Jacqueline Sheehan

Blog and Newsletters

Yard Sale Rules Revealed

May 27, 2014

Tag Sale Treasures

Yard Sale Rules Revealed

It’s that time of year again. Someone has hauled their treasures to their yard, driveway, or carport and we are free to treasure hunt. Here in Western Mass we call them tag sales. Everyone else in the country insists on calling them something else, like yard sales or garage Read More

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Selling Great Aunt Hilda

May 15, 2014

The Hilda Couch

I sold Great Aunt Hilda. I tried to sell her on Craig’s List, but it was not until I listed her in the local paper that the deal was closed. As soon as I met the buyer, I understood why Craig’s List hadn’t been the right place for her. Hilda had Read More

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Evidence that Typos Are a Unique Life Form

May 1, 2014

Typo Life Forms Revealed

Evidence exists that typos are in fact sentient beings. Or in this case, they look a lot like horses and they are plenty sentient. Please note the photo. For years I had suspected that I had examined every word of stories, essays, newsletters, and most recently Facebook postings, until there were absolutely no typos. Read More

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RIP Laptop

July 29, 2013

RIP on Cape Cod

After a long life, my Mac Book has gone on to its eternal rest. I purchased it in 2005, used, and I couldn’t ask for a sturdier work horse. I was not initially an Apple fan, and in fact, I still live a 50/50 life, pounding away at my Dell PC when I’m at Read More

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A Snowy Day for Two Writers

March 27, 2013

New Englanders love spring and the evidence of spring’s arrival was everywhere last week. Migrating birds had returned, tiny buds had popped out of the ground, and the air had a delicious sweetness to it. And then slam! A late snowstorm rolled in and dropped six inches of snow that had the consistency Read More

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My Favorite January Movies

January 31, 2013

I love everything about going out to the movies. The test of a great movie is that I’m still thinking about it one week later and something in me has changed. It’s the same with great books.

I love the smell of popcorn, the anticipation, and especially the collective emotional responses when Read More

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The Next Big Thing!

January 10, 2013

The Next Big Thing

Right before Christmas, Maura Lynch asked me to participate in The Next Big Thing online event — a way for authors/bloggers to share news about upcoming projects.

Maura Lynch lives in Manhattan , New York , and is a former film, television and publishing executive. She is writing a memoir about having Read More

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What's in a name - Guest blog by Alan Lipp

December 28, 2012

Alan Lipp

For 68 years I have been contented with “Alan,” but as a soon-to-be grandfather I suddenly need a new name. “Daddy” arrived with the birth of my daughter and all too soon became “Oh Dad,” with a level of dismay only possible from an adolescent. But other than that natural passage through fatherhood I have Read More

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Guest Blog by Brian Leaf

December 10, 2012

Brian Leaf recently published Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi, which is full of heart-felt humor and humility. In this lovely guest column, Brian shares the fundamentals of Ayurveda and how they can apply to our creativity. Take his short quiz to discover your type.

Brian Leaf, M.A. is the author of Misadventures Read More

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Jacqueline Sheehan answers the question When did you start writing?

November 20, 2012

“When did you start writing?”

I am coming to the end of the book tour for Picture This and this question has come up at every stop. The answer is never easy, because surely I wrote all my life, once as a freelance journalist in a small town in New Mexico, numerous times as Read More

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Comments

December 05, 2012 5:10 AM EST

I just finished reading "Now & Then", my first experience at reading your work. I found it to be an outstanding work of fiction! Your characters were real and compelling and you
artfully guided the reader into every chapter with the thread of intrigue that you wove throughout.

The thing I was most astonished about, was the amazing similiarity between your life story and my own and by the Irish places and characters that were identical to those in my family's geneology.

At this late time in my life, I feel strongly compelled to put a voice to my life experiences, which have been unique and varied. Throughout my life, I have been complimented on my ability to express my thoughts on paper. My mother wrote poetry and is responsible for my love of reading and any talent in prose that I possess. It is also a financial imperative that I find the Grandmother Moses in me if it exists!

I have inquired into a memoir writing class that a friend suggested to me. I have not yet received a response to my e mail. The class is free, but limited to twelve participants. I have also decided that any story line running through my had should be immediately put to paper. One such plot will be nailed down on this gloomy, rainy day.

I would appreciate hearing from you on any advise you might have for me. More importantly, I want to tell you about the circumstances in my birth family that match yours and have identically impacted the direction of my life.

First, I must attend to the almost ruined bread pudding I just pulled out of my oven! I also need to find out what is causing my internet connection to be so jumpy today. Further writing is impossible!

Thanks for the good read! Hoping to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Marilyn Schneider

- yn Schneider

December 05, 2012 6:29 AM EST

Dear Marilyn,
Please contact me by email and I may be able to give you some ideas. jrsheehan@verizon.net.

- Jacqueline

December 17, 2012 7:14 AM EST

Jacqueline -
I did write you an E mail around 12/6. I was having a great deal of trouble with my computer at that time. Everything has been fixed now. I know you are a very busy lady and I don't mean to push, but if you did not receive it, I will resend. Have been accepted in the April writing class and am on standby for the January class in case someone drops out. Have started reading "Writing Down the Bones".
I just finished reading "Truth". It was hard to put down. The reader is transported to that point in time and experiences slavery and attitudes toward it in all its ugliness. It reminded me of the book "The Peculiar Institution" by Kenneth M. Stampp which was assigned reading in one of my college classes. I still have the book and treasure it as one the best and most illuminating books ever written on slavery in the South.

Your writing style is impressive and unique. Please enjoy every minute of the Holiday Season ahead.

Respectfully,

- Marilyn A. Schneider

December 17, 2012 12:27 PM EST

Marilyn,
Try my email again. I received nothing from you.

- Jacqueline Sheehan

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