Jen Holman

I have considered myself a writer since I was 9 years old when I opened a notebook and penned my first diary entry. Since then my life has been infused with the written word, as an avid reader, writer and list maker.

Stories written as a child and teen eventually gave way to essays and reports throughout my university education in Canada. I hold a B.A. degree in psychology, with my thesis focusing on the effectiveness of extrinsic vs. intrinsic motivation in learning. I earned my Masters degree in 2003. Through graduate school and beyond, I have worked extensively with young college students, guiding them in their written work. While my academic career focused on the humanities, I held fast to my love of reading and writing, fulfilling all my electives with English literature courses. The class I took on children's literature began a whole new love affair that I now get to share with my two children!

I have homeschooled for eight years and truly find delight in the writing and reading habits of my daughters — one a rabid devourer of graphic novels and all things Pokemon, and the other a fan fiction writer who loves classics. As a Brave Writer teacher, I cannot wait to get to know what makes your kids tick as well! Now living in Ontario, Canada after more than a decade in the Twin Cities, I write non-fiction (still in my journal, as well as online) and continue my research into learning and creativity in kids.

If you'd like to learn more about Jen, check out this interview on our blog!