About Jackie

When asked to write about a character, the words come easily, but when asked to talk or write about myself, I become flustered and cannot think of much to say. I believe most writers are that way, finding it easy to delve into the mystique of a fictional character but guarded about themselves. My greatest joy is to figure out what makes a character tick. My protagonists are usually mild mannered until put into a situation where they must perform for survival, and then realizing through that calamity how strong-willed they are.

My young married life was spent raising three children and working in our family-owned business, and although I wrote a little poetry and a few short stories I always had the notion that when I had the time, I would write a novel. Thankfully I never said those words because many of my writer friends laugh at that phrase. Unless you've actually written a piece you have no idea how hard it is—paying one's dues through hard work, rejections and dedication to become even mildly successful at the writing craft takes much more than saying it. I admire those individuals who have committed to a writing career.

My astrological sign is Leo, so you can guess that I love entertaining and am outgoing, but on the flip side, solitude is my buddy. When it was feasible I returned to college at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas where I received a Bachelors Degree in English, with an emphasis in Creative Writing and a minor in History, along with a bunch of Psychology courses—I love research. The degree did not teach me how to write, but opened my horizons to myriad fields—journalism, poetry, drama, public relations, publishing, etc. The realization that I wasn't limited to just one genre gave me the courage to try many in which I have subsequently published. If any one genre taught me the most it was poetry. Through it I learned rhythm and to make every word count.

After graduation I joined a couple of poetry groups. A poet will drive fifty miles to read one poem, but the camaraderie makes it all worthwhile, and I have made many friends along the way. When reading my own work for the first time in front of a group my knees grew weak and my hands shook so badly it was difficult to see the page. But poets have beautiful souls and I fondly remember those years spent among people from every walk of life who encouraged me to keep writing.

I have lived in the Houston area most of my life and been married to Joel almost all of that time. We've enjoyed happy moments and weathered a few storms not of our own making. We have raised three beautiful, productive children, and now have four grandchildren and the sweetest, most active Papillon (butterfly eared dog) you've ever seen.

Read Jackie's VITA (pdf)