that I have a ‘site stats’ thing which used to be a ‘blog stats’ thing and it tells you how many times your webpage has been looked out. And at the very bottom, it tells you who looked (sometimes) and what they looked up to find you.
Do you know what a treat it is to know that I’m being googled? And it’s not because I did something wrong or something terribly ‘hollywood horrible’ but just because I wrote a book. That feels nice to be googled. Because then it means someone actually took the time to look me (or the book) up. Even if they hate it. They put effort into it. And it’s the effort I like. Regardless of the outcome.
So thanks for making my day.
And incidentally? You won’t get to read the webpage version of Kirkus Book Review because you have to ‘become a member’ at 450$ a year.
Yah. I’ll be buying that soon. 
Eating: Shamefully? shawarma with fries and gravy. I ate 1/3 and now I feel sick. Even after eating healthy all day.
Reading: About to start ‘The Hunger Games’. Read a chapter on my Kindle. It’s gonna be good!
Watching: Nothing. Boys are camping so I’m all alone. Bedtime early tonight!
Listening to: Nothing. Read above. Miss them terribly though.
Posted on 18 August '10 by Jenn Kelly, under observations. No Comments.
See, the sun always shines regardless of the rain.
Not that I was sad.
But I did get an encouraging letter about my book.
So here it is:
I am having so much fun reading Jackson Jones. I am a homeschool mama to 6 little ones–(almost) 10 to 7 months. I received my copy to review and I am so glad I chose it. I don’t normally go for things that are ‘just silly’. Your book is very much not one of those kinds of books! I am picking it up and reading even when I am not reading to the children–it is that good! I had to let you know how much I/we are enjoying reading about Jackson. I also love that you drink chai lattes, too (my favorite 
). Are your upcoming books about Jackson, too? Cannot wait to read more.
Blessings!
Now how cool is that?
Posted on 16 August '10 by Jenn Kelly, under observations. No Comments.
I just finished reading your book minutes before I had to leave for work. I started reading it yesterday evening and only put it down to sleep.
Oh, Jenn, what can I say?? To say that it is brilliant and awesome seems woefully inadequate. Thank you for writing this book. It has such a life-giving story and I even cried at the end! I want to find MY story. I think I have found parts of it but have also spent too much time in the river picking up stones with lies on them.
All I can say is you ROCK! And thank you for sharing the gift God has given you. It will change lives, of that I am certain!
Posted on 10 August '10 by Jenn Kelly, under observations. No Comments.
From an old teacher friend. Although he was never my actual teacher, he taught me a lot.
“Jen–What can I say?–I’m not a reader at all–but read this twice in a row–now you have to understand that I’m not an editor or a critic–I’m terrible in grammar etc…BUT I do think that I have a better than average imagination and creative mind–mainly related to songwriting BUT I have written some screenplays, so I feel qualified to pass some judgement—even after the second reading Im trying to find ways that i can describe to someone who asks me, what it was like—OH—finding words to describe the crazy journey Jackson is on isnt all that hard BUT trying to convey a sense of how you tell the story is another thing–I tried to tell my wife and I said–I had the feeling that Jen was sitting on my shoulder, at times it was her voice I heard as she explained things or made aside comments–even without the illustrations I pretty well could see everything perfectly–the uniqueness of the bracketed definitions–priceless—I have to tell you I almost peed my pants with the Thompsons Full Mouth Translation Book–brilliant!—the naming of the chapters is genius–the short little chapters had me in tears–ironically enough the bathroom break came right on cue!!!–brilliant again—the talking directly to the kids who might be reading this–friggin creative–
Anyways–as you can guess I loved it–and even though it has been a million years since I saw you or read your stuff–I was not one bit surprised at how you crafted this book–it is so weird–if someone had just given me this book and told me that a former student had written it–I would have guessed YOU 100%–and I have seen some great stuff from former students of mine–(Caroline Pignat–won awards for her books and I have stuff from a couple other former students that I have used in my songs–Jen Dugay and Val Lacelles–but noone comes close to your —Im going to say it–twisted little mind (and I mean that in a nice way)—BUT I WON’T GET INTO THAT NOW!
It is my “Favoritest” book—I hope you are holding on to your stones so that when you hit creative blanks etc..you can remind yourself to believe in the truth that you are a great gifted writer who belongs in the top of the class—so I look forward to the next 3 books–LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!
I’ve got to go now I think i hear a few CRUBBIES scurrying around in my back yard harasing some night owls–damn gum!.”
Jerk made me cry… wait, I shouldn’t call him a jerk. Because he’s not. And as soon as I get my hands on his songs, I’ll post them…
Posted on 24 July '10 by Jenn Kelly, under observations. No Comments.
“I wanted to let you know that I finished your book tonight. I actually had some free time & decided to sit out back and read the last 20 chapters.
I was excited to read it because I know you & that you wrote the book. I also knew it was a children’s book.
I have to tell you how “wow’d” I was reading the book as I read each chapter. It reminded me a little of the Lemony Snicket books which I actually ordered the whole series from my son’s school & loved! But as I read through I could see you saying things like this or that or see you doing something similar. I found myself enjoying a children’s book at the age of 41 – giggling as I read thru. You have answered the old question of “who thinks of these things?” Answer: Jenn Kelly does!!
I couldn’t wait to get to the next chaper whether it had 3 words or 100!! LOL I HAD to finish it tonight. What joy to giggle again and at the same time self-reflect on my journey – my story. Thank you for that. ”
