Someone new to the Scribbler this week.
I met Joyce at the GMRD book fair which took place last spring.
She kindly accepted my invitation to be our guest this week.
Read on, my friends
I was born and raised in the
beautiful province of Newfoundland. In my early twenties, I moved to Ontario,
where I spent over 25 years working as a personal support worker in long-term
care, providing compassionate, hands-on care to seniors to help them maintain
dignity and quality of life.
In 2020, the East Coast vibe
called my husband and me back, and we now call Quispamsis, New Brunswick, home.
We love the warmth and friendliness of the locals, the abundance of hiking
trails in the area, and the breathtaking beauty of the ocean. This environment,
along with my Newfoundland roots, also influences my creative writing style.
I’m a proud mother to my
non-binary child, H, and to my son, Patrick, and a Nana to six incredible
grandchildren. They continually remind me of the power of imagination, the
courage to embrace one’s true self, and the strength that comes from facing
life’s challenges head-on.
Book
title: The Rise of Little Bear.
Synopsis: In my
first book, Bray and the Adventures of Zorkon, Bray
and his friends, alongside a mysterious, riddle-speaking alien named Zork,
bravely face a bullying crisis at their school.
In my latest release in the
Zorkon series, The Rise of Little Bear, the story bursts into
a fast-paced fantasy adventure that captivates both middle-grade readers and
adults. Once again, Bray and his friends—joined by some intriguing new
characters—embark on an epic journey filled with courage, growth, and
self-discovery. This time, they confront a dangerous new threat: AI-driven
scavengers intent on stealing the powerful Zorkon crystals and seizing control
of the universe.
The
Story Behind the Story: As the
fifth oldest of fourteen siblings, my childhood was often shaped more by
responsibility than by carefree play. Each day was a whirlwind of
chores—washing endless dishes, helping with homework, and calming the chaos.
However, in those rare, stolen moments of silence, usually lying in bed after
my siblings had fallen asleep, I would craft magical worlds in my imagination,
where I became the hero, not the misfit, in my own story.
In 2014, after chronic back
issues forced me to leave my career, I shifted my focus to studying grief and
loss and childhood trauma, with the intent of becoming a counselor. During this
time, I had a revelation: What if the stories I write could have transformative
power? What if they could serve as tools for healing—offering a way for people
to process emotions that were too complex or overwhelming to put into words?
Suddenly, the quiet moments I
had once stolen between chores and homework as a child took on new meaning. The
worlds I had dreamt up were no longer escapes; they had become the foundation
of my journey as a writer.
In The Rise
of Little Bear, the protagonist, an adopted Métis boy, embarks on a journey to
reconnect with his identity and discovers that he is part of something far
greater than himself. As an Indigenous (Mi’kmaq) author who has recently come
to embrace and appreciate my heritage, it felt natural to guide the main
character on this path. While his journey differs from mine, it reflects the
profound experience of rediscovering one’s roots and the deep connection to
culture and identity that comes with it.
Cultural diversity and the
impact of bullying are very personal issues for me. Both experiences have
inspired me to create stories that go beyond simple adventure or fantasy. My
narratives address the pain of bullying, celebrate the strength found in diversity,
and delve into the complexities of self-identity. Through storytelling, I aim
to foster emotional growth and resilience in both children and adults. My
primary goal is not only to provide an escape from reality but also to offer a
mirror that reflects their feelings and experiences, helping them navigate the
sometimes painful, confusing journey of growing up.
In addition to being the author
of two middle-grade books, I’m also a blogger and write 3-4 articles a year for
Burns Mosa’s Roots and Wings, the church my husband and I attended while living
in Ontario.
Facebook Author page: Please go HERE.
A
question before you go, Joyce.
Scribbler: Who Was
Your Favourite Author or Story Growing Up?
Joyce: Looking
back, I realize that every twist, every challenge, and every unexpected detour
has shaped the writer I have become. The hardships I faced during my early
years taught me resilience, while the moments I spent escaping into magical
worlds ignited my imagination. Ultimately, leaving my career in healthcare
revealed that endings often disguise new beginnings and that paths we never
intended to take can lead to the most extraordinary destinations. For me, that
destination is the magical world of storytelling.
Excerpt
from The Rise of Little Bear
A rhythmic hum whoosh, hum whoosh beats in my head like a rapper’s soundtrack as I zoom past one
humming fluorescent light after another, landing on a cold, steel-ribbed tunnel
floor.
A bird’s shadow lies next to me.
“You better eat your food if you know what’s good for you,” a
gruff voice commands from the end of the tunnel.
Cling-clang echoes off the walls,
followed by fading footsteps, and then … an eerie silence.
A familiar sweet scent fills my nostrils as warm air brushes
against my ear.
“Store what you find deep inside your mind. It will be a guide
for another time,” Zork whispers.
I clumsily spin around, but no one’s there.
“That was weird and creepy,” I mutter.
Zork’s fading voice replies, “I’m here to prepare you, not to
scare you.”
“Uh? Prepare me? For what, Zork?”
“Follow the ravens’ lead, and you will surely
succeed.”
The shadow spreads its wings. Swish,
swish, swish. I lift off the floor, glide
down the tunnel, and then swoop back to the ground.
There’s that bird’s shadow again. I can’t seem to shake
it.
To my left, someone walks away, swinging what looks like a
lantern. In front of me is a dead-end with a steel grating. I glance around.
The coast is clear, so I hop closer to the grating and peer inside.
“Is anyone there?” I ask in a low voice.
“Bray, you’ve come on the wings of my friend,” a faint voice
says.
“Mya!” I gasp.
My heart races as I struggle to escape. I kick and punch at the
soft material that wraps around me like mummy cloth. Finally, I break free into
the light of day and realize the “tomb” is just my bedcovers.
“Oh man, another Zork dream,” I groan, still panting from the
battle beneath my blankets.
“Wait! That was Mya’s
voice. There’s no mistaking it. She’s alive! But … was I a raven?”
Buy the book HERE.
Thank you for being our guest this week, Joyce. We wish you continued success with your writing.
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And a HUGE thank you to
all out visitors and readers.
Feel free to leave a
comment below.