Part of what I love about doing these interviews is that I can visit people in their ‘habitat’. Finding Joylene in Bucerias, Mexico was quite an adventure too. She lived at that time in a beautiful Mexican apartment, with 2 bedrooms, living room and the kitchen. On one side the view was opening up to the Pacific ocean side, on the other side to the main highway. All the interior was very Mexican, with lots of colors, artifacts and Mexican furniture. It felt very homey there. She took out her home made guacamole and I knew I should not even touch it before we are done, as it looked so delicious and I knew I would not able to stop eating it. 

I met Joylene during our writers group in La Cruz and from the moment I met her, I instantly liked her. What is there not to like? She has a very bubbly energy, so full of joy and wisdom and seems so caring and loving in so many ways. For me this was like starting to read a new book – once you start you can not put down any more. It is just so exciting. Every word coming out of her mouth is like piece of gold. 

After doing this interview I bow even more down to her, hearing about what she has been through and that she has been able to get through it and still smile and enjoy her life to the fullest. I hope this will inspire each reader to make the necessary changes in their life to live a life which feels fulfilling and maybe even buy her books!

Please read, comment and share, as this is one of the ways to spread good energy, frequencies and uplift the world!

Joylene shares stories about her personal roots and childhood influences.

“Most of my childhood I felt like an outsider. As if I was adopted. I didn’t fit in with my family and their many talents. I couldn’t swim, I couldn’t sing, I couldn’t draw, play the piano, skate, knit, sew, play the guitar.

I exhibited some of my dad’s traits, the class clown, the ranch hand. Never afraid to shovel manure or work outside in mud up to my knees. My siblings teased that I was adopted. I believed them until I was eleven and could finally see the resemblance with my parents. I could still never figure out why I was talentless.

When I turned eight my mother gave me my first diary. Writing breathed life into me. I sat alone for hours pouring my heart and soul into that little book. By fourteen I had graduated to journals. I still write in my journal everyday. At no time did I then or do I now feel more alive than when I’m writing. My mother told me that when I was barely talking, I’d stand on the hearth, rock back and forth, and tell tall tales to company until she’d rescue them by putting me to bed.

I thought I was destined to be an actress. Then I read Bleeding Heart by Marilyn French. I was transformed. All I could think was: I want to do that, write a book and move people with my prose.

In 1980 my dad passed away. He was 56. I was devastated. I cried for a year. I couldn’t imagine life without him. Who would save me? Who would protect me?

I wasn’t a child and I knew I would survive, but I thought maybe if I wrote his story, he could live forever. I bought an old IBM typewriter, sat up nights after my sons were asleep, and began writing my first novel, Always Father’s Child. Seven years later, I typed “The End.”

It was a badly written novel that would never see the light of day, but that was okay because I was hooked. I immediately began my second manuscript Dead Witness. I had studied literature at Simon Fraser University and thought, how hard can it be to write a decent novel?

Apparently, very hard.

Lucky for me my middle name is STUBBORN. (not really)

But stubborn I am.

In 1975 one of my English Lit professors told me I couldn’t write, shouldn’t write. He advised I go home and have more babies.

After twenty-two revisions, Dead Witness was published in 2008, twenty-six years after I started. I wish I could have hunted him down and slapped him silly with my newly published softcover.

Not only was I not adopted, turns out I come from a long line of storytellers, on both sides of my family. Losing my dad made me realize that. Though neither of my parents lived to see me published, they were instrumental in teaching me to be me, no matter what that meant.

My siblings, my parents, my husband, sons, friends, each of them has inspired me in a huge way. It’s their love that got me through the darkness moments and made me believe I could do anything. Even write a book.”

What is your biggest dream in your life right now?

That someone would invent a pill you could take so it didn’t matter what you ate. You’d never gain weight. Cheesecake for breakfast, cheesecake for lunch, cheesecake for dinner! Bring it on!

I have lots of dreams. I hope I always do. For now, I’d like to live in Mexico full time. Summer—bring it on! I’d like to walk the beach, work on my next novel while my husband sits a few feet away reading. I’d like to savor the sweet smells of winter flowers. I want to live in a Tennessee William’s play.

I’d like to see one of my novels turned into a movie. I know two authors fortunately enough to experience that. Without too much guessing, I’m going to assume it was a truly awesome experience.

Another huge dream: having my entire family visiting me here in Bucerias, Mexico. The chaos would be wonderful.

Your key to live your life on your terms?

I believe you are what you think. If what I’m thinking causes me to feel bad about myself or anyone else, then I owe it to me to stop thinking that. I’m embarrassed to admit how many years it took me to figure this out. Too many.

My brother once told me the thing my dad admired most about me was that no matter how many times I got knocked down, I always got up again. This has had a huge impact on my life.

Why am I here?

To be happy.

How do I do that?

By listening to my inner being.

When I’m about to do something that makes me hesitate, I ask myself one simple question. Will it make me happy? If it won’t, I don’t do it.

I’m not talking about being selfish or cruel or unforgiving. If I’m truly happy in whatever I’m doing, everyone I love benefits. Conversely, same goes for what I’m thinking. When things aren’t going well and I’m sad or feeling bad, I ask myself:

Does this particular thought make me feel worthy?

If it doesn’t, it’s out of here. (Here being my head).

When I get depressed or overwhelmed, (and I do) I eventually see it as a sign that I’m out of alignment with my inner being. I stop focusing on the pain or the mood—and smile. And I don’t mean a small grin. I mean a big… wide… S M I L E.

Think I’m nuts? Try it next time you’re feeling bad. You don’t have to conjure up a reason. You don’t need a pill, or a drug, or a drink. Just stop what you’re thinking and smile for absolutely no reason at all.

Works for me every single time. In fact, I’ve been known to smile like a dumb-ass.

What has been your hardest moment in your life and how did you get through it?

Losing my dad when I was 30. Then we lost Jack in 1991 in a car accident. He was 23. I couldn’t breath. I lost my faith. It took months before I could function. But I had four more children and a husband that needed me. So I turned to writing. I expressed my sorrow through made-up stories. Fifteen years later I was finally at the point where I truly believed I’d come to terms with Jack’s death—and we lost his twin. Jody died at 39. Bad heart.

I knew I couldn’t work through it so I went to group therapy. Then I read Sylvia Brown. Then I studied Eastern religions. Today I know our twins have moved on to another dimension. Call it heaven, or whatever. Their spirits are fully engaged somewhere else. Death was not their end.

It’s difficult to feel sorry for yourself having lost a beloved child when you come to realize they’re just not here where I can see them. They’re there.

If you’ve ever been with someone when they passed over, you felt the energy that was them leave their body, filled the space around you, and moved on. You may even have heard their spirit leave their body. Of course, I still grieve. But I’m grateful every day for having loved them, even though it wasn’t long enough.

I’m a better person for having loved them.

What has been the most inspiring moment in your life?

Being a mother. Nothing like it. Having children is akin to drowning in love. Being a mother changed me forever. I can’t imagine anything more powerful than my feelings for my sons.

Getting published was definitely special. I spent years, almost 30, dreaming about being published, aching to be publishing. Begging to be published. I walked through a bookstore once with my best friend, we were 700k from my house. She looked up and saw two of my novels on the shelf and yelled. Scared me to death. I turned around to see her pointing at my books. It was surreal! Luckily, she had her camera with her.

Your relation to money?

I like money. I like how it fits nicely in my hand. I like wads of money. I like how it smells. I like it when the bills are brand new. Crisp. I like it when they’re old and you could iron them back to their original state, but don’t because your family looks at you weird.

The best thing about money: The more you get will not in any way take away from others getting their share. There is plenty of money to go around, and there always will be. You having it doesn’t affect me having it, and vice versa. Isn’t that marvellous!

What is financial independence for you?

I haven’t given it any thought. That is amazing. I guess I must be okay. I’m not rich by any means, but I never do without. My husband worries sometimes. I tell him, “When have we ever not had enough? If we need money for this or that, notice how it find its way to us? Worrying is silly, don’t you think?”

How do you maintain yourself?

My husband receives a nice pension, plus he’s always got some job on the go. He does lot clearing with his bulldozer and dump-truck. He sells firewood. The guy is 70 and he’s more energized than most men half his age. I receive a small pension and the odd royalty cheque. Not that long ago, I received a cheque for $21.75 from ebook sales of Dead Witness. I bought more books!

I’d like to downsize, get my teeth fixed, maybe get prescriptive glasses instead of these drugstore ones, get a funky hairstyle. I’m thinking purple and lime green highlights. What do you think? Be honest.

—

I want to thank my readers. I’ve heard from a few over the year; I’ve had the honour of meeting some. Not for one moment have I forgotten about them. I think of them every time I sit down to work on a manuscript. I’m not a writer without them.

I’m certainly not published without them. They have my gratitude and respect always.

Though my novels centre around dark subject matter, (the complexities of the parent/child relationship, death, cruelty) my stories will always have hope.

People pay good money for my books and I think I owe it to them to entertain, amuse, scare, tantalize, and leave them wanting more.

I get ribbed about living in Bucerias, Mexico – six months of the year. I know how fortunate I am. I never take anything for granted.

I also believe that anybody can be as blessed as I am. You just have to believe you’re worthy. You have to know that you being happy doesn’t take a way from anyone being happy. There’s plenty to go around.

Anything else?

All my life my motto has been: Never give up and never surrender. But above this, I can’t say it enough. Our purpose here is to be happy. If this makes anyone frown, maybe it’s time to stop and ask themselves: Why shouldn’t I be happy?

How do you know Crystal?