Kelly Barnhill is known for her gift for sparkling prose, enchanting readers of all ages around the world.

But, almost exactly two years ago, the Newbery Award-winner suffered a serious concussion. The author of “The Girl Who Drank the Moon,” “The Ogress and the Orphans” and “When Women were Dragon” says she has no memory of what happened that day.

She does know she fell somehow and hit the back of her head. After the accident she realized to her horror she had lost her ability to write. Her recovery has been slow.

In November the New York Times published her essay about the experience. She told MPR News’ Euan Kerr the brain fog caused by the concussion meant it took months to write the piece.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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