Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Jennifer Major!

Today I have the privilege of welcoming the very funny and very talented Jennifer Major to my blog. I "met" Jennifer here on my blog in 2012. I immediately liked her and looked forward to her witty comments. I was even more impressed when I discovered she wrote historical fiction (which she shares more about below).

We met in person at the 2013 ACFW Conference in Indianapolis, which was a very memorable conference for Jennifer (and all her friends), when she accepted representation from literary agent, Mary Keeley, who happens to be my agent, as well. I also spent time with Jennifer this past October at our agency retreat in Monterey, California, and we had many laughs together.

At the Books & Such Literary Retreat in Monterey, California
What I love about Jennifer is that beneath all the humor, and all the laughter, she has a heart of pure gold--as you'll see below. I'm blessed by her friendship and I can't wait for you to meet her.

Take it away, Jennifer! 


My name is Jennifer Major, I’m Canadian, and I pretend to be a grown-up. Like, every day.

I’m also part of the “We have four kids and…what do you mean you’re hungry, you JUST ate a side of beef! And shut the fridge!” club.

Only, I’m not as calm as Gabrielle, heretofore known as The Gabinator because umm, four kids. Besides, everyone needs an inator, right? Points if you get the reference.

Squirrel!

Okay, now that we’ve established that I should not consume caffeine, I have four kids (12, 17, 21, 24), don’t look a day over 52, I’m Canadian (NO, I do NOT know Anne Shirley…but I have been kicked out of Green Gables) and I think P&F is brilliant…let’s talk writing, and reading.

I love to read deep, soul stirring stories. And I love laugh out loud stories. Yes, sometimes those are in the same book, but not often.

One would not look at me and think “Well, there goes a woman who writes about the most horrible event in the entire history of the Navajo Nation.” Otherwise known as “The Long Walk of the Navajo,” and the subsequent imprisonment of 9500 Navajo and 500 Apaches at a place called Bosque Redondo, in New Mexico. (1863-68)

But, I do. And the only source to whom I can attribute my literary obsession is God. He infused me with a physical need to tell this story as best I can.  He is my fuel. Because it’s not like I write comfy fiction that has an HEA for everyone, therefore not getting a kick to the gut every time I do research. If you want to get good and crushed, read up on something called The Doctrine of Discovery, and Manifest Destiny.

The years at the Bosque (boss-kay) decimated the Navajo. Roughly, 2000 people died in 4 ½ years. They refer to that place as “Hweeldi,” most likely a variant on the Spanish word for “fort,” which is “fuerte.”

Now, Navajo history is told “before Hweeldi” and “after Hweeldi.” 

There are few Navajo who don’t know about Hweeldi, but the ones who do, all know the same thing. Their people were herded there so that they could learn to become good Christians, and adapt properly to live among white settlers.

So, WHY do I write about it? Because if I can tell the story, if I can bring attention to it, and if I can shine the love of God into the darkness, maybe I can go back to those days in the 1800’s and tell those dear people what I want them to know…

What was done in the name of God, was not done with His blessing.

~~~
 
Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
 
 
Jennifer Major is a West Coast Canadian learning to handle life under 6 feet of snow in Eastern Canada. She speaks lousy French, and pretends she can speak passable Spanish. She and her handsome husband (of 26 years) have 2 grown kids, 1 high schooler, and a middle schooler who really needs his own TV show. Or not. She writes historical fiction based on Navajo history.
 
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To celebrate Jennifer's visit, she's giving away Canadian Chocolate to one lucky winner! (I've had this chocolate, and I'm bummed I can't enter this contest!!). Be sure to check out the Rafflecopter below. Thanks, Jennifer!
 
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Your Turn, Reader: Doesn't Jennifer's last statement send chills up your spine? "What was done in the name of God, was not done with His blessing." This statement is true for so many events in history. I love what she's doing with her writing. Do you have any questions or comments for Jennifer? 
 
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We also have a winner of Meek and Mild, by Olivia Newport! Be sure to check out my interview with Olivia here. The winner is: Wendy Newcomb. Congratulations, Wendy! I'll be sure to email you soon.
 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

31 comments:

  1. I enjoyed your post, Jennifer - thank you, and have enjoyed your sense of humor - online - for some time. We have committed an unfair travesty not only with the Navajo, but other tribes as well, and I have sympathized with their plight for years. I look forward to reading your novel and have liked your Facebook page.

    Shared post!!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Bonnie. I love that Jennifer is tackling this topic, and I'm proud of the way she's bringing it to light. I can't wait to read her novel, either!

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    2. Thank you, Bonnie!
      I've been to Hweeldi twice, and the second time was with a Navajo elder, who is the grandson of a prisoner. I tell you, seeing it with him was crushing. Seeing where 10,000 people lived in conditions that had they happened today, would be blasted all over CNN...it made me ill.

      And I'm glad to make you smile.

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    3. Gabe, thank you for having me! I am humbled, truly.

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    4. Thank you for being here, Jennifer. It's my honor to host you today. :)

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  2. History has always intrigued me and the Navajo story was one that just stuck with me. I can't wait to read it with another perspective.

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    1. As a Canadian, I'd never heard of the Long Walk. But when I did, I was overwhelmed!
      I'm glad you're looking forward to reading it.

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    2. I had heard of it, but I know more now that Jennifer has brought it to my attention. I'm with you, Joyce, I can't wait to read Jennifer's story.

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  3. How cool to see you here visiting Gabrielle's blog, Jennifer. Two awesome ladies together. It doesn't get much better than that!

    Your post is great! The part about you and your personal life is a hoot. I'd expect no less. The part about your writing life is both uplifting and unsettling. Your desire to tell the stories about what happened to the Navajo, educating the modern reader about the injustices done to them in the name of God is laudable. The acts themselves, well-intentioned (?) but utterly misguided, are heartbreaking to think about, but we must. Learning from the past can help us make better choices in the present.

    I look forward to the day your books are in readers' hands, entertaining while at the same time educating, and making a difference.

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    1. Hey Keli!!

      Thanks, and I'm honoured you think I'm a hoot.

      And yes, unsettling is right. If you can imagine 10,000 people walking 400 miles, to then be told that they'd matter more if they learned how to be white, and that if they were more white, then the white man's God would care about them? it's no wonder Native Americans struggle bigtime with Christianity.

      You said it! My prayer has always been to make a difference.

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    2. Keli, I couldn't agree with you more. Jennifer handles her family life with humor, and her writing life with reverence. God has placed a calling and a burden on her heart for this subject, and I sense He has plans to bring knowledge, understanding, and hopefully healing to this tragic event. Jennifer, you're already making a difference.

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  4. Loved this post, for so many reasons...making me laugh and touching me deeply among them. Thanks, Jennifer and Gabrielle! You ladies are a blessing. :)

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    1. It's so good to see you here, Kiersti! I always smile when I see your name here, or on Facebook. :) Jennifer is very talented at making us laugh and touching us deeply, isn't she? I love that about her.

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    2. Shikis!!!

      Kiersti writes about Navajo, and Native American history, as well, and won the Genesis in 2013 for the beautiful Under A Turquoise Sky. She was instumental is introducing me to my Navajo contacts. God used Keirsti to encourage and bless me and there is NO WAY I could thank her enough for her willingness to share her friends with me. Ahe'hee'!!!

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  5. Aww...love Jennifer and seeing her on your blog today, Gabrielle! I can't wait until Jennifer's story gets out to the reader world, as it is such an overlooked period of American history. Blessings to the both of you!

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    1. I'm counting down the days, too, Heather. I long to know more about this part of Navajo history, though I'm sure it will be heartbreaking. I'm confident Jennifer will find a way to relay the hard reality with grace. Thank you for stopping in today!

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    2. Heather!! Oh you are SUCH a doll!!
      Just a tip, if you're looking for a great read about Vikings? Heather is your girl!

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  6. I love this. I love you both. You bless me immeasurably.

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    1. Thank you, Shelli! It's good to see you here and read your lovely words. :) The blessing is mutual.

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  7. ❤️ Jennifer and Gabe. THE END.

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    1. We love you, too, Laura! :) Thank you for stopping by to visit today.

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    2. You are awesomsauce with a side of epic, Laura!

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  8. I'm part Cherokee and Choctaw. They walked their own Trail of Tears. One thing that is an extra rub is many Cherokees were Christians and living in the white man's world already when they were forced from their homes, forced to walk the Trail of Tears, and relocated to Oklahoma . . . I look forward to reading your book, my new friend . . . and hey, put me in the drawing for that chocolate!

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    1. Hi Paula!
      You are? Cool!!
      Yes, what was done to the Cherokee was just plain awful. AWFUL.

      Thanks!! I stocked up today...

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    2. Paula, thank you for stopping by. I'm saddened by events that are forced upon people in the name of Christianity. I wonder how people can be so misguided.

      Good luck on the drawing for chocolate! :)

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  9. Why, oh why did it take me so long to show up here today? It's dark outside, and I'm eating a bowl of popcorn as I read through, and I'm blessed by Jennifer Major once again.
    Love your heart for the Lord and your humor, friend.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Jenni, regardless of the hour. :) I'm happy you were blessed by Jennifer. She's one of a kind. :)

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  10. Hey Jenni!!

    Thank you so much, for your kind words.

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  11. Just popping by to say hi, you two! What a joy to read this post from both of you! <3

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Your comments are my favorite part of blogging!