birthplace – Jennifer's Journal

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

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

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.