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
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
Over the years, I have been a house painter, farm worker, paste-up artist, Easter Bunny, pizza delivery person, homeless shelter staff member, and counselor for adults and kids with mental illness - I quit my last real job in 2000 to work on writing full-time. Jennifer McMahon adultartistbunny 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
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
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 wrote my first short story in third grade. Jennifer McMahon gradeshortstory Change image and share on social
