About Me — Ellie Jacobson
A writer, one part content blended with one part creative
My name is Ellie Jacobson, which you probably gathered by the article title. I’m also part Irish so excuse my sarcasm.
My life
I grew up in the ’70s and the ’80s (the best time I tell ya!). I was born and raised by the most wonderful (not sarcasm) Mom with red hair on the East Side of St. Paul in Minnesota. She was the youngest of 10 so my life was filled with uncles, aunts, and endless cousins (some I haven’t met yet sadly).
When I was 20, I attended St. Catherine University where I changed my major about four times in two years, landing on English. I left school two years in because of anxiety and not understanding how to manage it. That is my greatest regret, leaving school. I love school. I was the kid that played school with neighborhood kids and I had to be the teacher. I was interested in everything under the sun, thus the reason for switching majors.
I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to major in English. When I told people what my major was, they advised, “You won’t find a good job with a degree in English.” At that age, I respected the advice from family (I think they were being sarcastic so that may not have been a wise decision).
After a decade of floating through life, I fell in love and started a family. My life was focused on my kids. I ran an Etsy shop full time (making home decor with travertine tiles) while raising my sons.
But I felt a void as they grew older. I wanted to finish my bachelor's degree I left behind. I figured the credits would not transfer and I would end up starting over. Physically going back to a traditional college was not an option with two kids and a full-time business. After applying to Arizona State University, I was shocked most of my credits were transferable. I didn’t have to start over.
After two years I graduated with my degree in technical communication. Initially, wanted to study creative writing but the voices in my head persisted, “That’s not practical.” I don’t regret majoring in technical communication as it was still writing.
I’ve learned over the years I’m the type of person who likes both content writing and creative writing.
So I’ve made another leap, working towards earning an MFA in creative writing. That is my next adventure. I’ve been working on the first draft of a suspense novel and need help to get the thing done.
I also want to teach. My dream is to work with teenagers and college students. I wish I had a mentor at that age who could guide me, instead of focusing on the negative advice from others.
My Loves
My husband. We met on Match.com in 2005. We were each other’s first dates after coming out of a long relationship. He believes in me, in ways I don’t for myself. We are enough alike to get along as friends and lovers, and different enough in personality, so we don’t kill each other by the end of the day.
My boys. They are my heart. They are now both teenagers, 13 and almost 15 years old. Sending love, dark chocolate, and bottles of wine to fellow teenager parents!
Mr. Percy. Our rescue kitty. I don’t like to tell him too often how much I love him because he doesn’t need more self-confidence, the truth is he is the best cat around. Except when he wants to be fed at 5:30 am every single day and doesn’t stop crying until a human does what he demands.
Books. My affair with books began as far back in my memories as I can remember. I don’t remember learning to read. I remember the images in “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak and feeling like I lived with the wild things. Reading is my escape, my air, my everything. I love suspense/thriller, horror, romance, historical fiction, and nonfiction. I don’t discriminate.
Coffee. Need I say more. Okay, I do like tea as well.
Plants. I’m not a gardener. I’ve tried the large garden in my backyard thing. But the whole weeding thing nearly killed me. So I container garden and my home is filled with houseplants. They are my babies.
Reality shows. Yes, I know. UGH. Even I don’t understand why I love it. But I do. No judgment. I remember watching The Real World on MTV, way back when (let’s not mention the exact number of years). It’s my TV escape, what can I say.
Baking. I’m not Martha Stewart but I love to bake and watch baking shows. Have you watched the Great British Bake-Off? It’s my obsession.
My Work
- Both fiction and nonfiction at Coffee House Writers
- Flash Fiction, Below the Surface, at The Drabble
- And my articles here at Medium
Let’s Connect
I love networking and supporting other writers.
You can find me:
- My website
- Writing accountability and support group at Slack
- My email is [email protected]
Thank you for stopping by!
I would love to know more about you. Leave your “About Me” post in the comments section, would love to support your work as well.