All My Life’s a Circle – I grew up in the world of books. Like Lis, the main protagonist in my novel, The Call, my family was not exactly what it seemed. But every Friday evening brought a trip to the Library and books were magic. I would get lost in them. The world around me receded as I was transported by the Brothers Grimm, or caught in the web of other Fairy Tales and Folklore.
Mr. Lee, my Seventh Grade English teacher kept a library corner with a comfy chair. If you finished your work, books were the reward for a job well done. There I read Little Women and found a connection to Jo March, who also felt out of sync with her family and her world, more connected to the worlds she entered in books and through her writing. I loved her independence and courage. Since my name carried a common root with hers, I chose Jo for a nickname. It felt like a promise.
Then in college, where I studied English, wrote poetry, read J.R.R. Tolkien, and planned a Journalism career, I met Doug, my own ‘Aragorn.’ Probably one of the most important things we shared was the belief that we were alive for a reason. We wanted our lives to have meaning and we wanted to leave the world a better place because we had been in it. So, Doug went to seminary, and for a while, my life took a u-turn into marriage and teaching English, and then being home with children.
When I re-entered the wider world, I wanted to find that way to live what my book describes as “a call to higher purpose.” I got a Masters in Social Work from Syracuse University, managed a large Family Service Division with multiple services and had a small part-time therapy practice. My creativity was directed toward developing programs and services to reach people others thought little of, the homeless, battered women, foster children, struggling parents, the mentally ill, juvenile delinquents. Overall people have been my passion.
Writing then was grants to get program budgets, or money for a building, or for VISTA volunteers. There is nothing like the carrot/stick of funds received or not to quickly improve writing, especially when others’ lives and jobs are on the line.
But just like Lis, The Call’s main character (modeled on Caroline, my oldest grand daughter with a bit of me mixed in), at the back of my mind, I still kept hearing a different call. Then my kids finished school and moved to North Carolina, and time suddenly was available just for me. I began seeking more knowledge about my family history, and by implication, myself. That took me to researching Poland and resurrected the idea of writing. Finally, everything came full circle. I began the Prologue and the First Chapter and The Call began to live as an epic fantasy with folklore elements set in 1446 Poland. Unknown to Lis, she is one of the Hidden and she is about to be caught up in the political struggle over who will become king…but more about that on the page on The Call.
Family is the center of me and that has brought me to North Carolina. Here, I have worked in public health and at a community college. Here, I finished my book, joined a writer’s group, and was told to be a writer you need a social platform. So that is this blog, and if my book is ever published, someone may read this. Or perhaps you will happen upon this blog from some other direction. However you get here, you are welcome!
My blog is like me, full of many interests, struggling with life. I am an optimist who has had the blessings of a diverse life experience. I am many things, open to all kinds of hopes and possibilities. I am a person of faith. I believe we all have a purpose and are happiest when we find it.
So, if you harbor an interest in writing and that’s why you’re here I hope my struggles with and, hopefully, learning about writing will be useful to you. Here for a different reason? I hope reading my blog will touch you in some way. Broader than that, I hope in between the lines I share on lessons gleaned from my experiences will be insights for you and for me on life in general. And if life is pulling you toward something, even if you are struggling to find what it is, especially if it’s in a different direction from what you are currently doing, my wish for you is that your path leads you to find and fulfill your call. Jo
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joanneeddy's blog 
Happy Monday! I nominated you for a Sunshine award today. 🙂
The “rules” are here: http://cathywritesfantasy.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/sunshine-award/
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Thank you so much, Cathy! I am honored. Your words about Frisco moved me so much, and connected so well to how I felt about losing Raen. And how amazing that we both write fantasy!
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Your words are very inspiring. I wish you the best of luck that your book gets published! 🙂
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Hey Joan, we saw your post in WP.com’s forum and since the thread is already closed, we thought we could reach you through your blog, right here!
The thing is, Zemanta unfortunately doesn’t work in the WordPress’s default Dashboard anymore, but can be easily re-installed via our browser extension.
It comes with all the features you’re already used to (images, in-text links, related posts & tags) and is really easy to set it up. Just follow the link to our downloads page and install the appropriate extension for your browser.
Here’s the link: http://zem.si/PqCSDD
And please do let me know how it goes or if you have any more questions what-so-ever, since I’ll be more than glad to help you out!
Here’s my email address: support[at]zemanta[dot]com
Take care & I’m looking forward to your reply!
Best,
Silvo
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Thanks, Silvo – I got it done!
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I love love love that you married your Aragorn! Ha ha. That made me laugh and yet I totally get it. Wonderful 🙂
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He really is! Sounds like you husband is also pretty great…encouraging and supportive of your leaving for writing-pretty lucky ladies are we!
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Ah yes. I think Randy likes it when I’m writing. Keeps me out of his hair 🙂
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We share a love of books and writing, as well as faith ❤
I have thought about a book for many years but find the task a daunting one. My idea has been to get as much down in writing in one place as possible as a START, but I do not know if the book will ever actually materialize 😉
Ann
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Somehow I just got back to this. Don’t give up! I do think the hardest part is starting. I love Stephen King’s book about writing and he says to just write something every day and sooner or later you’ll get there. I was “lucky” to have gotten laid off in the 2008 economic downturn…and no job for a year…so I finished the book. Now if I can just get an agent interested!
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Jo, so very nice to meet you. I enjoyed reading about you and thank you for visiting my blog today. Have a happy day! 🙂
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What a wonderful introduction to YOU! Thank you for your recent visit to my blog…your words are very refreshing to read. Yes, I think that we each have a purpose …and are called to bring forth life…You certainly lived what you believe—and I am sure it had its moments–but you have a strong spirit …you give me courage! As I am sure your words do for others! Blessings!
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Thank you so much for your kind words! And thanks for coming to see me and following me!
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Jo, You have had an interesting journey so far. That makes for wonderful stories, so, I’m looking forward to The Call and in reading more of your posts today. Clare
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My goodness, Clare! You really have immersed in my posts. Sure hope they are what you expected! Thanks for all the likes!
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Jo, Yes, it’s like reading a biography. Since I already know about 2016, I wanted to find out what led up to today. I really enjoyed my morning with you. But, I still have a few years to go. Clare
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Ah…just what the wicked fiend needed…a glutton for punishment! And…I will still be alive at the end…. 🙂
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Amen!
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Hi Joan! I landed here from Lynn’s blog. Happy to meet you, and looking forward to exploring. Marina
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Glad to meet you, Marina. It was sweet of Lynn to connect to my post. I will come “visit” you, too!
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Love this Jo. I started to blog as a platform for my book – soon to be self published. However, blogging has taken on a life of its own and is way beyond what I imagined…
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That’s why I started mine, but you’re right. I found I really enjoy it and the people who “visit” and then getting to know them through their blogs. It really is enjoyable. Thanks for coming to visit! Jo
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I finally made it here, after promising myself to do just that for several weeks. It’s a pleasure to meet you and get to know you like this. We do seem to have a lot in common 🙂 Like you, I enjoy blogging – so much more than I ever expected to!
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Joanne I would like to comment on your mocking bird post but could find no comment space.
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My blog is Word press. And I think they are having some issues as I’ve struggled to comment on some of the other WordPress bloggers in Senior Salon
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Oh dear! I’ve had a few issues with WordPress too. I loved your mocking bird post – so informative. You worked the analogy beautifully. I think the whole world despairs of the Trump factor. Let’s hope his election result doesn’t live up to his name.
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I hope this tape that just came out is the finish of him. He is so despicable and so uninformed the idea of him as president is scary.
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I am totally flummoxed that he ever became a nominee.
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Me, too.
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I meant to ask:what is Senior Salon?
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Oh a linkage site I was invited to. I thought you might have found me through it
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I think you might have commented on one of my posts and recognising a kindred spirit, I followed you up through the comment. I just tried your address through my browser but still no space for comments.
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That’s for keeping me aware of this. WordPress and I are trying to fix this. Jo
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Did you get to the post by InLinkz? If so you could try going to the blog by searching or putting in your browser http://www.joanneeddy.com. If you do could you let me know the outcome. Then I can contact WordPress
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I came to the post through ‘Reader – manage my sites’
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Oh. Good to know, Robyn. So maybe it is WordPress. I am going to contact support. Thanks for being persistent and letting me know! Jo
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Anytime. Good luck with it.
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😊
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Hi, I’m glad I stumbled upon your beautiful blog! It’s nice to connect with you. Jenny
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Hi Jennie, so glad you made it to my blog, and liked it! Nice to ‘meet’ you…Jo
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Nice to meet you too, Jo!
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