Constable writes to connect with crowds

Hally Willmott is not just a uniform.

While she has spent nearly two decades with the Greater Sudbury Police Service, and is enthusiastic about her role as a school recourse officer, it's not what defines her.

She is a wife, a mom and a brand-new author.

On June 14 and 15, she is officially launching her debut novel with a book signing at Chapters. Awakenings literally came to her in a dream. It's the first in a series of four novels where 16-year-old Jacey Adison discovers where she comes from, and just how unique she is.

The Adisons have been running from a sect of non-humans from the mysitcal dimension of Nemele, giving up their own powers to keep Jacey safe. The girl was born “as an anomaly,” possessing rare abilities that both the virtuous and corrupt seek for their own use.

“It follows her journey,” Willmott said. “She's a magical being.”

Willmott is hoping her exploration into young adult fantasy fiction will make her even more relevant to the youth she with whom she interacts on a regular basis, reaffirming again that she is in fact a real person — and not just an authority figure.

“Police aren't just a uniform,” she said.

As she relays this message to young people, Willmott said they are typically open-minded to the concept.

“A lot of them are really inquisitive,” she said. “A lot of them really like that you're approachable.”

It's another way she is able to reach out to young people, to remind them that she and other officers are real people.

“It shows I'm human,” she said.

While she is standing up for justice and all things good, much like Jacey, Willmott's and Adison's stories aren't otherwise connected by much. They both spent their adolescents moving quite a bit — which is where Willmott found her passion for pages.

“Growing up, I read a lot,” she said. “Reading was my way to escape everything. Reading was the only constant in my life.”

It was those days spent with her nose in a book that propelled her love of literature. When the idea struck her — and wouldn't leave her alone — it was time to turn a far-off dream into a reality.

“If you want to do it, go out and do it,” she said. “Dream big.”

Willmott is now working on the next book in the series. Much like the first, it's coming together on its own accord.

“I don't have anything plotted out,” she said. “It writes itself.”

To pick up a copy of Awakenings, and learn more from the first-time author, stop by Chapters between 6-8 p.m. June 14 or 2-4 p.m. June 15.

For more information, visit hallywillmott.com.