Meet Sheila
 As I get
older, it’s become a challenge to write a biographical sketch. Do I write about
my education and professional accomplishments? (Dull) Or do I “tell all”? (I do
laundry on Fridays, dust once a week, ok, once every two weeks, have a “thing”
for purses…very dull) How do you tell people who you really
are?
Let me get the “who cares?”
stuff out first: born in Columbus, Ohio; attended Ohio Wesleyan University and
graduated from The University of Louisville. I’ve worked in various capacities
at law firms, for a Fortune 500 corporation and at two banks. Fortunately, I
escaped – ran away, crossed a bridge and burned the darned bridge behind me!
(Don’t believe the crap about not burning bridges – sometimes you have to do it
in order to keep the jerks from coming after you!). I wrote my first novel a
hundred years ago on a manual Smith-Corona typewriter and used my kitchen table
as a desk. In 2001, I was offered my first publishing contract.
 Since
that time, Dancing on the Edge of the Roof (GoOnGirl New Author of the
Year Award, 2003), The Shade of My Own Tree, (both nominated for the
Kentucky Literary Prize for Fiction), On the Right Side of A Dream and
Girls Most Likely (July, 2006) have been published. In 2008, I collaborated
on the screenplay for Dancing on the Edge of the Roof which was optioned
for film in 2007.
Girls Most Likely is
my most recent novel. The book chronicles the friendship of four women (Vaughn,
Irene, Susan and Audrey) from age ten through their thirtieth high school
reunion. PEOPLE magazine said that it was “cheerfully addictive” but I
also tried to make it fun, poignant and thought-provoking.
 I
am a Sagittarius for those who calculate those kinds of things. I’m also a
constant student – learning is good for the little gray cells – currently, I’m
studying Buddhism, yoga and history – most recently my focus has been on
colonial America. I’m passionate about reading, writing and promoting literacy.
I love to travel and I’m learning to knit. Again. I get the yarn part but the
over and under stuff with the needles is confusing. Knit 2, purl…5?! Genealogy
is also one of my passions. Look out, DAR, I’m headed your way! My husband and I
are privileged to be the owners of two very nosy and very bossy little dogs.
Oh, oh, that was more than
140 characters, wasn’t it?
Writing Tips from Sheila: Once upon a time . . . Reflections on storytelling
Recipe for First Draft *Photo Copyright © Steve Schaefer of KET |
