Jennifer McBride

When Jennifer McBride found herself unemployed and anxious after her divorce, she fell back on the only skill she had: writing. "I'd been out of the workforce for so long, I had no marketable skills. Being able to herd children and make quick, toaster oven meals wasn't exactly in high demand," she says. "Almost everyone already had someone filling that role in their home ...and they were working for free."

So she started writing. She wrote about her divorce. She wrote about her changed vision of herself. She wrote about everything she saw, felt, experienced, and thought. The results were her first two books: Touching the Trees and Cape of Leaves.

"I loved finding my voice. And, I loved that my kids saw me pursuing my passion. They are as engaged in the creative and marketing processes as I am...even though they have no interest in actually reading anything I write, thank goodness, for now."

Ms. McBride sees her books as stepping stones for connecting to others. "These books aren't just for me. They are to do good things for the people and world around me. I'm always floored when I get an email or a hug from someone who says I've captured their thoughts and feelings. It's amazing to have that connection to others."

After the success of Ms. McBride's first couple of books, she decided to go to graduate school to become a Marriage and Family Therapist. "I've waited a long time to get that Master's Degree -- but I did it!" Jenni is now a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in Saint Paul, MN at TouchingTrees Counseling and Relationship Services.

Ms. McBride lives with her family in Minnesota. When she's not taking advantage of the perfect northern summers by gardening, walking, and taking photographs, she's working hard at growing her private practice...and creating more books.

"I'm so fortunate that I've gotten to not only pursue my dreams, but live them."

More information about Jennifer McBride can be found at www.touchingtrees.com.