Joy Hedges Tells Us Why Getting Published Was A Dream Come True!
A lifetime's inspiration by God, in nature, and life experiences is captured in around 50 articles authored by Joy Hedges in 'Just A Thought' book, published by CWR. The title is derived from a regular column she had in a free Winchester newspaper, which originally saw the articles reach the public. But a fascinating story of overcoming illness, getting saved and a fulfilled desire to be a published writer lies behind this inspiring book full of lovely themes.
(PICTURES: JOY'S BOOK, WINCHESTER, THE BORDER COMMON RIDINGS, ARCH BISHOP OF CANTERBURY LORD GEORGE CAREY)
"The 50 articles are like a pot pourri really of stories, they are all true. Some are my own stories." says Joy.
With themes of nature, people overcoming difficulties and bouncing back, death and bereavement, this book seems to offer the stuff of real life with a sensitively written and moving accent.
Originally from Tavistock in Devon, Joy moved aged three and a half when her dad was appointed first ever chaplain at Queen's College Taunton to Somerset. The family moved again when Joy was around 13 and she has lived in a plethora of cities including; Bristol, Edinburgh, London and Bournemouth, before living in Winchester for 21 years.
"I decided I'd had enough of city life and wanted to get back to country life and 
thought of Somerset. I wanted to come back as I spent my formative childhood years here. I trusted the Lord, so dropped everything when I felt He called me to move and He even told me what to pack and where to come.
"I'd just read a parable by Brother Roger of the Taize Community and the last line said: 'Don't waste time in dead-end situations. Move on unhesitatingly to the essential step and quickly.'"explains Joy of her final move to Bath.
"I knew I had to be near the Monkton Combe Valley. And so here I am."
Joy who has had a lifelong passion for writing and enjoyed many encouragements to write, was not always a Christian despite her father's occupation. And she became born again aged 40 she says.
"I was converted during a Christmas carol service at a local Anglican church, which was very evangelical. Very keen on anything where we get together. Bath is good in that way.
"I went from the Methodist Church I grew up in to the Anglican Church and I simply felt Jesus' presence; I knew He was alive, and alive personally for me. I later found out that a couple of friends had prayed daily that I would know the Lord. George Carey was a big influence."
Joy went on to be confirmed in March 1983. Her mother was present and she appointed two Scottish authors - Angus MacVicar and a blind author friend of Joy's - to be her godparents.
Her conversion added an extra dimension to her passion for writing, she admits.
"English was one of my favourite subjects and my parents had lots of books on poetry in the house, my Dad read poetry beautifully. I wrote my first poems when aged 19 living in London. They were questioning and satirical. I suppose I went through a rebellious phase. I tried but didn't get success in being published in my 20's.
"I went up to Edinburgh when 32 and fell in love with the Scottish countryside. My first article on Blair Atholl was published in a magazine for Scottish tourism." says Joy.
"Then I rode in the historic Border Common Ridings and did a write up which took 10 attempts to get into Scottish Field."
It was by 2000 Joy's 'break' into the professional world of publishing came with the News Extra, a Winchester free newspaper when she was commissioned to fill her 'Just A Thought' column on a regular basis. This fine, inspiring fodder proved so popular that it was selected to become a book, 20 monthes after Joy's initial approach to CWR nine years later.
"I contacted CWR in September 2009 and sent a dozen articles and a dozen poems. I have never prayed so hard for anything in my life. I knew God's gift for me was to write poetry and prose, particularly for unbelievers. I think God made me wait because of pride.
"When it finally got published this year, I went down on my knees and said thank you Lord.
"There is a lot of history; people, places, people who've come through suffering and come back... I've written about death. My Dad had a very very positive attitude to death. He said 'don't mourn me but give thanks for the wonderful life I had'." says Joy.
Published in 14 countries, she describes the book as a wonderful gift.
"When writing I feel totally absorbed, I've been terribly lonely in my life - I had no brothers or sisters - wh
ich I longed for, and didn't marry which I also longed for. I think writing is God's gift to me." says Joy.
She has overcome a previously debillitating illness - been healed - to create this beautifully written book. Encouraged by friends like George Carey and Jennifer Rees Larcombe to follow her heart and pursue writing.
"My hope for people reading the book is that it will help people find God." says Joy.