Category: Writing

Staying Warm…and Inspired

Published on by J. Kelland Perry20 Comments

At long last and according to our milder forecast for the next few days, I don’t have to wear this when I go out for a walk.

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There have even been sightings of robins, can you believe it? Could Spring be arriving extra early this year? Or are these poor, confused robins that forgot to fly south?

In any case, I’m happy it is warmer for how ever long it lasts, and thoughts of winter ending at some point (the days are getting longer!) fills me with anticipation. Husband and I are considering a tropical vacay in a couple of months, so that helps me keep warm too, with visions of hot sandy beaches and warm fun-filled nights, and the smell of fruity drinks and suntan lotion by a relaxing pool.

But you know what else helps to keep me warm? My peeps here at WordPress. And as promised, here is a shout-out to my most prolific commenters, a rather diverse group, who also happen to be bloggers too.

TALKTODIANA – Diana is a gal full of wit and wisdom, a friendly, community-minded breath of fresh air whose blog I adore. A fellow Canadian with a lovely sense of humour, Diana always comes up with interesting topics to blog about.

Miniscule Moments of Inspiration –  Kath Unsworth is a writer and illustrator from Australia. She pens and does the artwork for children’s books, loves animals, and she never fails to stimulate and encourage me with her creative talent. She is also a wife and mother, and lives and works on a dairy farm.

Almost Spring – Elizabeth is another blogger I follow from the Land Down Under. An introvert like myself, her blog is all about her journey from “we” to “me”, and how her divorce has propelled her into a fascinating study of self-examination and what an individual needs to define and sustain a sense of purpose and wellbeing.

GREENLIGHTLADY – Wendy is another fellow Canadian – from the opposite coast! – who is a  photographer extraordinaire and an inspiring poet. She blogs about the beauty of nature and all the things she is thankful for, and is always there with a supportive word.

Seasons Change, and so have I – Carla and I started blogging around the same time and was my first follower. As her blog name attests, she has gone through many changes, even since she started blogging, and I admire her for her honest and forthright views on everything from mental health to current events. She is from Kentucky, USA.

jmgoyder – Julie is a sweetheart of a lady from Australia (what is it with these wonderful Aussie women?) who is a retired Creative Writing and English lecturer. She keeps us inspired with her posts about her husband with advanced Parkinson’s disease, and her teenage son who has just turned twenty. She poignantly shares her life, the highlights and the low moments alike, with her readers. Always a worthwhile read.

For all bloggers out there, is there anyone you know who warms your heart and is deserving of a “bouquet” for being a loyal follower? Or is there a blog you follow you’d love to tell the world about?

Winter Woes and Looking on the Bright Side

Published on by J. Kelland Perry24 Comments

Well, what a week it has been around these parts! Old Man Winter in Newfoundland, as it has been for much of the continent caught in the “Polar Vortex,” is baring his teeth and delivering a wallop to most areas, a wallop stronger than any in recent memory. It has made some of us wish we could hibernate until spring, and others long to escape down south for an extended vacation or even retirement.

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But the weather has also made some people shine. Like the old expression about when the going gets tough, that is just what was needed when our version of a “perfect storm” arrived: record low frigid temperatures, record amounts of early snowfall, and lengthy bone-chilling blackouts, the like which has not been experienced since 1994. Add a blizzard and our inadequate power infrastructure for our needs today, and you’ve got real trouble.

photo credit: Newfoundland page, Facebook
photo credit: Newfoundland page, Facebook

Sometimes it takes a situation, (or a “crisis,” if I may, Premier Dunderdale) to see who the heroes are, to see who is willing to stop complaining, roll up their sleeves and help wherever help is needed. No matter where any blame lies that contributed to the power problem, I’m the sort of person who prefers to look at the positive side of things whenever possible. I have heard stories of gratitude for those who shovelled, plowed, or dug people out of their homes. I have seen good folks answer the call when warm food and shelter were needed, and still others with wood stoves and propane fireplaces open their homes and offer comfort. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Newfoundland Power maintenance workers and crews, the snow plow operators, and everyone who worked and is still working tirelessly to return everything back to some semblance of normal.

photo credit: Newfoundland page, Facebook
photo credit: Newfoundland page, Facebook

But it is the personal stories that warm me more than any wood stove can. Like the couple who went ahead with their wedding Saturday night in spite of the blackout and the freezing temperatures (link below). No, perhaps it was far from ideal, but they have quite a story to tell their children and grandchildren one day.

Even my daughter and son-in-law were up to the challenge this weekend, when they decided not to postpone our granddaughter’s sleepover birthday party at home, but went ahead with the event in the dark. Son-in-law even barbecued hot dogs outside in the freezing cold for them. And the party was a success! These are the things lasting memories are made of.

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So whether this makes you think Newfoundlanders are hardy, or just plain foolhardy, that is entirely beside the point. All I know is the warmth of the human spirit is alive and well in our little corner of the continent.

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Do you have any storm or power outage stories to share? How about one with an unexpected positive spin?

 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/couple-braves-blackout-marries-by-candlelight-1.2485547

Thank You, Readers and Followers ♥

Published on by J. Kelland Perry12 Comments

Jennifer’s Journal has revelled in an amazing second year in the blogosphere, and it is all because of you! and you! and you too!142

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you, from eighty different countries, who have followed my little blog, liked each post, and took the time to share your thoughts and comments with me. This goes for those of you who liked and commented via Facebook as well. A special nod to those who shared on Facebook, reblogged on WordPress, and to those who retweeted on Twitter. 🙂

the warmest visit I can ever remember on Signal Hill

These are my posts that got the most views in 2013.

These are my posts that got the most likes in 2013.

In my next post, I will highlight my most frequent commenters, because it was your kind words that kept me inspired and driven to post each week.

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Cheers to you all as we welcome 2014. Muahh!
Love, Jennifer
xoxo

Why Do I Blog?

Published on by J. Kelland Perry22 Comments

Why does an individual like me keep a blog? I have been asked this on a few occasions, and at times it makes me stop and think, and even reassess what my intention is.

As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts and on my About Me page, the origin of this journal came to me as a way to create consistently, in the form of a poem, a musing, or a small gallery of my personal photography. Usually the subject of these posts focused on something or someone I love, a topic I feel strongly about, or a place I have visited and wanted to share through pictures.

I also reported from time to time on my work in progress, a coming of age novel, Calmer Girls. (This is my working title and may or may not be the ultimate one.) My hope was by mentioning it in my blog and simply putting it out there, I would become more accountable and motivated to see it through to its completion.

I can say, without a doubt, my plan has been effective. This is not to say my blog is wonderful or the novel is going to be commercially successful. But what I can say, is that I took on a challenge, didn’t quit, and tried my best. Yes, due to the very nature of life and all it entails, there have been some weeks where I have found it difficult to produce anything, but thankfully those weeks have been in the minority. To a large extent I am pleased with my efforts, and the direction my blog and my new novel have taken.

I am expecting the novel will be ready for its first critique by the end of January. And I have no intentions of ending my blogging life any time soon! This is due in large part to the pleasure I derive from keeping it going each week, and connecting with so many other bloggers and readers all over the world. A number of my followers have been a Godsend, checking in and commenting regularly on my posts and encouraging me all along the way. You know who you are. 🙂 In the very near future I am planning to highlight my most faithful and prolific commenters and give their wonderful blogs the shout-outs they deserve. They are the ones that help make blogging for me so rewarding.

This joy of discovery is real, and it is one of our rewards. So too is the approval of our work by our peers. ~ Henry Taube

What’s money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do. ~ Bob Dylan

Keep on being good to one another!

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For My Mother

Published on by J. Kelland Perry11 Comments

Reblogging my post from a year ago. This is the first anniversary of our mother’s passing, and a difficult year it was. You are always in my heart, Mom x

Reinvention

Published on by J. Kelland Perry23 Comments

 

Dad in his "Saxophone Era" at age 19 with his dog Texie (1953)
Dad in his “Saxophone Era” at age 19 with his dog Texie (1953)

In a recent telephone conversation with my aunt in the U.S., we got to talking about my dad (her brother), in his early years. Long before he fell in love with and married my mother, my father was an interesting fellow in his own right, excelling in his school studies and discovering his deep passion for all things musical.

Most likely because of the popularity of the big bands and swing music back in the day, his first musical instrument of choice was the saxophone.

Later, when icons like Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins, and Glen Campbell, to name a few, came on the scene, Dad took up the guitar. When Beatlemania exploded, he joyously took part by buying their albums  and learning to play many of their songs. As many can attest, he stayed devoted to guitar music the rest of his life.

Dad at age 21 on Albany Street, St. John's (1955)
Dad at age 21 on Albany Street, St. John’s (1955)

As you can see from the above photo, my father was very thin when he was young. But after he married Mom, he began the quest of bodybuilding, transforming himself into the strong, well-muscled dad his children grew up with.

Pondering these things about my father made me think about the power of reinventing oneself. Sometimes the reinvention is necessary for survival, for instance a health issue demanding change. Other times it is a choice we make in the belief it will make us happier and more fulfilled.

I have had some reinventions of my own throughout my life. A few examples:

1. stay-at-home mom

2. customer representative in a bank

3. writer and blogger

Number three became possible when my husband and I did what my parents had done later in their lives: made the big move out of the city and into the country. Doing so gave me new insight into why they made such a change, and the benefits of this lifestyle which happen to better suit our personalities too.

People who cannot invent and reinvent themselves must be content with borrowed postures, secondhand ideas, fitting in instead of standing out. ~ Warren G. Bennis

Have you done anything in your life to reinvent yourself? I’d love to hear from you if you have your own tale of reinvention to share. Don’t be shy. 🙂

~~Special thanks to Auntie who sent me these precious photos XOXO~~

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Completing My First Draft: Three Things I’ve Learned

Published on by J. Kelland Perry51 Comments

 

Two weeks ago today, I had a fabulous evening.

Late on that Friday afternoon, I typed the last word of the last sentence of the last chapter of my Work In Progress. It felt wonderful! What a sense of satisfaction filled me as I raised my glass of Cabernet and toasted to my awesomeness. What an accomplishment! I spent the rest of the evening, and well into the night, celebrating, mentally patting myself on the back and grinning like an idiot.

My euphoria lasted about as long as the hangover. Over the next couple of days as planned, I reviewed a few of the writing tips and tricks I had bookmarked for my upcoming revision and editing process, and I crashed back to sober reality. I realized there was still plenty of work ahead, and instinctively I know certain areas have to be improved, rearranged, and completely rewritten, and then there’s my iPad with an app full of collected notes, jockeying to make it into the finished product as well.

But that’s okay. Every writer knows the first rough draft is exactly that: a first run, a rough copy, and yes, some of it is just plain shit. But in among the steaming heaps that stank, I knew there were jewels just waiting to be polished, the little jewels that make it all worthwhile.

Here are three chief concepts I believe every writer, who truly wants to be a writer, needs to remember.

1. No one wants to read about a Goody Two Shoes. If I expect readers to keep turning the pages, my characters have to be flawed. Whether that makes you like them, or love to hate them, depends on the types of flaws they embody – and maybe it depends on the sort of person you are, and what types of characters you are drawn to and like to read about. As important as plot may be, really, it’s all about the characters.

2. If you aren’t having any fun while you write, I don’t know how you will ever make it as a writer. A writer writes because she wants to, she has to, regardless of recognition or book sales. The fulfilment is in the process. And it’s a hard process. The best piece of advice I read about writer’s block was to put the manuscript aside and try penning a poem, or exploring another creative endeavor.

3. You have to want to write another book as soon as you’re finished the one you are now writing, The sweet possibility of a sequel keeps whispering in my ear, and that excites me. If I do write a sequel, however, it doesn’t mean the first one will depend on it. The novel I’m writing now will be able to stand alone in its own right. Then there are the flashes of inspiration for other book ideas that come during my writing, to which I can refer and develop when needed.

I’m waiting another couple of weeks to give myself more objectivity, before I start revisions. In the meantime there are plenty of good books and other reading material that beg for my attention.

Then on to the Second Draft!

Please share your thoughts with me about your Work in Progress. 🙂

 

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The Creation of a Novel: a Progress Report

Guest Post: Vivian’s View from Here – Part III

Published on by J. Kelland Perry13 Comments

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Greetings to all,
Folks, Felines and otherwise!

It’s me, Vivian K. Perry, the shedding-est, purring-est, head-butting-est pussy cat in the land, and once again I am pleased and honoured to cover this evening’s blog post, here at Jennifer’s Journal.

We love to explore the Point
                            We love to explore our environment.

           Maisie and I have been enjoying a gorgeous sun-and-fun-filled summer here on Perry’s Point.

Jennifer is feeling a little under the weather as of late, but no worries, I’m sure she’ll bounce back to her old self, quicker than you can say meow. We’ll see to that.

Maisie LOVES the Outdoors
                          Maisie LOVES the Outdoors
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                                    I adore soaking up morning rays on the deck.
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                                  Gotta love the batman shadow.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Nico & his "dad"
          Nico & his “dad”

We entertained visitors on several occasions, but stayed clear of that overgrown Golden Doodle, Nico, because he is simply too friendly in that annoyingly brash doggy way of his.

chowing down in a patch of sunlight
                                Maisie chowing down in a patch of sunlight

We did take a two week trip to St. John’s, but were oh-so grateful to return home to our walks along the coastline, relaxing sun baths,  hunting of tiny critters, and all that priceless freedom.

splendor in the grass
                                                      “splendor in the grass”

For those who don’t know how we got our names, here goes:  When Jennifer and her husband adopted us from the SPCA, the lovely staff had already named us Maggie and Storm. But our new staff thought they could do better.

Jennifer asked, “Do we know a couple of sisters who are always together?” After some brainstorming, Jennifer’s husband suggested the names of two of Jennifer’s aunts, who often spend time together. “Yes,” she squealed. “That’s perfect! I always liked their names as well, so Maisie and Vivian they will be.” And the aunts got a kick out of it too.

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Come play with me?
                                            Come play with me?
Please rub my peach- patched chin?
Please rub my peach- patched chin?
Silent as a Sphinx
                         Silent as a Sphinx
Thank you being such gracious visitors, and don't be shy - I will be sure to pass on your comments. :)
How did you spend your summer? Thank you for being such gracious visitors, and don’t be shy – I will be sure to pass on your comments.

                                                                                Meow!  ♥

  Further Feline Reading:

Vivian’s View From Here
Vivian’s View From Here – Part II 
Cats on Ice – Exploring Spring Thaw in Iceberg Alley

                                                                             

 

Life Stories

Published on by J. Kelland Perry31 Comments

“There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy.”  ~  Mark Twain

Mark Twain
Mark Twain (Wikipedia)

As a writer, I believe in these words from the great Mark Twain with all my heart. Each of us has an interesting and unique story to tell, with a new angle, and a fresh take on our individual life experiences.

As a fitting example, my mother-in-law shared the following with me this afternoon when we visited her.

“My father first set his eyes on my mother, Amelia, or Millie as she was called, when he was twenty and she was only twelve. Even at that tender age, she must have stolen his heart, because he told her, “Millie, I have to go away to work at sea, but when I come back, I will marry you.” Upon his return eight years later, he was true to his word. He took her as his wife, and nine months after the wedding, I was born. My father loved the name Mona, so he was the one that named me.”

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wiki.jpg

The way she shared the story of how she came into the world resonated with me.

As life often goes, however, what started out as a romantic tale eventually encompassed great personal tragedy, hardship, and sacrifice.

My mother-in-law’s story of her family could easily fill the pages of an epic novel. It is a story I would consider worthy of recording and retelling one day.

Have you been moved by someone’s words in a conversation recently? As a writer or blogger, are you listening for new story opportunities in every-day life?

How about your own experiences? Have you ever considered writing a memoir?

It’s All About the Characters

Published on by J. Kelland Perry19 Comments
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James Gandolfini

In this age of PVR’s, boxed sets and better technology, my husband and I do most of our television viewing on demand and series by series. For instance, right now we escape into fantasy land by watching alternating episodes of Mad Men and Dexter, and are awaiting the return of Breaking Bad in August. Throw in Weeds for comic relief, and we were all set.

As coincidence would have it, we have the first two seasons of the Sopranos waiting for us when we finish Mad Men for the year. I know, I know, you are probably asking what rock were we living under to have not seen Tony Soprano and his show yet! My best answer would be that when it first came on TV back in the day, Husband and I were a little tired of the gangster genre from movies and decided not to partake. Recently, though, I saw the list of the top three TV shows voted for best writing, and they were the Twilight Zone, Seinfeld, and the Sopranos.

Trusting this list because we loved the first two, I suggested we should give the Sopranos a look-see. In addition, many of our friends had highly praised the show ad nauseum.

Then we hear the tragic news of James Gandolfini‘s massive fatal heart attack yesterday,  the demise of a great actor who just so happens to be my age (I always thought he was older). The outpouring of grief in the media, including social media, cannot be ignored.

This actor created a character that obviously resonated with many. The story line may be compelling as well, but isn’t it the characters that draw you back to watch a show again and again? Simply put, without the intricacies and nuances of a character to keep your attention, would a story be even half as interesting?

Don Draper of Mad Men works on Madison Avenue
Don Draper of Mad Men – IMBd

I wouldn’t care much about Mad Men if I wasn’t trying to figure out what made Don Draper tick. The same goes for Dexter Morgan and Walter White. Without these unique opportunities for character study, these shows wouldn’t hold our attention beyond the first few scene changes.

Dexter Morgan
Dexter Morgan – wikipedia

Fiction novels are exactly the same. If I can’t in some way identify or be fascinated by the main character at least, the book is not worth reading to me. What would I do in this particular individual’s situation? Even if I can’t see myself behaving that way or saying those words, does the protagonist at least show me a way of understanding his or her actions?

tv_breaking_bad01As I write my own novel, I keep this uppermost in my mind. It is all about the characters. They are who the readers, and the viewers, fall in love with.

Rest in Peace, James. As you prematurely leave this world, I am about to delve into another one, the world you created as Tony Soprano. For another opportunity to study an enduring and memorable character, I am forever grateful.

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James Gandolfini – IMBd