The Memoir Land Author Questionnaire #139: Halina St. James
"When I learned the truth of my mother’s life, it explained a lot about mine, and set me on a path towards healing and forgiveness."
Since 2010, in various publications, I’ve interviewed authors—mostly memoirists—about aspects of writing and publishing. Initially I did this for my own edification, as someone who was struggling to find the courage and support to write and publish my memoir. I’m still curious about other authors’ experiences, and I know many of you are, too. So, inspired by the popularity of The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire, I’ve launched The Memoir Land Author Questionnaire.
Here’s the 139th installment, featuring Halina St. James, author of The Golden Daughter: My Mother’s Secret Past as a Ukrainian Slave Worker in Nazi Germany. - Sari Botton
P.S. Check out all the interviews in The Memoir Land Author Questionnaire series.
Halina St. James is a former international TV News journalist from Canada, whose assignments included Iraq during the first Gulf War, the Romanian Revolution, and five Olympic Games. When she retired from journalism she became a presentations skills coach and professional speaker. Halina relied heavily on her journalistic skills when researching material for her book, The Golden Daughter. Halina lives with her husband on a peaceful island in Tantallon, Nova Scotia, Canada. When she’s not writing, she’s gardening and ballroom dancing. There are more details about Halina and the book at www.halinastjames.com.
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How old are you, and for how long have you been writing?
I’m 78. I’ve been writing since I was about 50.
What’s the title of your latest book, and when was it published?
The Golden Daughter: My Mother’s Secret Past as a Ukrainian Slave Worker in Nazi Germany. It was published August 5, 2025.
What number book is this for you?
The Golden Daughter is my first memoir. Previously I’ve written a children’s book and six how-to books about my “Talkitout Technique” when I was a presentation skills coach.
My mother rarely talked about her childhood and her wartime experiences, and she would never talk about my birth father, who she left when I was 4 years old. I only discovered my mother’s secret past after she died and I found her letters, 55 in all, written in Russian and Polish. I was stunned by what I read. The letters provided enough of a frame work to allow me to construct a detailed timeline of her life, and some first-hand testimony about her experiences.
How do you categorize your book—as a memoir, memoir-in-essays, essay collection, creative nonfiction, graphic memoir, autofiction—and why?
I think of The Golden Daughter as part memoir, part creative nonfiction. My mother rarely talked about her childhood and her wartime experiences, and she would never talk about my birth father, who she left when I was 4 years old. I only discovered my mother’s secret past after she died and I found her letters, 55 in all, written in Russian and Polish. I was stunned by what I read. The letters provided enough of a frame work to allow me to construct a detailed timeline of her life, and some first-hand testimony about her experiences.
With my research in Germany and Poland, and in Northern Ontario, I was able to find records of her life, and records of the experiences of other slave workers. Where there were gaps, I was able to construct what I believe is an accurate representation of how my mother would have reacted. What is not imagined is the historical truth about the war and post-war life in Canada as a Displaced Person (DP) and of course, the impact my mother’s experiences had on me. When I learned the truth of my mother’s life, it explained a lot about mine, and set me on a path towards healing and forgiveness.
What is the “elevator pitch” for your book?
How a bundle of secret letters in Russian led me to the truth about my mother’s wartime ordeal, to the unmarked grave of the father I never knew, and to a family in Poland I never knew I had.
What’s the back story of this book including your origin story as a writer? How did you become a writer, and how did this book come to be?
As a child I adored my mother. All I wanted to do was make her happy. But later the relationship deteriorated. She had her secrets, and she wasn’t going to share them with me. She would never tell me about her family, her past, or my birth father. When I found the letters, after she died, my first instinct was to throw them out. I’m glad I didn’t. The letters tell not only my mother’s story, but the story of more than 5 million men, women, and children who were seized by the Nazis and forced to work as slaves.
I was never interested in writing. Secretly I didn’t think I was any good at it. In my early 20s, an astrologer told me I was a late bloomer and I would write a book. “Hah.”I said. “That’ll never happen.” Then in my 50s I began writing and self-publishing how-to books (6), and a children’s book. I found myself taking writing courses.
Then my mother died and I found her secret letters. This was the impetus to start. First, I went to Germany, to Northern Ontario, and to Poland following clues in mama’s letters and documents. I began witting in 2022. After only nine chapters, the House of Anansi Press asked to publish me in June 2023. I was 76 years old. The astrologer was right.
What were the hardest aspects of writing this book and getting it published?
The hardest part was getting answers to the many question raised by the letters. Before I started writing, I had gathered four big boxes of research material. I’m am indebted to the archivists, historians and others who helped me find not only the answers I was looking for, but also gave me new perspectives I hadn’t previously considered.
Getting it published involved a big slice of good fortune. A stranger I had never met personally, but who was on a similar quest, connected me to House of Anansi Press. This good fortune meant I was saved the work of sending my information package to agents and publishers.
With my research in Germany and Poland, and in Northern Ontario, I was able to find records of my mother’s life, and records of the experiences of other slave workers. Where there were gaps, I was able to construct what I believe is an accurate representation of how my mother would have reacted. What is not imagined is the historical truth about the war and post-war life in Canada as a Displaced Person (DP) and of course, the impact my mother’s experiences had on me.
How did you handle writing about real people in your life? Did you use real or changed names and identifying details? Did you run passages or the whole book by people who appear in the narrative? Did you make changes they requested?
I used the real names of the primary characters, all of whom are dead. The archivists, historians and others who have helped with the research were all very supportive of the project and willing, where necessary, to provide clarification on their contributions. The only occasions I have allowed myself literary license were where I was imagining conversations between my mother, my father, and my stepfather, and other slave workers or camp residents.
Who is another writer you took inspiration from in producing this book? Was it a specific book, or their whole body of work? (Can be more than one writer or book.)
I took a lot of inspiration from Donna Morrissey and Amor Towles. I read all their books.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers looking to publish a book like yours, who are maybe afraid, or intimidated by the process?
Just do it. Write every day to develop a writing habit. Do it for yourself for whatever reason you want. I was afraid. I thought I couldn’t write so I started by reading and working though Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way. Through that book, I got into the habit of writing every day. Then I took writing courses and got used to showing my work to others and receiving feedback. Finally, I joined a small memoir-writing group who provided much guidance. I was also very fortunate that my husband was an editor for newspapers and broadcast media. Every word I wrote went through him first. I learned to view my writing objectively to make it better.
What do you love about writing?
I love the creative process—how to make my story clear, entertaining and gripping. And I love words, finding that exact, perfect word that will explain what I mean without a doubt.
What frustrates you about writing?
The biggest frustration is that I came to writing so late in life. I should have listened to the astrologer and started writing earlier.
What about writing surprises you?
I’m constantly surprised and delighted by how the writing journey leads to unexpected destinations. I may think I’m heading in one direction, but as the words slip on to the page I find myself somewhere else unexpected. Then I have to decide if I like the new route, or do I have to return to the old map?
I was never interested in writing. Secretly I didn’t think I was any good at it. In my early 20s, an astrologer told me I was a late bloomer and I would write a book. “Hah.”I said. “That’ll never happen.” Then in my 50s I began writing and self-publishing how-to books (6), and a children’s book. I found myself taking writing courses.
Does your writing practice involve any kind of routine, or writing at specific times?
I retreat to my office, with its window overlooking the ocean, and I light a candle and a stick of incense. I prefer to write in the mornings and early afternoons. I find that’s when I’m at my freshest.
Do you engage in any other creative pursuits, professionally or for fun? Are there non-writing activities you consider to be “writing” or supportive of your process?
I love ballroom dancing, cooking and gardening. I can just let my mind go with the music when I dance. Digging in my garden grounds me. And my cooking is very creative—no recipes, just letting the ingredients tell me what they want to be. In my young days, I did oil paintings of faces. I also acted.
What’s next for you? Do you have another book planned, or in the works?
Yes there is another book. Not sure what yet. Perhaps I’ll make the leap to fiction.