Writing has become a new creative outlet for a North Bay musician who survived a massive stroke in 2014.

Phil McCoy, who lost the use of the left side of his body, tells BayToday his wife suggested he get into writing.

“I had tried writing in my younger days several times, and it always seemed to be a bit of a jumbled mess, not a lot of detail and not enough story to move it along. Since the stroke, it was as simple as sitting in front of a keyboard almost, it flowed,” he says.

McCoy has written a children’s novel that’s available on Amazon.

He’s also getting back into music.

“I’ve started exploring music again, I’ve been working with a harp therapy circle that is part of the palliative care network, I play the harp with one hand,” he says.

McCoy has also received a Chapman Stick and is learning his way around the instrument.

(Photo submitted to BayToday – Author Phil McCoy with his wife Darlene)