Joanna was born and brought up in Kenya, East Africa. She travelled widely as a young adult and later, when married to a nautical Captain, sailed with him to many distant places, which stretched her imagination and gave her many ideas for her poetry. Becoming a dedicated Christian in the early 1980s, her poetry took on a different focus. Her hope is that people will be encouraged and challenged in their own life journey, while recognising that all good and gracious gifts come from the hand of a loving God who has a specific purpose and plan for each one of us.