Joan Evans

Writing came as naturally to me as breathing. From as early as I can remember, my parents introduced me to books. They recited poetry and read me stories and plays; not just any story, but great literary pieces like the works of Longfellow, Wadsworth, Shakespeare, and Dickens. So as soon as I could read and write for myself, I began trying to write poems like the ones I had heard. At six years old, one of my poems was published in my Primary School's Christmas magazine. I have been writing ever since.

My latest book is my most personal piece of work yet. It is a memoir about my family's struggle with the ugly reality of Dementia. For five decades, members of my family, beginning with my grandmother, have been affected, and I talk about the experiences and what it has been like for other family members who have served as caregivers and me.