Day Two of our ARIA authors brings us to Jackie Hennessey, author and creator of Venting Sessions -- Where Mom's Can Let It Out! Aside from her blog and book writing, Jackie is 100% mom, with stories to prove it!
Mike: Hi, Jackie.
I’m very excited to present another fantastic Association of Rhode Island
Authors (ARIA) to my Overlords fan base. Lots of questions, ok?
Here we go!
Mike: Jackie, please introduce yourself to my Overlords fans with
a little information about you and where you’re from.
Jackie: Thanks so much for
interviewing me. I would describe myself as an imperfect work-from-home-mother
who finds humor in everyday, ordinary life. I’m the author of How to Spread Sanity on a Cracker, a gift book for moms filled with
laugh-out-loud mommy whines and cheese dip recipes. My husband makes me laugh
every day and we are both cheese lovers and chocoholics. (Thankfully, we
jog.) When I’m not sneaking semi-sweet morsels from the pantry, I work as a pr
consultant and blogger.
Something you might not know about me: My husband, Michael, and I
met more than 26 years ago, when my family moved from Texas to East Greenwich,
RI. (My dad worked for NASA, so we moved a lot.) Michael and I went to
two proms together and have embarrassing pictures (think tacky taffeta and big
hair) to prove it. We got married and lived in Seattle in our 20’s. We loved it
out there. But after nearly 10 years of being 3,000 miles from family, we
decided to quit our jobs and move back to Rhode Island. Our son was two and I
was pregnant again. The insanity that followed helped inspire me to write my
first book.
I’m
a native Texan with some roots and relatives in Rhode Island, so that
provides me with a lot of material for my blog. http://www.ventingsessions.com My two children (soon to be 10 and 13) and over-grown Golden
Retriever puppy also help inspire me on a daily basis.
Mike: What are you working on
these days and what’s the current status of that project?
Jackie: When I’m not folding
laundry, taxiing my kids around, or procrastinating on Facebook, I’m busy with
my pr consulting business, blogging, speaking engagements and focusing on my
second book. I’m in the process of finding a literary agent too. If you were to
ask me this question last year, I was busy with a plethora of book signings and
the inaugural Listen to Your Mother Providence Show. But this year, I’m more
focused on my next writing project. (And sneaking chocolate chips from the
pantry.)
You can check out my original reading,
"The Horros of Shopping with Kids," from the Listen to Your
Mother Providence show in 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIdGllCljrA
Mike: Can you talk a little about your blog, Venting Sessions?
Jackie: Venting Sessions (http://www.ventingsessions.com) is a light-hearted blog for moms, a place where they can
let it out. It’s a place where I can vent about being a mom in my 40’s. Nine
posts out of 10, I write about humorous things that people can relate to, from
Spanx to over-40 Arm Dangle. I have a lot of moms tell me that they can relate.
I love that they find my self-deprecating posts relevant. I thoroughly enjoy
writing my thoughts about motherhood out loud. I can honestly say I’m living my bliss when I blog.
Mike: What has been the
most common response to your postings from other moms?
Jackie: I love when moms tell
me, “I have gone through this!” “I’m laughing my &**%% off.”“This is
funny!” “Thank you for writing about this.” I’m also honored to have guest
blogged on sites like Scary Mommy and BluntMoms and received thoughtful
comments from women who have been in my shoes (and jeans).http://www.bluntmoms.com/confession-wear-mom-jeans/
I
thoroughly enjoy connecting with readers in an authentic way.
Mike: What is the biggest
thing that you would like your fans to take away from your books and postings?
Jackie: I’m just thankful that
my sister-in-law isn’t the only one who reads my blog anymore. All I want is
for people to enjoy my blog. I hope they can celebrate my imperfections and in
turn, celebrate theirs. Parenting is stressful. Sometimes, all we need is a
break and a chance to laugh at ourselves. There is no such thing as a perfect
parent – thank goodness. I also get feedback from men that their wives enjoy my
book and blog. Positive feedback makes me positively giddy.
Mike: You’ve been a mom for a while now, right? Any desire to write about
something completely different other than the kids, husband, and the daily
grind?
Jackie: Yes. I have been a
mother for 13 years and motherhood has been a big part of my life. I find so
much joy in connecting with other women by writing about what I go through. I’m
a woman who finds laughter in everyday things, from grocery shopping with kids
to dealing with ever-changing tween lingo. (I’m just a Texas Valley Girl
reciting John Hughes movie lines trapped in a 42-year-old mother’s body.)
I’m
enjoying a new phase right now, something I like to refer to as the “sweet
spot,” meaning my kids are out of diapers and I can enjoy traveling with them
without going insane. I’m also over 40, which provides me with a plethora of
things to write about, from back fat to never spending less than $100 at
Target.
When
I started out as a newspaper reporter in Florida after graduating from Texas
A&M, my editor gave me my own column. I was ecstatic. And speechless. After
staring at a blank screen, I asked him what he wanted me to write about, and he
said, “Write what you know.” So I did, and, after building my career as a
journalist and public relations professional in Seattle and pr consultant and
writer in RI, I haven’t stopped. (Aside from folding laundry and taxiing my
kids around.)
I
hope to write about other things in the future and yes, I’d love to one day
write a novel. But right now, I enjoy what I write about because it’s true and
it’s totally me.
Mike: Any upcoming projects we should now about?
Jackie: After winning the
Indie Reader Discovery Award for How to Spread Sanity on a Cracker in 2013, I
felt inspired to take my dreams to the next level. I reprinted my book in color through Merrimack Media, started working with my writing coach on next steps and now I’m
in the process of finding an agent.
Mike: OK, time for some
quick ones, ready? Favorite movie?
Jackie: I’m a movie buff. I
was a movie reviewer in college at Texas A&M University, so this is a tough
one. I love all John Hughes films, especially The Breakfast Club and Sixteen
Candles. I crack up at anything with Will Ferrell and John Candy. I also
thoroughly enjoy serious films like 12 Years A Slave. And I cried like a baby
at Bridges of Madison County.
Mike: Favorite food or dish to
make?
Jackie: My Texas queso dip.
It’s easy and fun to make. And I always enjoy seeing people drool over it with
tortilla chip in hand at get-togethers. I’m also known for making
chocolate chip cookies. For dinner? Texas chili or salmon.
Mike: Favorite place you
have ever visited?
Jackie: Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
It was one of the most breathtaking places I’ve been in the states. My husband
and I went cross-country skiing with friends who lived there after college. We
passed by elk, bald eagles and other wildlife. It was amazing.
Mike: Favorite music band?
Jackie: There are so many! The
Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Neil Young, Prince,
Madonna. I even love listening to Katy Perry with my daughter. I saw Paul
McCartney in concert last summer and it was like a dream come true. I was a
music and movie reviewer in college, so again, this question is tough for me to
answer.
Mike: Favorite book, and no it can’t be one of yours!
Jackie: One of my favorite
books is The Help. I read it way before it was turned into a movie. I also
enjoy reading books by Jeannette Walls and Marisa De
Los Santos, author of Love Walked In. I’m
currently re-reading The Saturday Wife by Naomi Ragen because I enjoyed it so much. And my all-time favorite author is
Erma Bombeck. I used to steal my mom’s Erma Bombeck books and devour them when
I was in my teens. I have been a fan ever since. Her take on the Loehman’s
dressing room still makes me laugh out loud. She was a legend.
Mike: Jackie, thanks for being such a good sport! Is there
anything you would like to leave my fans with?
Jackie: Thank you for all of
this! OK…Shameless self-promotion time: I hope people remember that my book,
How to Spread Sanity on a Cracker, makes a fun Mother’s Day gift! I recently
re-printed How to Spread Sanity on a Cracker in color. It also comes in black
and white and Kindle e-book.
Seriously,
when I released my first book, I had no idea how much I would enjoy connecting
with other moms. In addition to ARIA, I’m a member of Rhody Bloggers, RI
Digital Media Women, The Revelation Project, Listen to Your Mother Providence
and Rhody Bloggers for Good. I’m so honored to be a part of these
organizations. And I encourage fellow authors to join groups that inspire you.
Go where you can be inspired by others.
I
also write for The Barrington Patch and have an advice column at OnlineRI.com.
Mike: Thanks for being such a good sport and sharing a little about you with my fans. Please visit Jackie's blog and buy her books via the links below:
Blog and web site: http://ventingsessions.com/book
Amazon black and white and Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Spread-Sanity-Cracker-Mom-mom/dp/0985031808/ref=cm_cr-mr-title
I invite you to connect with me here:
My blog: http://ventingsessions.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackieHennesse1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/VentingSessionscom/272150266154070Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jackiehenn/
Contact info: Jackie Hennessey
Email: Jackie@ventingsessions.com
http://www.onlineri.com
3 comments:
What a great interview! And Jackie, I clearly remember your performance in last year's LTYM Providence - it was hilarious!
You're such a force and inspiration. I feel so blessed to have read your book and seen you at LTYM.
Thank you, ladies, so much! Your comments INSPIRE ME. Happy Mother's Day!
Post a Comment