Jennifer Shaw

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciate it more than I can say.

I’m Jen, and right now, among other things, I’m a writer. A hobbyist for sure, but I’ve been writing fiction consistently now for two years, and if all continues as it’s supposed to, by the end of this year I will have three publications–two in literary magazines and one in an anthology (maybe a couple more, fingers crossed). Minor publications to be sure, but pubs nonetheless. Yay! That will make me, technically, an AUTHOR–a label I’m not entirely comfortable with. And an author, apparently (if she ever wants anyone to buy her hypothetical books), is supposed to have a website, newsletter, author-socials, aesthetic, etc. She’s supposed to start building a brand and an audience of target readers ASAP, or so say the marketing experts.

All of that feels a tad premature. (I’d like to think this feeling is rooted in humility, but maybe it’s just insecurity. *Sigh* Who knows?)

I’m okay, though, with starting this blog. If anything, it’s just another reason to write, and that always feels good. I don’t intend for it to be entirely writing-focused because there’s definitely more to me than that, and I don’t yet have any books to sell. Plus, my experience is limited and I’m no master when it comes to the art and craft, so I don’t have enough insight to post regularly about techniques, tips, advice, etc. When I do write about writing, then, I plan to convey my knowledge and skill as it’s unfolding, as a newbie making plenty of mistakes. If you’re also a writer, new or otherwise, I’d love to hear from you! Let’s compare impressions, ideas, feelings, epiphanies, coping strategies, favorite adult beverages (I love a good craft beer, which is inconvenient given that I’m trying to reduce my gluten intake)… Always feel free to comment and share any wisdom or opinions–I’d love to hear them! Learning from other writers of all levels is one of my favorite things about this endeavor.

But writing aside, I wear plenty of other hats. I’m also a wife, mom (and a special needs momma at that), a lite homesteader, and a former educator and dancer/fitness instructor. All of these roles, present and past, invite experiences and ideas I’m looking forward to sharing, and I hope to hear about your experiences with any of them, too.

It’s odd to sit here and draft this. The blogger in our family is my amazing husband, Jeremiah, who’s blogged on-and-off since 2002. He has such a witty, clever, ironic voice, and his posts are always super entertaining. He’s blogged about pop culture, fashion, marriage, and parenting, among other subjects. I can feel myself trying to imitate his style even as I type this; his blog is the one I’m most familiar with. Hopefully, though, my own posts will get easier and I will find my own blogger’s voice, which will be different from the voices of my narrators and characters since in my stories I, writer Jen, hover high above everything else, my conscious self nearly invisible. This blog, however, is nothing but myself, and I’m feeling rather too self-conscious.

But since I brought up my hubby, I just want to brag about him for a minute. He is one of the kindest, smartest, and funniest men I’ve ever known. I give myself mad kudos for recognizing what an amazing and interesting person he was when I met him–way back in the summer of 2008 at his 33rd birthday party, where he had kegs of good beer, a ball pit, and nearly 50 guests wandering in and out all night, most of whom clearly adored him in one way or another.

I feel so fortunate, too, that he found me attractive and pursued me, and that, sixteen years later, he still adores me. He is my greatest supporter. When we uprooted our suburban lives in Houston, Texas in early 2021 and relocated to northern Vermont where I could finally be a stay-at-home mom, he’s the one who said, take this time to do exactly what you want, Jen. I was overwhelmed with gratitude, and I have endeavored to do exactly that, without squandering this precious gift on things like too much Instagram or Netflix.

Hence, the writing.

So, there you go. I am a hobbyist writer-now-becoming-an-author who gravitates toward historical, horror, and contemporary/literary fiction, all with strong elements of love or romance. I myself *adore* a powerful love story, whether it’s romantic, familial, platonic, or something else, and I can’t help but include at least a love story subplot in everything I produce. I look forward to sharing a few pieces on this blog, including my novelette, “Flight,” which I believe is the most emotionally satisfying piece of fiction I’ve ever written (though it is not one of this year’s published pieces. Go figure).

I’d love to hear about you, too! Feel free to comment or introduce yourself right back, below or in the comments section of my Instagram. Let’s have some interesting convos about life, love, writing, and anything else you find chat-worthy.

And again, thank you for being here with me as I start this blog journey. Writing can be a lonely pastime (I think Stephen King said that?), but you’re already making it better.

I hope to hear from you!

XOXO,

Jenn