This picture says a lot about me. I love to compose photographs. Like Her, I am happy puttering in my gardens and sitting among the flowers, watching the birds. The Statue Me is holding an open book with an arm around her child, which remains part of my version of heaven. I also aspire to have a waist like Her again, someday. One thing She is not doing is holding a spatula, because I love to cook. But it is hard to find a garden-sitting, book-reading, child-hugging statue that also holds a cooking utensil. And writes.
I have taken a winding path to where I am today, with lots of jobs along the way. By far my most fulfilling career choice was always as a full-time mom. The pay was lousy but the perks continue to be awesome and I wouldn’t trade those years for anything in the world. Plus, it’s where I got most of my material.
Welcome to my little world, and I hope you enjoy this jane’s look at life.
Jane Koenen Bretl
jane, candid 
Great blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you propose starting with a free platform like
Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many
options out there that I’m totally confused .. Any ideas? Kudos!
Because of another Jane, (Jane Friedman) I found you.
Great pix and writing that’s ‘fun to get lost in’.
Thanks for being on this planet at the same time as the rest of us.
Dana
http://www.danarossmartin.com
Thank you Dana, for stopping by my little corner of the planet. I am glad that my writing could provide a ‘fun place to get lost in’ – I like that concept!
From one Dana to another; Well said!
I see that you like a Prairie Home Companion! I have never actually met anyone else who even knows about A Prairie Home Companion, let alone actually likes and listens to this show. I am so glad to have found a fellow Lake Wobegonian! 😉
PS: By the way, I love your photography. Your cats are so cute.
Well, yes, I do have PHC — but you have exploding pigs raining bacon! In the rock-paper-scissors of blogging, you win… Your blog is so creative! Thanks for your comment.
Hi Jane,
I love your photos and I too have a flower garden. My wildflower garden is a place where I go to read, dream and commune with nature, and talk to God.
Good luck in all your writings. Judy
Thank you, Judy. There is nothing like a garden to find some peace. Good luck to you too!
hi jane, enjoy your writing. your old friend herb
Hi Jane!
I’m Megha, an 11 year old from London. I LOVE writing, and I read WriterKid’s blog where I heard about yours. I have been looking through your old posts – I think your photography is amazing.
Like I said, I love writing. I’m definetly going to be a writer.
I see you are writing for kids too.
Anyway.
Megha xx
Megha,
I just found your comment — I don’t know how I missed it. Thank you so much for reading my blog. I am so glad to hear that you love writing. If you stick with it you will be successful. The sticking-with-it thing seems to be the key for all of us! WriterKid is amazing, isn’t she?
Hope to hear from you again
hi Mrs. Bretl…i think you are a very good writer! 🙂
Why, thank you Nick! If only I wrote as well as well as you play bassoon…
Having a good time looking around your bloggy “world” today.
Tina, so good to have you wandering around, and thanks for all the comments! I enjoy your blog very much, and am flattered that you like mine.
Nice to see all your creative juices not escaping into the thin air…keep them channeled my friend!
I will. Thanks, John!
Hi Jane,
I just read about your experience at a workshop that led to this site, on the blog There are No Rules, and I was fascinated. I feel the same way you did – completely boggled by all there is to learn about this field. I particularly am puzzled by blogging in one respect: I don’t feel I have much to say. Well, as a fiction writer, I’m not sure what I would say. A non-fiction writer such as yourself can write thoughts on parenting, etc., for the day. But I’m a bit baffled by what blogging holds for a fiction writer, without ‘giving your fiction away’ and that would sustain itself on a daily or so basis. Any insight?
Monica
I thought you’d want to see more about spork. What do you think?
http://tinyurl.com/dmr6u4
Hello Ms. Jane,
Charming and talented one….. I read about you today on a Writer’s Digest blog and have had a smile on my face the entire time I purused your amusing entries and your fine photos……… I’ve become a fan…… Also appreciate the design, color, and font choices on the blog…. super kewl…. like you……
Many blessings to Jane of the gardens and other magical places from Wendy Jane Carrel in southern California…….
Wendy Jane, Thank you so much! Now you put a smile on mine!