I studied poetry in college and for a year in an MFA program. As time went on, my poems got more and more complicated. What I was really trying to do was tell stories. Jennifer McMahon collegecomplicatemfa Change image and share on social
I found many treasures in the woods over the years: shotgun shells, empty Colt 45 bottles, old railroad spikes, orange and black beetles eating a dead mouse, pebbles that looked just like teeth, old stone walls and cellar holes, a rusted out frying pan, the skull of a cat. Jennifer McMahon beetleblackbottle share on social
I was born in 1968 and grew up in my grandmother's house in suburban Connecticut, where I was convinced a ghost named Virgil lived in the attic. Jennifer McMahon atticbearconnecticut Change image and share on social
Poetry taught me a great deal about language and images, but when it came to plotting, I was stumped. It's been very much a learn-by-doing thing for me. Jennifer McMahon dealgreatimage Change image and share on social
I think of setting as almost a character of its own, influencing the other characters in ways they're not even aware of. So much of the success of a good ghost story rides on creating a creepy atmosphere; details of the landscape itself can help create a sense of dread. Jennifer McMahon atmosphereawarecharacter share on social
I just try to write the best story I can, a story I would love to read, and hope that readers feel the same. Jennifer McMahon feelhopelove Change image and share on social
Some things, I think, like fairy books and secret doors, are only meant to be found by children. Jennifer McMahon bookchilddoor Change image and share on social
One exercise I always do when I'm getting to know a character is ask her to tell me her secrets. Sit down with a pen and paper, and start with, 'I never told anybody...' and go from there, writing in the voice of your character. Jennifer McMahon characterexercisepaper share on social
My grandmother was a psychiatrist and had shelves full of medical books - I was constantly sneaking looks at some of those. I was fascinated by the descriptions of illnesses and diseases. Jennifer McMahon bookconstantlydescription Change image and share on social
All my life, I had this idea that if I could unravel the mystery that was my mother, then I could help save her. But it didn't really work. We were close, but she struggled with mental illness and alcoholism, and it was rough at times. Jennifer McMahon alcoholismcloseidea share on social
