Writing happier endings...
Writing happier endings...
A wee bit about me...
On my 40th birthday, I experienced my first symptoms, of what would later be diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis. Most of us are happily minding our own business, working hard at our careers and raising a family, with plans and dreams for the future, until something unexpected arrives; uninvited and unwelcome.
I was a Group Health and Safety Adviser for a multi-disciplinary engineering company when MS struck. I was concurrently a volunteer advanced First Aid Officer, and taught First Aid and Defib Operators courses.
As my mobility became affected, and fatigue and neuropathic pain arrived, as more lesions appeared on my brain and spine; I could no longer do the job I'd worked hard at, and loved so much.
I was devasted.
But we're only given one life, and I made a conscious decision to find something to keep me mentally interested and challenged. I decided to redefine the two innocuous letters 'M' and 'S' from meaning Multiple Sclerosis, to offering an opportunity to tell 'My Stories.' I soon learned that MS is an acronym for manuscript. It felt like a sign!
Years later, I now have secondary progressive MS, and I made a promise to myself. As my physical challenges increase, it results in reducing the size of my world. I will continue my writing for as long as I can, as it allows me to be part of a much bigger world; one filled with stories.
I'll always try to write happier endings...
Lorraine Johnston
You can contact me by email at writerlorrainejohnston@gmail.com
A very special book for Barassie Primary School!
Illustrated by Preston Asevedo.
LTG was my first children's book and it supported funds for two Charites; St.Thomas Community Health Center in New Orleans www.stthomaschc.org in it's 1st edition, and Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance in it's 2nd edition. https://www.scaa.org.uk/
Illustrated by Jane Cornwell
MacMoley Moves Home supported the Scottish Wildlife Trust from sales of each copy sold. www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Illustrated by Jane Cornwell
This is a collection of seven short stories from seven contributors, each with their own unique voice, that you can dip into and devour.
One story will take you somewhere and the next will hurl you somewhere entirely different.
Produced from a group of new creative writers, collated and edited by Lorraine Johnston, and gifted to The Friends of Dundonald Castle (SC031541). Copies of the book are available at Dundonald Visitor Centre and online, and 100% of all proceeds go to the charity. https://dundonaldcastle.org.uk/
Copies available at Dundonald Gift Shop or via Amazon below;
Illustrated by Jane Cornwell
WWW is an award winning story of The Scottish Association of Writers and is available at Foggie Toddle Bookshop in Wigtown.
https://foggietoddlebooks.co.uk/ or via Amazon below;
Walter's Wonky Web
Foggie Toddle Edition.
Walter's Wonky Web
Published by Second Sands Publishing
£6.99
Encourages children to believe that their best is more than good enough.
Great for reading and story-telling.
Has delightful and engaging illustrations.
Includes interesting facts about spiders.
Walter's friends all help out, including his imaginary friend.
Shows kindness and encouragement.