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Fort St. James library welcomes local author as writer in residence

From Nov. 15 – 19, local author, Joyce Helweg, was thrilled to be writer in residence at the Fort St. James Public Library.
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Joyce Helweg was Writer in Residence at the Fort St. James Public Library from Nov. 15 - 19.

Barbara Latkowski

Caledonia Courier

From Nov. 15 – 19, local author, Joyce Helweg, was thrilled to be writer in residence at the Fort St. James Public Library.

“I was so excited to share my experiences as a writer with the community and to encourage all other writers out there,” Helweg said.

Helweg recently released her newest book, Bucked Off.

The novel deals with grief but this wasn’t Helweg’s idea behind the book originally.

“It actually started off as humorous stories about my life. Then my husband passed away suddenly. The book then switched to be about both of our lives,” Helweg said.

“I cried a billion tears writing this but it was something I knew I had to do.”

For Helweg and for many others, writing is a release, a vehicle for self-expression and in her most recent book, she certainly does bare all.

“I put my heart on my sleeve when I wrote this,” Helweg said.

And for this local author, it’s also very much about helping other writers achieve their goals.

And this is why Helweg did not want to pass up the opportunity of being a writer in residence in her home town.

Throughout the week, Helweg was available during normal library hours at the Fort St. James Public Library where she was eager to talk to anyone interested about writing and publishing.

She was also happy to offer advice for those interested in starting a writer’s group.

“I even had a 12-year-old girl ask me for advice. She’s a writer and it was so exciting to hear about her writing and what interests her,” Helweg said.

“With self-publishing today, there are so many more opportunities available to writers. I’m always happy to help and encourage them.”