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the Tree . The much-acclaimed story takes place during the American war of Inde- pendence. “I decided to give it that title because, as a lover of genealogy, I have to work closely with family trees,” she ex- plained. “Yet I thought what a shame it was t h a t some stories featuring
third book, DeBruin’s smiles and reveals snow white teeth. “My publisher’s been af- ter me to finish it, but I’m not quite done yet,” she said. “All I can say is that it’s going to be about the French and Indian wars. It seems that every of my novel travels back further and further in time. I already have an idea for my fourth one but I don’t want to say anything just yet.” The Cornwall na- tive also stresses the importance
nected with the audience, utilizing her own genealogy in order to fully explain Shadows in the Tree . ”My family tree is very vast,” she said while laughing. “I have French, English of course but also German.” The presentation also talked about the United Empire Loyalists, the group of in- dividuals who first arrived in Cornwall in 1784, following the American War of Inde- pendence. “I’m a registered United Empire Loyalist descendant,” she said while show- ing the audience a certificate. “Four of my ancestors were Loyalist who arrived in Cornwall years ago.” Although the successful storyteller ad- mits that writing has taken a toll on her fam- ily, she also claims that she was born to do this. “I love it,” she says. “When I’m truly con- centrated, I can write around 2500 words a day, easily. It’s just a matter of staying in that state of mind.”When asked if being in Corn- wall would help her writing, DeBruin smiles. “Only six more years until the kids graduate from school,” she explained. “Then, we can come back to Cornwall.”
FRANCIS RACINE francis.racine@eap.on.ca
CORNWALL | Striding through the library’s entrance, it is apparent Jennifer DeBruin is a busy but well-organized woman. Hold- ing a sign featuring her smiling face and carrying a heavy bag containing several props, the Cornwall-born storyteller esca- lated the stairs, towards one of the institu- tion’s many conference rooms. “I consider myself more of a storyteller than a writer,” she explained. “I always loved telling stories, even as I was younger, I’d tell them to other people, including my mother.”
women are all but missing from his-
I always loved telling stories, even as I was younger, I’d tell them to other people, including my mother Jennifer DeBruin
that her publish- ing house, General Store Publishing House Inc (GSPH), has had in her newfound writing
career. “Although they are pretty small, it’s great, she says. “The publisher is very knowledgeable and since I have such a background inmarketing, I tend to promote my own book. I also meet several other au- thors who were published by GSPH.” During her conference, DeBruin truly con-
Never truly thinking of becoming a published author, the founder and owner of Articulation Mar- keting and Communications had decided to write down her feelings regarding her grand- mother. “ A Walk with Mary was never supposed to be pub- lished,” said DeBruin. “I wrote it years ago and it sat on my
tory. They aren’t usually mentioned in refer- ence books and tend to disap- pear. Most
desk, collecting dust. Sud- denly I thought I could try to publish it.”
Photo Francis Racine
Upon its release, the book cre- ated a cult-like following within the St-Lawrence region, and with good reasons. The novel has for theme the Lost Villages, an area of
Jennifer DeBruin presented her lat- est novel at the Cornwall library on April 27. The lecture was attended by several local history lovers.
are labeled as wife of or mother of. I’m not a feminist, but I’m happy that I showcase their stories.” The storyteller also highlights that she has received far more responses frommen than women regarding her latest publication, all of them positive. “They all are surprised by what they read,” she said. Asked if she is currently working on a
great historical importance in Eastern On- tario. “The book is based on my grandmoth- er and her involvement in the Lost Villages,” stressed the entrepreneur. “Later in her life, she developed Alzheimer’s. Thankfully, she always left me notes.” Following the success of her initial litera- ture release, DeBruin then set out to work on her second historical novel, Shadows in
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Submitted photo
The River Institute of Environmental Sciences celebrated a $78,600 grant from the Trillium Foundation on April 22. The grant will be used for programs that focus on Biodiversity. Seen here is Trillium volunteer Paulette Hebert and representatives from program partners OPG, Raisin Region Conservation Authority Brendan Jacobs with MPP JimMcDonell and River Institute Executive Director Jeff Ridal.
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