An Abridged Story of Jenn

Summary

Jenn Pike is a 50-something wife, mother, and grandmother who has transitioned from a career in technical writing to pursue her passion for creative writing, now joining the Illumination publication on Medium.

Abstract

Jenn Pike, a multi-faceted woman with a rich personal life, has embarked on a journey to rekindle her long-held dream of creative writing. Despite being a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, she has decided to carve out time for her own aspirations. With her children grown and her responsibilities lessened, Jenn is focusing on her creative talents. She previously wrote on Medium but felt unsupported, leading her to seek a more nurturing community with Illumination. Her writings are a reflection of her life experiences, including personal anecdotes, poetry, and humorous pieces, demonstrating her versatility as a writer. Jenn hopes that her work, such as her favorite piece "It Was Never Luck," will resonate with readers and that she will find support and camaraderie within the Illumination community.

Opinions

Jenn Pike views her role as a grandmother with a mix of disbelief and endearment, highlighting her youthful spirit.
She values the importance of self-care and personal fulfillment, emphasizing the significance of pursuing one's dreams at any stage in life.
Jenn acknowledges the challenges of being a single parent and how it initially diverted her from her creative writing aspirations.
She appreciates the potential impact of a supportive writing community, expressing hope that Illumination will provide the environment she needs to thrive as a writer.
Jenn is modest about her writing, suggesting that the value of her poetry is subjective and open to the interpretation of her readers.
Her sense of humor is an integral part of her identity, as she occasionally incorporates it into her writing to engage her audience.

A semi-brief introduction of a new Illumination writer

Selfie of Jenn Pike, by Jennifer Marla Pike

Ack! That picture looks much better as a small avatar! But it’s the best recent picture I have, so that’s the one I’m sharing.

I am a 50-something young woman, finally taking time to do some things for myself instead of for everyone else. I’m a wife, a mom of 3, and a grandma. I can’t possibly be old enough to be a grandma, but that’s what those kids call me and they’re cute.

My Grandkids, by Jennifer Marla Pike

During the week, I am a Product Manager, Product Owner, and Business Analyst all in one. That earns me a living.

However, my degree in Creative Writing is where my dreams have always been. I was always too responsible. I couldn’t chase those goals because I was a single mom of two when I graduated from the University of Washington. So, instead, I also got a degree in technical communication and was recruited to IBM as a technical writer.

Now that I’m mostly an empty-nester (my youngest son is in college), I can focus on the creative. And the creative is what leads me here, to Illumination.

I have written on Medium in the past, but felt unsupported and overwhelmed. I hope that the community I’ve found here will help me past that feeling.

I enjoy writing about my life. I write some poetry, though its worthiness is in the eye of the beholder. And I try to be funny from time to time as well.

And this is my favorite article I’ve written on Medium and also my first:

I look forward to getting to know you.

An Abridged Story of Jenn

A semi-brief introduction of a new Illumination writer

It Was Never Luck

Luck: The invisible equalizer.