Author Archives: jayne bowers

About jayne bowers

*married with children, stepchildren, grandchildren, in-laws, ex-laws, and a host of other family members and fabulous friends *semi-retired psychology instructor at two community colleges *writer

Dick, Jane, and Hiawatha

Posted on June 7, 2018

Last night I met someone who told me about a family history book given to her by a relative. “It was more like genealogy,” she said, “and I wish there had been some stories in it.” “I know what you … Continue reading →

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Love/Hate Relationship

Posted on June 5, 2018

Powerful. Compelling. Unsettling. Instructional. These and other descriptors depict my thoughts and feelings on pretty much every page of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Although I’d heard of Stowe’s well-known work for most of my life, I didn’t read it until this … Continue reading →

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Ivory Soap and Corn Flakes

Posted on May 30, 2018

  Being part of a writing group has helped me in ways too numerous to recount. My membership has also made me a little more hesitant to write, or rather to trust myself as a writer. For example, I’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in critique groups, family histories, lifestyle, memoir, Uncategorized, writing, writing groups, writing tips | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sock Suitcase

Posted on May 27, 2018

I thought I was Done with a capital D. The family history was a mammoth task, a time drain, a major stressor, a sleep thief. But then one day after correcting one pesky out-of-place apostrophe, I thought thought Yes and hallelujah. Confident that … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, family histories, memoir, nonfiction, Uncategorized, writing, writing projects | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Getting the Tools

Posted on May 14, 2018

“What have you been writing lately?” a friend asked. Embarrassed to say, “Nothing much,” I replied, “This and that.” Before she had a chance to inquire further, I shared that I’d been reading a lot. “Good readers make good writers, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, critique groups, family history, reading, Uncategorized, writers, writing, writing groups | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Family Stories

Posted on May 7, 2018

The three of us rode to the Myrtle Beach Airport in the misty, predawn light, that special time of day when the world seems almost magical as it emerges from darkness into light. No wait, it was around four o’clock, … Continue reading →

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Come Sunday

Posted on April 27, 2018

I’m a fortunate gal in so many ways, among them having friends who help me broaden my horizons and think in different ways. And lucky me, I have those who accept my religious beliefs without censure or ridicule. I appreciate … Continue reading →

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Are Ghosts Real?

Posted on April 19, 2018

There were only six of us sitting around the table at Books on Broad, a local bookstore, this morning. Four people had submitted work to be critiqued, and I erroneously assumed we would wrap up in two hours. Wrong. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Camden Writers, critique groups, nonfiction, Uncategorized, writing, writing conferences, writing fiction, writing groups | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Kettle Corn and Fried Pies

Posted on March 26, 2018

  It’s funny how a little taste of something can conjure up a memory. I just opened a canister of delicious kettle corn that I bought nine days ago, and the rich caramel smell of the sweet and salty mix … Continue reading →

Posted in traveling, traveling with family, Uncategorized, vintage market days, weekend fun | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Whose Candy Was It?

Posted on March 20, 2018

A variation on an old theme: there are always more beginners than enders in just about any enterprise worth pursuing. That’s on my mind this morning because of the challenge of writing the family history to the bitter end (at … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, books, family histories, genealogy, Bible, memory, memoir, story telling, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment