Author: J. Kelland Perry

In 2010, my husband and I left the city to escape to rural life in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and we're savoring every moment. I update my blog with everything I love through prose and photography, as well as posts about writing. My first novel was released in March 2016 and its sequel was released in March 2017. My third novel, The Women of Wild Cove, was published in September 2025, this time of the speculative genre.

Friday Bouquet #29

Published on by J. Kelland Perry

 

Because I have roots in Grates Cove, a little beluga whale has been all over my Facebook feed lately. That is where I recently discovered Jared through his Beluga At My Doorstep post.

His blog, Bird⋅the⋅Rock, specializes in bird & nature tours in Newfoundland.

From the blog’s About page:

Jared Clarke is a native Newfoundlander who grew up on the northeast coast of the island and was introduced to the outdoors at a very young age – mostly by his grandfathers…Despite his “official” training as a health researcher (PhD Medicine), his love of nature and sharing it with others has consistently led him astray. Jared has led tours big and small across Newfoundland; from historic St. John’s to the ancient Viking settlement of L’Anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of the island and many points in between.

Check out the beautiful photos Jared captured in the link below. There’s even a short video of the whale:

A Beluga At My Doorstep

I’ve disabled comments here in the hope you will comment on Jared’s blog.
If you do, please tell him Jennifer sent you.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

❤

A Title For My Sequel

Published on by J. Kelland Perry18 Comments

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My Young Adult novel is working through the various steps to reach the Release Date finish line.

The main edits are completed. The cover art is done and approved. My manuscript is now in the hands of Managing Editorial for copy-editing, layout, and proofing. After that it will head to typesetting. So much goes into the creation of a book!

In between the days I watch and wait for these steps and the days I work on edits to my second book of the series, I’ve been racking my brain, trying to come up with a title for the second book.

No, Calmer Girls Two does not appeal. Either does Calmer Girls – the Sequel. I like a book title that has a double meaning – like Calmer Girls – or a title that borrows a phrase or a line from another work. That could even include inspiration from a line in a song, a poem, or a nursery rhyme. Think: Along Came a Spider, or Norwegian Wood. I also like titles that are taken from a line or quote inside the book, as many authors have done. Think: To Kill A Mockingbird, or The Silence of the Lambs.

There is advice out there now that suggests you should name your book while keeping in mind keywords, SEO, categories and literary genres, all a part of improving its visibility in the digital marketplace.

As much as I still prefer reading Print books as opposed to eBooks, I know I am writing for a largely younger group of readers who love their eReaders and almost exclusively read all their books that way. Keeping that in mind will be beneficial for the upcoming marketing stage as well.
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In my research surfing, I happened upon a wonderful post by author Anne R. Allen that may help me find a title. If you’re a writer, you may find it helpful as well. Check it out below:

10 Tips for Choosing the Right Book Title in the E-Age
by Anne R. Allen

For Writers:  How do you title your books? Any tricks of the trade to share? 

For Readers:  What are some of your favourite book titles?
Have you ever bought a book because you loved its title?

Please share in the comments section below!

Connected

Published on by J. Kelland Perry18 Comments

What comes to your mind when you hear the word connected? For some, the word may conjure a mental image of all the gadgets we have, like our smart phones, computers, etc. that allow us to stay accessible and up-to-date in the digital world. Or it may make you think of being well-connected, in that you have successfully networked with the right people who can further your career or your mission in life.

The most meaningful connections for me, as they are for most, are the ones I make with people in person, especially one-on-one. These attachments are unique and irreplaceable. You know who you are<3. But as much as I treasure the relationships in my personal life, there is a lot to be said for the virtual connections I have made with other bloggers over the past three to four years.

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Living in a remote or rural area can make it difficult to find like-minded souls, especially in the writing arena. The blogosphere has been instrumental in solving that dilemma for me. The advice and the inspiration I have received from other bloggers has been nothing short of extraordinary since I started Jennifer’s Journal. A huge thanks to every one of you that I follow. Whether your blog shares writing, art, or photography, I am grateful to have met you through the internet.

Kath Unsworth of Minuscule Moments of Inspiration is one such blogger. Not only does Kath pursue the craft of writing, she is also a gifted artist. Her creativity and dedication to her artistic endeavors have influenced my own aspirations much more than she probably realizes. And because of the internet, it is no matter that she lives on a farm in Australia. Well, actually it does matter; her location adds even more intrigue for me. 🙂

I was lucky enough to win a contest Kath held last year, where my name was drawn to receive a free pet portrait. Here is the result:

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Vivian by Kath Unsworth

This summer, I was moved to acquire one of Kath’s original, highly affordable works of art from her newly opened Etsy shop, ScratchyBirdDesigns. Her love of birds speaks to me, so much so I had to have one of them adorning my wall. (Vivian is in my living-room, Willy Wagtail is in my kitchen-dining room.) Isn’t he beautiful?

Willie Wagtail
Willy Wagtail
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I also purchased her delightful fridge magnet (its slogan fits me to a tee):

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Like me, Kath understands the value of virtual connection. You can read about it in her blog post here:

The Magic of Virtual Friendships

You can visit her Etsy shop here:

ScratchyBirdDesigns

What does the word “connection” mean to you? 

Are you as grateful as I am,
for the connections you’ve made in the blogosphere?

*special thanks to Orange is the New Black for those gifs 😀

Friday Bouquet #28

Published on by J. Kelland Perry

 

In the middle of the afternoon yesterday, I received a welcome and gratifying email. My editor sent me – minus a few finishing touches – the cover art for my upcoming YA novel, Calmer Girls.

I. LOVE. IT. Since then, to say I am getting more excited about my book’s upcoming release is an understatement. As one of the teenagers in my book might say: “this sh*t just got real!”

In keeping with what is now on my mind 24/7, I’m sharing one of the writer blogs I follow. Jane Friedman is a writing coach with a wealth of useful tips and advice on building an author platform and getting published. In the post below, she interviews Hannah Goodman, a proud advocate and author of the Young Adult genre.

5 On: Hannah R. Goodman

I’ve disabled comments here in the hope you will comment on Jane’s blog.
If you do, please tell her Jennifer sent you.

Have a safe and happy Labour Day weekend, everyone.

❤

Search Party

Published on by J. Kelland Perry24 Comments

 

As anyone with a blog or a website knows, people online can find or happen upon our blogs using a variety of search terms. Some of those terms that have popped up on my blog admin section are logical and understandable, some are pretty strange, and still some others are downright funny.

I’ll start with a few of the logical search terms. My followers – at least the minuscule few who’ve visited since the beginning – will understand how these terms led searchers to Jennifer’s Journal:

  • Jennifer Kelland Perry, Jennifer Kelland – moi, the most logical 
  • cats at the ocean
  • cat ice
  • tentative cat
  • cats exploring – yes indeedy, you will find cats, ocean and ice here 
  • Newtown, Newfoundland – where?
  • Maisie and Vivian – and what are the cats’ names?

    Cats on Ice - Spring Thaw in Iceberg Alley
    Cats on Ice – Spring Thaw in Iceberg Alley

Then the cat theme begins to get humorous:

behold my French feline eyes - oo-la-la
behold my French feline eyes – oo-la-la
  • cat on an iceberg
  • fancy words for purr
  • jennifer with cat eyes
  • jennifer feline eyes
  • french jennifer cat eyes

Some other topics are right on the money:

  • polar bears in Newfoundland – a popular topic, only once for this blog
  • speciesism rant – one of my very few rants
  • pictures of patch quilt on clothesline – beautiful Greenspond 
  • little boy working on car – our grandsontenJ
  • you are my one and only blog – ❤
  • first date journal – ❤
  • Jennifer in varadero – Cuba!
  • heart turned cold quotes – I did pen a dark poem once…
  • journaling about bitterness – okay, twice!
  • reasons of dreams and meaning of dreams, see sleeping mouse in dream – because I put the word dream in a couple of my titles, I’m guessing
  • menopause feel like a furnace, perry menopause symptoms, hot flash journaling, internal combustion menopause – a topic of great concern out there, apparently, though I only blogged about it once
  • very cute images of love peace and understanding – but all they found were Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello!
  • Jennifer’s progress – my novel, the sequel? inquiring minds want to know
  • famous Jennifers in fiction – not me, but…maybe…someday?

Still giggling at the rest below. You will not find anything about the following topics in my blog:

  • having guy visitors in winter – shhh, don’t tell Paul!
  • cat foot ptarmigan – a new cross-breed?
  • scarlet woman – just call me the whore of Babylon
  • iceberg smelling  – hold on: is that a thing??
  • Jennifer is a racist blog – yikes! I swear you’ve got the wrong blog!

And my personal favourite:

  • Jennifer Kelland Perry the platypus

 Turns out there is an explanation for this one.
I just learned about this fellow when I did a search.

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Perry the Platypus

And there you have it. Someone looking for a platypus found me.

Have any funny or odd search terms from your blog to share?
Fess up in the comments below. 🙂

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A Poem by Vivian

Published on by J. Kelland Perry33 Comments

“Man’s Best Friend”

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by Vivian K. Perry

DSC_4685My master and I are best buddiesDSC_4686time together we do love to shareDSC_4688I have proven my “dogged” affectionDSC_4689For a cat, I am told, that is rareDSC_4773So it gives me great pleasure to flaunt it,DSC_4775how I’ll follow behind my fine friend,DSC_4779 stay with him as long as I’m needed, then…012…make a bed of his shorts at day’s end.

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Nighty-Night!

***

*Photo credits go to Paul Sautter Jr. – except for the last two 😉

The Poet’s Thought

Published on by J. Kelland Perry15 Comments

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The Poet’s Thought

“It came to him in rainbow dreams,
blent with the wisdom of the sages,
of spirit and of passion born;
in words as lucent as the morn
he prisoned it, and now it gleams
a jewel shining through the ages.”

~ Lucy Maud Montgomery

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* Ailsa’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Gleaming

 

Friday Bouquet #27

Published on by J. Kelland Perry

 

Happy Friday, all! Before I introduce this week’s recipient of Friday Bouquet:

Vivian and Maisie would like to extend a sincere and purry “thank you” for all the beautiful comments and well wishes on their 8th Birthday post, from all of their lovely followers both here and on Facebook, as well as the retweet on Twitter. Their mom and dad read, enjoyed, and treasured each and every one. 🙂

Now, on to the bouquet:

Brenda Knowles says her Space2Live blog is a place “where we intentionally reflect on core passions: art, nature,writing, reading, relationships,family, traveling, self-realization and spirituality.”

From her About Me page:

… I am an open listener, introspective, dreamy, expressive and a mom. When I say highly sensitive I don’t mean I cry at the drop of a hat or tremble like a Chihuahua. I’m not even shy. What I mean is, I will sense the moods of the people in a room and be affected. I am an introvert.
…Over-stimulate me (with noise, technology, hurrying, overscheduling, interruptions) and I am going to get overwhelmed and crabby and wish I could handle more. Writing is the perfect outlet.”

As much as I hate labels applied to people, the following post resonated with me. While reading it, I found myself wishing everyone could read it for a better understanding of why introverts and/or highly sensitive people have a need to withdraw at certain times. Maybe then we wouldn’t be described by certain others as “difficult” or “unsociable.” Maybe then we would be accepted for who we actually are, in spite of our differences.

Introverts and Withdrawal: Why We Do It

I’ve disabled comments here in the hope you will comment on Brenda’s blog.
If you do, please tell her Jennifer sent you.

Have a terrific weekend, everyone.

❤

Insignificance?

Published on by J. Kelland Perry38 Comments

11877690_10207190034729866_732640749_oWhen you look up at the stars, what do you see? Does the panorama of tiny infinite lights give you answers, or, as it does for many of us, raise infinite questions?

Every point of light in this sky is a star or an entire galaxy. Each galaxy holds billions of stars, with solar systems like ours orbiting each of them. Is it the Great Unknown or the Meaning of Life?11881381_10207190034849869_501418580_oBecause we are born egocentric, the prospect of our personal insignificance, and thus no afterlife, is disturbing.
Fear of our own mortality creates a need to believe in something greater than we are and that our death is not the end. In addition, if there is life after death, there is the belief in reunion with those we loved, lost, and grieve for.DSC_4740But if you hold an atheistic view, you accept and may even appreciate the notion of your own insignificance. If this was your attitude, would it make you feel that everything you do is futile?

Or is it simply the freedom and beauty of seeing our world, and our lives, from an omniscient perspective? The universe was here in all its immensity before we arrived, and will be long after we’re gone. Doesn’t that make our time here on earth all the more exquisite?11881335_10207190034889870_138625341_oAre we forgetting the value of living in the moment, the desire to improve the world for others, and the joy and privilege of telling those we love how much they mean to us, because one day our time will be up? 

Alas, this is just a blog post, not a lofty dissertation. 

Tell me what you think of, when you look up at the stars.

*Photos in this post were taken by my husband’s cousin, Paul Sautter Jr., on his recent visit with us. His superior camera, lens, and photography skills allowed him to capture the night sky on Perry’s Point in a way that is “light years” beyond my ability. I have so much to learn!

Vivian’s View From Here: It’s Our 8th Birthday!

Published on by J. Kelland Perry20 Comments

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Yay! Vivian here, letting everyone know it is our birthday today.
My sister, Maisie and I, have turned eight years old,
and we think it’s time for us to celebrate!

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Vivian
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Maisie

Aren’t we BEAUTIFUL? 🙂

eba3da36477f5fdaf89e92ed57ad8552-e1429638008574Remember how we looked when we were adopted?

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Here is a small gallery of us over the past eight years:

Cat Dreams
If Only
Meowy Christmas 🙂
Minding her own business
Vivan K. Perry
Vivian’s View From Here: Centre of Attention

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 Until next time, Maisie and I wish you all a purr-fect remainder to your summer.
As for today, don’t party too hardy for our sake;
simply enjoy a nice little treat or two in our honour.

We love you!
❤ 

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