Books: Writing turns page on cancer

Local author Jan Goldie was told creativity would be the first thing to go out the window when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Photo/supplied

A writer finds the path to healing in what she does best, writes Sarah Bunker

What does a swirling vortex have to do with surviving breast cancer?

Everything if you're local writer Jan Goldie.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, Jan was told creativity would be the first thing to go out the window. With an operation, the treatment and shock, the Papamoa mother of two resigned herself to the fact her passion for writing would take a back seat.

"At first, it was true - I wasn't really in the mood to pick up a pen or hit the keyboard, but as the post-op healing began and radiation therapy loomed, I returned to the book I'd started writing months earlier, as an escape," says Jan, whose fantasy adventure for young teens, Brave's Journey has just hit the shelves. "Having that focus, creating characters in a faraway world and interacting with other writers, editors and mentors was an invaluable distraction."

Brave's Journey is a quirky story about a teenage boy who is sucked into a swirling vortex only to discover the true power of nature in a magical, alternative world. Jan, the first Kiwi author to be signed up by Australian publisher IFWG, says writing Brave's Journey was one of the most challenging and frustrating things she's ever done.

"Throwing myself into writing was part of the healing process. It directed my attention away from my body and all that was going on there," she says. "Even if you don't think of yourself as creative, we all have the power to create in some way whether it's cooking, gardening or dancing around the lounge. Being creative is a part of everyday life; a life I'm so grateful to still be living!"

Lea Lehndorf is someone else who's seen how powerful creativity can be in the healing process in her role as Service Manager at Tauranga Breast Cancer Support.

"Art therapy has been well-documented as being helpful in managing a cancer diagnosis.
We've seen ladies release anger, gain confidence and be honest with themselves through 'letting it all out' on paper."

Brave's Journey is available at selected Paper Plus stores, independent bookshops and online at www.jangoldie.com.