About JJ
JJ is a Canadian writer and teacher.
She is constantly amazed by the real-life stories around her. This site is her love letter to the messy, beautiful parts of life that deserve to find their way onto the pages of a good book—and to the creative souls who will put them there.
JJ has written both fantasy and contemporary YA adventures. As a rule of thumb, she enjoys writing about characters who are much smarter, funnier, and braver than she is.
JJ has:
Two degrees, neither of which have to do with writing books but both of which have helped her to pay her rent
Patient neighbors who put up with her loud singing
An endless capacity for watching Spider-Man movies
A lot of perseverance (don’t we all, fellow writers?)
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
About the Blog
Whether you having been writing for decades or are just setting out on your authorial journey, this site is designed to provide you with a source of fresh inspiration. It is a place to find quick tips for your craft and new ideas for your own content.
In the blog, you will find:
Interviews with real people whose careers or hobbies could help inform your own unique characters
Descriptive posts about real-world settings that could become the backdrop for your next novel
Observations about common truths and experiences that may help to add new depth and realism to your work
Advice on the drafting and editing processes
“Look at the stars! look, look up at the skies!
O look at all the fire-folk sitting in the air!”
George Manley Hopkins, “The Starlight Night”