Joy Norstrom, a hilarious writer, an affectionate wife, a supportive mother, and an amazing social worker! These all describe Joy but overall she is a one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable, awesome person. Born and raised in Leduc, Joy has always enjoyed telling stories. In her early teen years she moved to Calgary. Some of the things she taught me, her daughter, were to not judge a person on how they act because we do not know what’s happening in their home. She also taught me to be the friend to the people who don’t have friends. Passionate about social justice, Joy has become a social worker, and on the side a humorous writer. She is also super cool and supportive mother of two amazing daughters.
Written by Mia Joyce (age 13, daughter of Joy Norstrom)
When I first become serious about writing my children were young and I told my husband I needed a “laptop that would fit into a diaper bag.” My laptop still travels with me throughout the week, although I’ve long since been able to ditch the diaper bag. I do a lot of writing on the pool deck wherever my daughter trains, or in coffee shops nearby.When I’m writing at home I pick a comfortable space as I’m sure to have visitors. It’s a good thing most of my visitors enjoy napping as it helps with productivity!I currently attend the Alexandra Writers Center Association’s Short Story Salon on Sunday mornings. It’s been great to ‘zoom in’ during the pandemic and participate from home. The instructor provides various prompts and we have a chance to stretch our writing skills and get feedback on new ideas. I encourage anyone interested in writing to check out their programs. It is a great local organization that is soon to celebrate their 40th anniversary supporting Calgary area writers.As a writer I do a fair amount of reading. While I certainly read for enjoyment, it’s also a good way to see what other writers do in terms of story structure, plot and character development. I also enjoy attending author readings. Here I am with a close friend at a Wordfest event to hear from some of our favourite Canadian authors, Susin Neilson and Emma Donoghue.I’m also an active user of the Calgary Public Library. It’s great that members can borrow all kinds of materials including ebooks and audiobooks. I love listening to audiobooks with my family on road trips. I’m occasionally asked if writers are compensated when readers check their books out of the library instead of buying a copy. Authors with books in libraries can receive financial compensation through the Canadian Council for the Arts, so never feel bad about borrowing books. Libraries are great assets for readers and writers alike!I have also appreciated the support of other libraries in Alberta, whether it’s to come and talk with their patrons or having my book included in their collections. Here I am at the Lethbridge Library, at an event celebrating their Indie Author CollectionI enjoy speaking with readers at schools, bookstores and book clubs. One book club I attended even made food inspired by my debut novel! It really touched me as a writer. Another book club invited me to become one of their regular members, an offer which I happily accepted. It’s such a treat being included in a community of readers who are passionate about books!I’m looking forward to the release of my second novel, Flying the Nest, which is a contemporary story about community and relationships.
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What neighbourhood do you live in?
I live in Parkland. I’ve lived and worked in many neighbourhoods throughout Calgary, and what I love about Parkland is the many connections between community members. For me, a neighbourhood becomes a home when people know each other and watch out for each other.
What do you do?
Writing is somewhere on the spectrum between ‘hobby’ and ‘career’ for me. It requires more time, energy and skill than an average pastime, and yet it’s not quite an occupation either. I am also a registered social worker in community development. I love my day job because I am passionate about social inclusion and get to have an integral role in building a more just society. Because I believe storytelling is a powerful tool for building empathy and understanding, splitting my time between these two vocations is a great way to keep my creative and grounded.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on edits for my second novel, Flying the Nest, which will be published by Dixi Books later this year. Editing is a process that involves sharpening and clarifying what you’ve accomplished in earlier drafts. By working with other people you get outside eyes on your work and that can really help in identifying gaps or inconsistencies that are hard to catch as the writer.
Where can we find your work?
My debut novel, Out of Play, was published in 2016 by Crooked Cat Books and is available on Amazon, or on BookShop and is also easily accessible at the Calgary Public Library. My upcoming title, Flying the Nest, will be published by Dixi Books in November 2020.
