: About Me

Born in the deep South into a large family, most of Jerri's free time was spent reading and garnering a love for words.  In high school she wrote poems that were read on a local radio station segment.  Years later, she signed up for the much-publicized writing course from the Institute of Children's Literature and quickly gathered the confidence to begin submitting stories. 

She was first published in Wee Wisdom Magazine, then later Jack and Jill, and Listen Magazine.  She joined the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, attending conferences to listen to editors and more experienced writers to gain insight into the world of publication. 

Although life circumstances took her off the writing track for a while, Jerri recently discovered Helium.com, and that has rejuvenated her excitement for the power of words.

My passion is ...

Decorating

I know too much about ...

Politics

My parents always told me ...

Say what you mean and mean what you say.

My childhood ambition ...

...to be grown up. Boy, did that come true!

My favorite memory ...

Nature walks with my grandmother

Why I write ...

To understand myself. To formulate my opinions.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

The wall clock ticking. The clatter of keyboard keys. The distant whooshing of cars on the street.

My first job ...

Working in the office of my high school as an assistant to the school secretary.

My best moment ...

Waking up in the wee hours of the morning with an answer to the question that has been simmering in my brain.

My inspiration ...

Beauty and organization

Religion & Spirituality > Self-Awareness & Realization Spring: A time to hit refresh and revaluate your life

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Starting in the Middle I back the car out of the driveway slowly. "I'm ready to retire." The thought drifts in quietly. I laugh softly in rejection of it, check the traffic and pull onto the street. Maybe I'm just tired of my job. I offer myself the excuse, but reject it before the thought is finished. It isn't the job. It is - I turn on the left blinker, check for traffic and turn left - my life. I just don't like my life so much right now. There isn't anything per se wrong with it. It is just bland, like soup. And how often can you eat soup without screaming? I'm forty-seven. Oh God, I'm...

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