United-Writers
Terry Trueman—Sheehan: Heartbreak and Redemption

From the INTRODUCTION to Sheehan: Heartbreak and Redemption by Terry Trueman

The version of Sheehan presented in this edition is the same as the earlier chapbook of the same title. A lot has happened on account of this poem since it was first published in 1992. Much of this is discussed in the interview that comprises part two of this book, the most thorough interview I have ever given and perhaps will ever give about these subjects.

Every writer writes to be read and only a few of us are lucky enough to achieve a widespread readership. Thanks to the extraordinary success of my first novel Stuck in Neutral, I am in this number and grateful for it. Yet the subject matter and the life experiences that made Sheehan and Stuck in Neutral possible are not those I would have chosen for myself or would have wished upon anyone else. My work is autobiographical, but it is not all true. Both in the poem Sheehan and in my fiction I strive for emotional truth, not for factual or narrow actuality. It is enough, I think, that a writer attempt to capture the heart of an experience. If you are seeking other kinds of ‘truth’ read encyclopedias or religious tracts, newspapers or watch the televangelists.

The Forward to Sheehan written by Chris Crutcher, first appeared in the fourth edition of the chapbook. The After Word by Michael Gurian, appeared in the edition right after that.

The interview in part two of this book is published here for the first time and was started with Kelly Milner-Halls over the months of August and September 2002, revisited in November and December of 2004, and completed just prior to this book going to press in early 2007.

I’d like to thank these writer friends, Chris, Michael and Kelly for their support, interest and involvement in keeping the poem Sheehan alive and well. Special thanks also to Stacie Wachholz for her role in editing and publishing this book and Stephanie Squicciarini for assisting, also to my family and friends who continue to support me. A writer’s life can sometimes be lonely, crazy and filled with moments of both bliss and desperation. Without the people who love me and keep me semi-attached to the earth, I’m not sure where I’d be, so on behalf of both myself and Sheehan, thanks.

Terry Trueman was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 15, 1947. He grew up in the northern suburbs of Seattle Washington where the family moved while he was still a baby. He graduated from the University of Washington and holds masters degrees in Applied Psychology and Fine Arts (Creative writing) from Eastern Washington University. Mr. Trueman is the author of six critically acclaimed and award winning novels for young adults (published by HarperCollins Children’s Books) and co-author of two non-fiction books for parents and educators with colleague and friend Michael Gurian. Many of Mr. Trueman’s short stories have been anthologized in national collections.

Trueman makes his home in Spokane Washington with his wife Patti. He travels extensively speaking about his work and writes every day. Visit Terry’s webpage at www.terrytrueman.com