Author fulfils lifelong dream

A writer has taken the plunge and published her first poetry book.

Joy Rooke first put pen to paper as a schoolgirl when she was asked to write a poem about Autumn. She embraced the challenge and has continued to write ever since.

Now she has reached retirement, Joy has plucked up the courage to showcase her work to a wider audience and is thrilled to see her book, My First Little Book Of Poetry, on sale.

Joy, of Lawrence Road, Wittering, said: “Initially I wouldn’t show my poems to anyone because I felt it was too personal, like baring your soul, but I’ve grown in confidence over the years, especially when people started asking me to write for them.”

Her inspiration comes and goes, sometimes writing frequently and other times not picking up a pen for months.

The themes of Joy’s work are varied, from relationships to nature. Friends and family have also started asking Joy to write poems for special occasions like weddings and retirement parties.

The published collection has about 40 poems which are all Joy’s own personal favourites. The 66-year-old said: “It’s wonderful to hold my own book in my hands.”

Joy lives by the motto ‘life is sweet, enjoy the adventure’ and finds lots of ways to fill her time since she retired from her job as a college lecturer four years ago.

She likes to play cards, enjoys ballroom dancing and is a member of the Stamford and Peterborough branches of the U3A. She also spends time with her daughter Emma and four-year-old grandson Harry who also live in Wittering.

Joy said: “I’m always busy and out every day. You have to make the most of your time.”

The book is on sale at Walkers Bookshop in Stamford where Joy will host a book signing tomorrow (Saturday, September 15) from 10am. It is also available on Amazon.

The book states: “Poetry has always been close to Joy’s heart and she has embraced it in times of exhilaration and conversely in times of deep sadness. The poetry selected for this slim volume demonstrates a life lived to the full.”