John Schneider

Born: Glennallen, Alaska, February 15, 1958
Currently living in Somerville, MA
Find me at: anijon@comcast.net

I spent my first eleven years in the rural wilderness of Alaska. There was no TV and so I spent my time in books, or wandering outside with other kids and friendly dogs. I lived in the context of four snow-covered mountains.  Only the weather changed; they did not; I loved them more than I can say.

When I was eleven our family of six moved to the Philadelphia suburbs. My dad was changing jobs and for awhile I was angry that he'd taken from me what I loved most. Then, at least a part of me got used to it.

I discovered that I loved to draw halfway through college. After college I went to the Museum School in Boston where I learned how to paint.

I painted for a good twenty five years, with a ten year period at the end where I was selling work.  Then my painting began to dry up. Around the time my painting was waning I began to write.

I've been writing now for a good five years, and I've often wondered if I might not want to organize and share some part of what I've made.  I'm not the ambitious type, but still it feels worthwhile to find that what I've crafted might give others pleasure.

Work Life
I painted houses for some twenty five years, beginning before college. I loved the hard work and the challenge of making fussy people happy. Then my body told me it was time to stop, and I also had a son. I worked as a house-husband – something I'd wanted, oddly enough, since I was a teenager.  Besides my duties as a house-husband, I now  work as a math and writing tutor for adults and kids. I love to see them master something difficult and new – especially the kids.

Statement

My writing is rooted in memory and reflection.  It began by coming to me as vivid pictures – a return to moments in my childhood.  It also comes as a desire to notice the world around me through words.

I love to read, especially literature for kids and young adults, but when I tried my hand at fiction I fell flat.  I need the world of present or past time for my gears to mesh.  I find that I write best when I keep it fairly short and simple.  A small event, or some small piece of the world that draws my notice, is just enough to carry me and give me space to find the necessary details.