The Old Lady in my Bones
When I was in my thirties, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I started this blog to share my experiences living with RA, and how I live my best life in the face of chronic disease.
The summer is almost at its end. The days are getting shorter, the sunsets deeper, the lush green leaves are tinged with orange and a hint of crimson blushing around their edges. I look up at the sky, blue, with tiny wisps of clouds. I float on my back in the pool enjoying the peace of an early morning swim. There’s a small nip in the air, and the morning sunlight ripples across the light blue water in an iridescent…
Read MoreFor two years we have each lived in the circle of our own inner sanctums, leaving the big wide world on the outside. Now the world is trying to creep back in again, swirling with uncertainty and overwhelming us with how fast it’s moving, but instead of trying to keep up with it, or worrying about being left behind, I chose to step into the eye and focus on just one day – one perfect day in the storm.
Read MoreCorkboards and Coffee Houses
Welcome to my coffee house. This blog is about my writing life - the challenges, the success, the creative process and pushing through the blocks. This is my catapult to inspiration, a space where I can strengthen my writing muscles and share some insights on my process. So get comfortable, grab a hot cuppa, and let's talk about writing.
One of the many things I love about writing is reading the work of my peers and occasionally being asked to review it. It is a pleasure to review Crime Wave: Women of a Certain Age, the second anthology from the Canada West Chapter of Sisters in Crime. This anthology is a delight to read. The stories are captivating, pulling the reader into each vivid world. We become involved with each character, whether they are plotting revenge, escaping death, or…
Read MoreCelebrate that first draft of a novel. Celebrate finishing that short story. Celebrate that poem. Most of all, celebrate the time and the courage it took to sit down at the desk and do the work.
Read MoreEvent Magazine is produced from one of our local institutions, Douglas College. My poem, The Curtain Rises is about my great-grandmother and her life on the stage in the early 1900’s. I studied theatre at Douglas College after high school, so this poem in this magazine feels like the perfect match. You might even call it destiny.
Read MoreIf You Like What You See
Some people have inquired if there’s a place to donate on my blog. This is for those who would like to offer extra support for my work and I thank you for this.
A bigger thank you to all my readers who offer ongoing support simply by stopping by for a visit. I enjoy writing and interacting with you.
About me
J.G. Chayko is a writer, actress, and international arthritis advocate who’s been involved in theatre for more than 30 years and has published poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction.