A creative writing course provided Joyce Head with the boost she needed, and changed her life in some unforeseen ways...
I will be 85 years old this year, and I’ve recently had my autobiography published. I thought that was it. But things keep happening and if it goes on like this I’ll have to write a sequel.
When my partner died in 2001 I felt lost and totally disorientated, and knew I had to find something to occupy my mind. I’d lost contact with friends and interests during his illness, and just felt tired and dispirited. During my working life I’d been an art tutor and loved inspiring and helping my students. Also preparing my own work for exhibitions had always kept me very busy. Suddenly there was nothing in my life. Just a blank space.
I knew I had to do something creative, but my brushes looked moth-eaten, and my paints had all dried up. Then one day I noticed an advertisement in the local paper for a creative writing course to be held just around the corner from my house. I decided to give it a try. I’d nothing to lose.
It was quite amazing the effect it had on me. I met new people of all ages, with different personalities and challenging ideas. I made new friends, and our tutor, Brendan McCusker kept us busy every week trying out different ways of writing. I felt my mind expanding, and I was too busy to sit around feeling sad.
The following year Brendan started an autobiography class as well. That was a challenge I couldn’t resist. It took me about seven years, but I finally completed my life-story, and found a publisher. That’s when all the fun began. I’ve met so many interesting people, and sold so many of my books I’ve had to have a reprint done.
My book is entitled The Sixteenth Child because that’s what my mother always called me. She was widowed in World War I and left with eight living children, no pension, and almost no income. My father was the brave man who came to her rescue, married her, and helped to bring the children up. I was the youngest of her second family, and the only one of that generation still alive.
I was just a schoolgirl when World War II broke out, and life in England changed forever. Little did I imagine then that I’d ever live in Germany, or travel to find long-lost cousins in the States, or have a house in France. . .
Looking back I realise I’ve had an interesting, varied life, and I’ve enjoyed reliving it. My advice to anyone feeling lost, lonely or sad is – start writing!
Joyce's book, 'The Sixteenth Child'.The front-cover image is taken from a fabric collage called 'My Garden' by Joyce.
