Writing – Jennifer's Journal

Guest Post: Author Jacqui Murray

Published on July 6, 2026 by J. Kelland Perry27 Comments

I’m delighted to welcome fellow author Jacqui Murray to my blog today.

Balance of Nature is the third book in Jacqui’s Savage Land prehistoric fiction trilogy. I have read and enjoyed previous instalments of the author’s Man vs. Nature series, so it was no surprise that this one also quickly drew me in. Jacqui’s prose and research masterfully portrays the many struggles our earliest ancestors endured, while at the same time revealing the courage, tenacity, and shrewdness at the core of human existence since time immemorial.

Summary: A tribe haunted by the past. Lies that threaten the future. A reason to find the truth.

Savage Land is the third trilogy about prehistoric man in the series, Man. Vs. Nature. Savage Land explores how two bands of humans survived one of the worst natural disasters in Earth’s history, when volcanic eruptions darkened the sky, massive tsunamis crossed the ocean in crushing waves, and raging fires burned the land. Viral tribes of Neanderthals and early man considered themselves apex predators, but that crown belonged to Nature and she was intent on washing the two-legged blight from her lands.

In Balance of Nature, Book Three of the trilogy, Yu’ung’s Neanderthal tribe hopes to settle at Gibraltar but instead find unexpected threats and lethal challenges. 

Follow the courageous Yu’ung, the determined Kazeb, the mystical Shanadar, and the pawed-and-clawed Canis as they navigate a perilous world of tribal conflict, unexplained visions, and shifting loyalties. Their journey is a testament to the resilience and strength of true leadership in a sweeping saga that ultimately leads to who we are today. 

Book information:   Print, digital, audio soon available:    http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0G45MFBWW
Genre: Prehistoric fiction
Editor: Anneli Purchase

Jacqui is sharing with us today an article she has written about writer’s block. Take it away, Jacqui!

When asked, my answer to writer’s block always is, “I don’t get it”, but in writing this article, I paused to think about what that meant. Right now, I’m pretty burnt out over writing my current book. I don’t want to start the next in the series so I’m reading and researching. Is that what some consider “writer’s block”? To me, it’s necessary time to redirect. invigorate my mind.

What is writer’s block?

So which is it? Is writer’s block a temporary mental fatigue from overwriting or the burn out people often suffer from overworking on their jobs? I decided to ask some experts:

In his book Writer’s Block, educational psychologist Mike Rose defines it as: “a breakdown in the writer’s ability to generate text due to rigid or inappropriate rules about writing.”

Keith Hjortshoj in Understanding Writing Blocks describes it as: “a temporary inability to produce new work, often accompanied by anxiety, frustration, or self-doubt.”

Jerry Seinfeld simply says:

“Writer’s block is a phony, made-up BS excuse for not doing your work.”

Seth Godin is equally dismissive:

“I write like I talk and I don’t get talker’s block.”

How to cure writer’s block?

Now that we know what the experts consider writer’s block to be, how do you cure it? Most solutions require you give up perfectionism and ditch a schedule, ultimately freeing your creativity. Here are a few concrete ideas:

1. Take a break from writing and do one of the other many tasks required of writers. Market your last book. Update older books. Mix it up on social media to find new friends (especially if your old ones are becoming less responsive). Research a new book. Travel to an area that inspires you. People watch. Most of the time one of these will inspire you.

2. If you’re writing in a vacuum, seek out online or in-person groups. You don’t have to share your work, just talk writing with like-minded individuals.

3. Forget deadlines. Give yourself permission to finish when you’re done, not on some deadline that probably no one cares about. If you have a boss who enforces that deadline, test his/her limits. Creativity rarely works well with rules, deadlines, and pedantic orders.

4. If you feel like you’ve run out of ideas, ignore the adage “write what you know”. Who can do that? I guarantee I can’t write about my experiences living with Neanderthals. Read on a topic that interests you until you feel you know it.

Author bio: Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes 100+ books on tech into education, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics.

Author Links & Social Media:

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Murray/e/B002E78CQQ

Blog: https://worddreams.wordpress.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/askatechteacher

X: http://twitter.com/worddreams

Website: https://jacquimurray.net

Snapshots from a Summer Day*

Published on June 30, 2026 by J. Kelland Perry10 Comments

The Ragtag Daily Prompt today is Summer Memories! I thought I’d share this favourite evergreen post as an introduction to a summer series I plan to showcase in the next few months. ☀️

*Ragtag Daily Prompt: Summer Memories

All poetry and images are my own.

A Life That Matters*

Published on June 19, 2026 by J. Kelland Perry12 Comments

When I saw the Daily Prompt on WordPress this morning: “What’s a common misconception people have about happiness?”, I couldn’t help but think about a post I made back in 2017. I’m sharing it again because it addresses that question. And with the passage of time, my own opinion has changed somewhat, so I have made a few small updates.

“It doesn’t matter who we are, what we are doing and what our station in life is, we all have the ability to contribute to something beyond ourselves and (to find) purpose in doing so.” – Emily Esfahani Smith, author of The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters.

According to Smith’s research, it isn’t happiness that makes life worth living – it is meaning. It is rising each day with a purpose. As simple and as uncomplicated as that sounds, I wonder how many of us have been chasing the wrong thing.

Is developing a “meaning mindset” the only true answer to achieving fulfillment?

Living on auto-pilot, or chasing mostly what brings you pleasure, or working long and crazy hours, driving yourself to exhaustion to conform to someone else’s definition of success – do any of these pursuits sound like happiness to you?

Or have you already figured this out?

Update: Our purpose, or anything that fulfills us, can change with time; from education to self-expression, from career and to parenthood and beyond. The main thing is, hopefully, whatever endeavour, it gives a measure of satisfaction and meaning.

I think we are all guilty of “living on autopilot” from time to time. Life and its many challenges have a tendency to do that to you. I do believe in the randomness of life, and yet also believe in self-actualization which helps give you a sense of direction, to give those experiences more meaning than ever.

Something has to generate that singular feeling of being alive in a positive way. What will make me happy? But “happiness” is far too vague a goal to me. What passion or purpose will make me feel more alive?

Some of us may take a little longer to figure out what gives meaning to our days. Sometimes, the smallest things can give meaning, and matter a great deal to someone else. A life with purpose would also take us outside ourselves so that we can’t help but take others into account. At least that is my perception of what Smith’s book is telling us.

Have you found your meaning?

*First posted in June 2017

The Women of Wild Cove: A Thought-Provoking Future for Only 99¢*

Published on June 1, 2026 by J. Kelland Perry

My latest novel in e-book format is only 99¢ for all of June!

“An intriguing view of the future … I was both thrilled and, at times, appalled with its methods of survival … I love novels that make you think.” – Marie Ann Bailey

“… A love story of the land, of its people, of friendships and of justice.”
– Carol Balawyder

“A timely book – a dystopian future triggered by runaway global warming.” – Atlanta Reader

“Fascinating exploration of a peaceful matriarchal society in a deteriorating & violent world. The book is engaging and suspenseful and hard to put down.” – Luanne Castle

“… An ambitious book that delivers on all fronts … great world-building … and dimensional characters who are easy to root for. I loved the feminist bent as well, along with the Eastern Canadian setting. All in all a great read!” – Carrie

“Two hundred years in the future, society and the environment has collapsed. The story follows the life of Kat, an 18-year-old girl who lives in a matriarchal society in Newfoundland … I found the story captivating and compelling.” – Marie

“Can women rule better than men? Highly recommended to readers who enjoy post-apocalyptic thrillers that raise interesting questions about human nature, power, and control.” – D.W. Peach

“The story balances world-building with real human stakes, and the final choices Kat faces are both heartbreaking and believable.” – Elsie

“A very thought-provoking book.” – Lulu

“A broken lawless world or one ruled by women that seems to work … I settled into my reading chair for what prior experience with this author told me would be a well spun tale.” – Jacqui Murray

*Available on Amazon Kindle, Indigo Kobo, Barnes & Noble Nook, and wherever fine books are sold.

Evergreen Post: Calmer Secrets Setting in Pictures

Published on May 13, 2026May 20, 2026 by J. Kelland Perry14 Comments

This is Part Two of the Calmer Girls series setting in pictures.

Calmer Secrets takes place in Newfoundland in 1997-98, four years later than the first book. (The Calmer Girls Book One setting pictorial can be seen here.)

First, let’s take a look at Samantha’s school in Corner Brook, Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus on the west coast of the province. Samantha is enrolled in the Visual Arts program there.

When Samantha returns to St. John’s during a school break, she goes downtown with Veronica and her friends. In one of the George Street clubs, she sees cover band, Cold Plate, and is reunited with her high school friend Kalen there.

**George Street, lined with pubs, in downtown St. John’s**

**x 3: The annual George Street Festival entertainment always draws huge crowds.**

Later in the story, tragedy strikes.
The youngest character in the book is brought to the Janeway Children’s Hospital,
the one that existed at that time.
A new facility was built a couple of years later.

The following photos depict Samantha and Ben’s boat tour experience out of St. John’s Harbour.

**The Battery at the foot of Signal Hill**

**Samantha takes pictures of an iceberg like this…**

Check out this real boat tour short video:

Photo sources: Grenfell College, NL Tourism, Eastern Health, Pinterest, Google (public domain)

Thanks for coming along!

There is only now …

Published on April 28, 2026 by J. Kelland Perry12 Comments

There is only now.
An open window
a fresh breeze
to welcome
this bright and beautiful
April day.

– J. Kelland Perry

“The book is engaging and suspenseful and hard to put down…”

Published on March 29, 2026 by J. Kelland Perry8 Comments

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A new 5-Star review was published today for The Women of Wild Cove on Amazon & Goodreads, by Luanne Castle, Author. That makes 21 ratings and 12 reviews on Goodreads with an average of 4.24 out of 5, and 10 global ratings and 6 reviews on Amazon.com with an average of 4.4 out of 5.

The Women of Wild Cove by Jennifer Kelland Perry

“Jennifer Kelland Perry’s latest novel, The Women of Wild Cove, imagines a utopian community set within a dystopian world. This matriarchal village, one of several in the region, is self-sustaining (with bartering between villages) and peaceful. The book is engaging and suspenseful and hard to put down.

What fascinated me even more than the action of the plot and the characterization is to see how the community functions. These villages are a response to a world ruined by the greed and violence of a male-dominated society. As long as the community is not disturbed by the outside world, the peace holds-and the male peons and consorts seem content with their positions. But what happens when there is an outside threat? And the storyline begs other questions as well. For instance, is the tradeoff to get peace at the expense of the autonomy of the men? As a retired English lecturer, I predict that this novel would generate thoughtful and spirited class discussions.

Perry’s novel is in the best traditions of dystopian and utopian novels; however, she has interjected a thread woven throughout. The community collects the stories of women who have written down what happened to them, both in the “old” world and in their new world. Much of the stories are about the violence and abuse men perpetuated on women, making a strong case for this matriarchal society.”

Read from: Mar 25, 2026 – Mar 28, 2026

Shelved as: read, sci-fi, fiction

The e-book is 99¢ but only until the end of March!
*Available on Kindle, Indigo Kobo, Barnes & Noble Nook, Apple Books, and others.

Indigo: The Women of Wild Cove

Amazon: The Women of Wild Cove

Calmer Girls: 10th Anniversary of my Debut Novel

Published on March 24, 2026April 20, 2026 by J. Kelland Perry15 Comments

Ten years ago today, my first novel Calmer Girls was published. I’m sharing a post from one year later, Calmer Girls Setting in Pictures, to give you an idea of how my birthplace of St. John’s, NL made for such a wonderful setting.

CALMER GIRLS SETTING IN PICTURES

Although Calmer Girls is a fictional tale, its Canadian setting certainly isn’t.

It was fun writing a pair of novels set in my birthplace of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and perhaps the following pictorial will better explain why it had inspired me. After all, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!

All of these locations are featured in scenes throughout the first novel. Calmer Cove is not included as it is semi-fictional.

Samantha and her sister took their first ride in Ben Swift’s T-bird to Signal Hill and along the harbourfront. Later, Samantha took pictures of a cruise ship in the Narrows.

**Cabot Tower on Signal Hill – National Historic site**

**Where Ben Swift lives: Gower Street, in all its vibrant colours**

**Where Samantha, Veronica and their mother live: Military Road**

**Cape Spear. Sam, Ben and Kalen visit here. This is the oldest original lighthouse structure in the province.**

**x 2: Aerial view of Cape Spear – the most easterly point in all of North America**

**x 3: Cape Spear National Historic Site – new lighthouse**
Newfoundland, Canada

**House similar to rich girl Crystal’s. She has a party one night where Ben loses his temper. (Canada House on Circular Road, Heritage Property)**

**St. John’s Regatta at Quidi Vidi Lake, where Samantha and Ben share their first kiss.**

**Bannerman Park, where Samantha and Ben get busted while kissing. Also where Ben loses it – again! – and punches his buddy Kalen in the face.**

**The War Memorial, where Ben finally confesses his depression to Samantha.**

**Planned Parenthood – NL Sexual Health Centre, where Veronica visits!**

Thanks for visiting my hometown, which is, in my opinion,
one of the most vibrant and colourful places on earth.

Photo sources: NL Tourism, Government sites, Wikipedia, Google (public domain)

Come back next time for Part 2: Calmer Secrets Setting

A Reblog: ”You’ve Never Read a Dystopian Book Like It” by Jacqui Murray

Published on March 8, 2026 by J. Kelland Perry

The Women of Wild Cove–You’ve never read a dystopian book like it

99¢ Sale for March

Published on March 2, 2026 by J. Kelland Perry8 Comments

Happy Monday, friends, followers and fellow bookworms! It’s March now as well, so after a particularly snowy winter here in Atlantic Canada, we are getting closer to our long-awaited Spring. Yes!

I have e-book news. My publisher, Running Wild Press, has designated March as Words of Women Month. You guessed it—my novel, The Women of Wild Cove, is featured, and is now on sale in ebook form for 99¢ for the entire month. *