DeBruin Jennifer

Article by Francis Racine
The Journal Cornwall
30 April 2014

CORNWALL - Striding through the library's entrance, it is apparent Jennifer DeBruin is a busy but well-organized woman. Holding a sign featuring her smiling face and carrying a heavy bag containing several props, the Cornwall-born storyteller escalated the stairs, towards one of the institution'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.''

Never truly thinking of becoming a published author, the founder and owner of Articulation Marketing and Communications had decided to write down her feelings regarding her grandmother. "A Walk with Mary was never supposed to be published.'' said DeBruin."I wrote it years ago and it sat on my desk, collecting dust. Suddenly I thought I could try to publish it.''

Upon its release, the book created a cult-like following within the St-Lawrence region, and with good reasons. The novel has for theme the Lost Villages, an area of great historical importance in Eastern Ontario. "The book is based on my grandmother 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 literature release, DeBruin then set out to work on her second historical novel, Shadows in the Tree. The much-acclaimed story takes place during the American war of Independence. "I decided to give it that title because, as a lover of genealogy, I have yet to work closely with family trees,'' she explained. "Yet I thought what a shame it was that some stories featuring women are all but missing from history. They aren't usually mentioned in reference books and tend to disappear. Most 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 from men 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 third book, DeBruin's smiles and reveals snow white teeth. "My publisher's been after 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 native also stresses the importance that her publishing house, General Store Publishing House Inc (GSPH), has had in her newfound writing career." Although they are small, it's great, she says. "The publisher is very knowledgeable and since I have such a background in marketing, I tend to promote my own book. I also meet several other authors who were published by GSPH.''

During her conference, DeBruin truly connected 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 German.''

The presentation also talked about the United Empire Loyalists, the group of individuals who first arrived in Cornwall in 1784, following the American War of Independence. "I'm a registered United Empire Loyalist descendant,'' she said while showing the audience a certificate."Four of my ancestors were Loyalist who arrived in Cornwall years ago.''

Although the successful storyteller admits that writing has taken a toll on her family, she also claims that she was born to do this. "I love it,'' she says."When I'm truly concentrated, 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.''