Sheri Taylor Bockelman
writer & author

email: sheri@chicoryhollow.com

Writing - my passion.
 Work, play, or just because... - for love, money, or to exercise my Constitutional right to freedom of speech

Weave words.  Sew sentences.  Pen paragraphs.
 

A selection of my writing... Essays, poetry, fiction, philosophical ponderings, contemplations and "opinion-orials" - some thoughts posted in online forums.

I was blessed with the talent to communicate what is visualized in my mind through my fingers "by pen to paper" - now as "electronic keystrokes," but my skills in grammar and punctuation is fully attributed to excellent English teachers. I was reading as early as I can remember.

It started with a strong foundation in phonics at Binns Boulevard Elementary in Columbus, Ohio - but significant influences were Mr. Alseph in 4th grade (Wolcott, Connecticut);  5th-6th grade teachers at Ruby Wise Junior High School (Kolin, Louisiana) who recommended me to a weekly Gifted Students program held at Brame Junior High in Pineville, Louisiana; and most of all, to Mrs. Huey at Central Junior High, Hutchinson, Kansas - who constantly challenged me. She had the reputation of being the "meanest English teacher" - even I thought so. Yet, one of my fondest memories is a visit back to her class in my high school sophomore year. My younger sister Joni was in her class, and Mrs. Huey proceeded to boast of my English abilities and exemplary grades to her entire class. I was always proud to be so commended by our no-nonsense English teacher. Her praise led me to be a writer (Bless you, Mrs. Huey - wherever you are.)

I can usually catch a typo on a television ad or news story at a glimpse. I am known to be fairly fanatic about spelling, and the correct use of language arts in print media. I used to be an avid reader, and can speed-read most things (well, the stroke slowed me down a little, especially since I have short-term memory problems!) My favorite writers are Anne Tyler, Jonathon Kellerman, Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Edgar Allen Poe, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Frederick Douglas, Maya Angelou, Dr. Seuss, and many others I can't think of right now.

 Texas Books for the Blind in Austin has given back to me the enjoyment of "reading." Their program, my local branch of the Library of Congress Books for the Blind program, loans special tape players, and patrons can receive books from both on tapes and in large print. This is really cool, because one of the most unpleasant effects left by the stroke is that I have blurred vision: my left field of vision in both eyes is "cut" in half, blocking the left peripheral visual field, causing "neglect" - this cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lens because it is literally a brain connectivity lapse rather than a vision problem. I have missed reading - doing my college work (even writing this) can be challenging. You can read more about my visual loss here and here.  Note! Students who have disabilities, including dyslexia, may also qualify for services through the Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic.

I have been writing advertising copy for more than 25 years - I still freelance occasionally on special projects. Most recently, I wrote and will continually update the website copy for my friend Nancy Weekley. In the coming months, I'll be writing more regularly for Out-Smart Magazine, keeping their Events Calendar organized and the copy fresh.

In 1982-1985, I was an entrepreneur: with support and help from my husband, I published The Parent's Directory and Houston's Child, Based on my background in early childhood, I created the publications for Houston area parents and child-oriented businesses, pioneering an innovative target-marketing concept that set the foundation for other similar publications in later years.

Beginning in 1986, as Senior Copywriter at Foley's Department Stores, I was responsible for writing all Special Events advertising for eight years; I also wrote fashion retail advertising for newspapers and magazines. From 1994-1997, I was writer and editor for The Proof, our employee newsletter at Characters, Inc. In 1999-2000, I worked for Sachnowitz & Co.; responsible for print production and vendor relations, my copywriting skills were also utilized on several occasions for ads and direct mail pieces for clients.

Hoping to inspire and encourage young writers, I taught Creative Writing during the 2002-2003 school year, part of a Title I After-School Program designed for 3rd-5th graders. My students were from Holbrook Elementary, where I worked as a Paraprofessional (classroom teaching assistant), and they learned to write poetry, stories and conduct professional interviews for a school newspaper. It was a very rewarding experience - I am very proud of the writing my kids produced.

Since my early twenties, for pure writing pleasure, I've created "never-ending" erotic vignettes. This is my personal "escape" into a world of sensuality, sexuality, seduction - vivid details to stir and stimulate the imagination. Originally designed to tantalize my husband, as others became interested in my stories, I enjoyed word-crafting for entertaining a wide variety of adult audiences. As I explore anonymous characters, themes, and scenarios in spontaneous moments of romance, passion and wild abandon, my writing style is constantly evolving.  Warning!  These are strictly adult fantasies, not for the "faint of heart" or under-18 readers. Since 2001, over 160,000 adults in the U.S. and Canada have read my short erotic fantasies on the popular adult website Literotica, where I publish under the Author pen name "Scheherazade."  From 2002-2005, I created my own erotic story website, "Sexystoryteller" where I published longer. revised versions of selected stories. I still own the domain name.

If I had a dollar for every time I've been told "you should write a book!" I'd have plenty of money in the bank. I believe my spiritual Creator had a purpose for me on  December 29, 2004, when that big bad blood vessel ruptured deep inside my brain, injuring the right cerebral hemisphere and paralyzing my left side in less than a minute - because most people with my type of stroke don't survive! (98% die of brain hemorrhage strokes). Blessedly, I lived to be Stroke Girl ^™ surviving another life experience - I can still think, speak, type with one hand, I have regained some of my left side, and I have been blessed with this time to write. Although I am technically medically retired, I am convinced this is my Creator's way of making me "Stop!" racing through life: He has given me this wonderful opportunity to tell my life experiences - of life survival - to inspire and bless others who need help to survive their path through life.

I have some serious essays and articles I'd like to write and submit for publication, on a variety of topics that I have researched, or hope to investigate further. I write poetry and prose, like all poets, to express emotion. My other writing ambitions include genealogy articles, family history stories, contemporary adult novel and a collection of adult fantasy stories. I hope to achieve publication someday with one or more of those projects. There's never enough "real" time in the 24-hour day - and trying to fit more into those hours is what contributed to the stroke - less stress is best!

Meanwhile, I hope you find something in my little "online library" that will entertain, inform, provoke thought, inspire, or provide insight. Thank you and enjoy reading!