Julie Sheldon
I consider myself to be an ‘accidental poet’ .
I have lived all my life in Derbyshire, England. I became an early retiree in 2017, and am absolutely thoroughly enjoying my new found 'freedom'.
When I was younger I wrote the occasional limerick or short verse, but nothing else for many years. Then, in early April 2020, I was chatting with my neighbour Ann, over the garden wall. We were discussing the Covid-19 pandemic and how it had all started, she said " I think it's just Nature telling us to slow down".
That set me thinking...."What if it's just Nature?"...... There began my 'Lockdown Lyrics'.
That one comment seemed to re-awaken my poetic voice, and I haven't stopped writing since.
I think that life during the pandemic gave me more time to think about things in general and to greatly appreciate my surroundings, family and friendships.
In a generally negative, unsettling time for us all, I was so pleased to have found something so positive, in the production of my first book....'Lockdown Lyrics'. This book was really well received and so, by February 2021, I published my second book 'Rocky Road Rhymes', so titled because I thought that we were still travelling a rocky road. I published my third book ‘Pandemic Pondering’ in October 2021. In October 2024, I published my fourth book, Reflecting In Rhyme. I continue to write and I am delighted to find that people have used some of my poetry to produce videos on YouTube. Search ‘Julie Sheldon poems’ on YouTube and you will find a variety of videos, mainly narrating my poems, ‘What If It’s Just Nature’ and ‘The Same Boat’. My poetry has also been used in English lessons in a local village school, read out on a couple of radio stations, shared in local magazines, read at funerals, and more. I write about what I see and feel, in simple words. I always say that I am more ‘Pam Ayres’ than Shakespeare, and I mean that as a compliment to Pam. One of the best compliments I have received recently was from a lady at a local WI group, who, after I had done a talk and read out some of my poems, said to me….” Well, I’m 67 years old and I didn’t think I liked poetry, but you’ve changed my mind”. So….if you’re looking for fancy words, or anything too complex, then maybe my books aren’t for you, but, if you want honest, straightforward words that most people can relate to, then I’m your woman! No one is more surprised than me that I have written these poems, but I’m thrilled and humbled that people can relate to them and enjoy them.
Since June 2022, I have been contributing all of my profits from any book sales to The Brain Tumour Charity, as Ann, who set me off on this poetic journey, was found to have a brain tumour at that time, which came ‘out of the blue’. Sadly, from June 2023, Ann was no longer able to live at home, and her health continued to deteriorate**** . It is the saddest situation that I have ever witnessed. Prior to this, Ann was such a lively, active, ‘full of life’ person. I never set out to make money from my writing so I am more than happy to help a worthy cause that has become important to my friend. Please help me to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity to help them with their research. This could happen to any one of us, or our loved ones.
****UPDATE 1st December 2024. I am so sad to announce that Ann passed away on 27th November. May her spirit forever dance amongst the stars 🌟💕
