Generations of people overlook Joan Gilmore as she writes.

Family photos surround her computer. Memories of their lives, no doubt, give inspiration, but it’s the future generation that led to her recent literary success.

Joan wrote a story titled “This Ain’t no Bull” that’s published in “Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul.”

The publisher describes this anthology of positive stories as a “celebration of memories made with grandmas — the women who can both spoil and be stern… who provide unconditional love and invaluable wisdom.”

“It’s the first story I’ve sold,” Joan said.

The story on Page 78 in the latest of the “Chicken Soup” series involves a calf, a story based on the time Joan and her husband Bill spent living with their son’s family while their home was under construction.

“I’m a city girl,” she said, chuckling about the revelations of farm life contained in her calf story.

Both generations of the Gilmores live on a farm on Ducken Road, north of Oak Harbor. Three years ago the senior Gilmores sold their home in Oak Harbor and moved to the country for their retirement.

Joan had worked 24 years for the Oak Harbor School District in various secretarial roles until she became public relations director. Bill was director of maintenance and operations for the same district.

“I’ve always been writing in one way or another,” Joan said.

And she has been published before.

During her years at the school district, she grew concerned about the potential loss of school history. She wanted to preserve it, so she gathered photos and information from the district and from former students. Then she was contacted by the Island County Historical Society, which published her book “North Whidbey Pioneer Schools” in 1986.

Another of Joan’s stories about a special needs child is under review by a publisher. “Great story” is the feedback, so far, she said.

Joan polished her writing skills by attending Christian writers conferences, which best reflect her mode of writing, she said.

Joan will soon have more time for writing. She and Bill plan to travel south as snow birds one more year, then settle down year-round on the farm to watch their grandchildren grow.

Their son Rod Gilmore and his wife Barb have lived on the farm 16 years. He’s the general manager for Lakeside Industries in Anacortes. They have four children: Shanon, Kari, Heather and Danny.

The family, farming and other adventures provide fodder for the folder of human interest story ideas Joan keeps handy.

And if she runs out material, she can always look to the family’s ancestry. Along with all the hardworking pioneer folks’ pictures, there’s a Hollywood star — Judy Garland. Bill is a shirt-tail relative of the girl who visited Oz. A picture taken in 1940 shows Bill, Judy and her sister, at a family gathering.

Joan remains humble despite her own writing successes.

“I’m a hopeful beginner,” she said.