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Living With A Difference
In 2006 Jennie wrote a book about a heroine with a disability. That book was ‘Memo:Marry Me?’ and Lily Kellaway had a brain trauma that affected her short-term memory and meant she had to approach living her life a little differently to how others perhaps did so.

In a way the book was almost prophetic, as Jennie herself was diagnosed less than a year later with a combination of chronic vertigo, a jerky eye movement, and glitches in some of her interpretation and response functions that meant she, too, would need to adapt her life to cope with differences and certain limitations she hadn’t anticipated.

Bright light, glare, repetitive motion, scents, clutter, flickering and crowds can all create challenges in Jennie’s day-to-day life. A neat home, sunglasses for outside wear, deep breathing exercises and a big hat take care of some of the problems. Jennie is still learning ways to deal with others.

Have these challenges affected her writing? Jennie hopes so – hopes they have added another layer of understanding and empathy to her work as she writes about heroes and heroines who face struggles we all could face in our daily lives. And on a more practical level as Jennie focuses on writing her books? Her inspirational collages are pasted in neat rows these days, and she has a far tidier desk!

 

Food and Friendship
The Girls in the Basement (a phrase coined by author Barbara Samuel to describe the ‘muse’ or ‘writing inspiration’) do their best thinking for Jennie when she is doing housework, or cooking, or subconsciously as she gets out of the house to visit with friends. Since she likes food quite well, and housework not so much, Jennie enjoys trying out new recipes in her kitchen when she needs a little ‘think’ time between writing bouts at the computer. Some of her popular cooking efforts have included iced-Christmas cake, almond shortbread cookies, soups and casseroles and pavlova.

Jennie maintains a strong worldwide web presence and is a member of a number of email writing groups, and an active participant in several chat threads on her publisher’s website at http://www.eharlequin.com. When she isn’t Instant Messaging with friends in America, England and Australia, or writing on her blog, Jennie likes to update her reader shelf on Shelfari, and visit blogs and websites of fellow authors.

 

Crafts and Creativity – the butterfly approach
Though she doesn’t get as much time for it as she might like, Jennie enjoys exploring a variety of craft activities. Jennie has worked with appliqué, embroidery, latch hook cushion-making, basic macramé, and continues to explore knitting and her current all-time favourite craft activity – hand decorating ceramic cups and coasters which she foists on her family and friends.

 

Star Trek
You won’t find any Star Trek memorabilia in Jennie’s home. Series boxed sets are another matter! Star Trek Next Generation is Jennie’s all time favourite science fiction series, and she enjoys re-watching episodes across all the series. Star Trek is an excellent study in human nature. The story lines and dilemmas can be as small as how to get rid of a tribble (small furry creature that reproduces faster than a rabbit) or as large as an interference in the time line that could wipe out all trace of sentient life, past, present or future.

Lt Worf (played by Michael Dorn in both Next Generation and Deep Space Nine) is The Best Klingon Ever, although Klingon women, as a gender, rate a very close second. Shape shifters rock. In fact, sometimes they turn into rock. Ferengi are the aliens you love to find repulsive. And you haven’t lived unless you’ve heard the Star Trekkin song by the band ‘The Firm’. Google it. Seriously. Try this You Tube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlTMXiqbDZU  

 

 

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