Renná Bruce, her husband, and her son sit on her son’s bed ready to share their favourite parts of the day. This is a special moment in the day for them especially for her son. He’s saved up every good thing that’s happened in anticipation for this time together.

“It’s something that’s made such a difference in his outlook on life,” says Renná. It seemed only natural to share it with others.” And so…Jazlyn J was born.

Renná is the author of the Jazlyn J Alphabet Series for Kids. For every letter of the alphabet, there is a story to be fold, and at the end of every story, there are favourite parts to be shared. The idea was to focus on what went right in the day instead of what didn’t,” she adds. “that way, kids go to bed thinking happy thoughts – or at least encouraging ones.”

Focusing on the positive is not only a reoccurring theme in the books, but it’s also been in her life. In high school, a guest speaker at a Bayside Secondary School assembly made a life-changing impression on the young student.

“His name was Dan Clark,” says Renná. “he’d been a football player and an accident left him paralyzed. I was mesmerized by this man.” She pauses. “He was determined that by whatever means he could, he was going to change his situation. Sure enough, he did,” she recounts. “He stood before us – a true testament to the powers of positive thought and persistence.”

Renná stops to reflect, and then recalls Dan Clark’s last words before he left the stage – “It’s better to reach for the stars and miss then to aim for a pile of manure and hit!” She laughs. “I like to think I live by that concept. I’ll always give it my best effort because of that phrase.”

When Renná was young, she was very active. She loved to play sports, swim, build forts, and sing with her friends in the garage. After her parents gently suggested that singing NOT be a career of choice, she turned to acting and writing.

“Acting was a lot of fun. It allowed me to be somebody else – just for a little bit – and I really got into characters. But writing has always been a love of mine.”

And writing has always been a favourite part of Renná’s life. It seems as though she’s always been determined to make writing her career. In a room in her house hangs a framed essay she had written at age 13. It reads: I absolutely love to write – I have since I was 8 years old. I intend on making writing a rewarding career.

“Psychic? No,” she laughs. “Determined – yes.” Writing has never been far from any of the jobs she’s held in her life. She’s worked as a copywriter for radio – and in promotions and sales for a few stations out west She’s even enjoyed some on-air time. She was also a freelance writer / photographer for a newspaper before moving on to sales coordinator – and then marketing manager. Now she’s an author.

“It’s been magical. Every minute has been more exciting than the last – and it just continues to develop!”

But her words are an understatement. Renná has published nine books in the series so far with talented friend and illustrator, Robin Oakes. There’s a 2004 calendar coming out, and there’s already a colouring book out – Galaxy Cinemas is supporting the character with their birthday party program.

Walter Gretzky wrote the forward to the book, Jazlyn J gets A Goal Where Jazlyn learns about setting goals as well as obtaining goals. “He was just the kindest man. I will always be grateful we met,” Renná say of Walter.

Tom Cochrane also wrote a forward to Jazlyn J’s Ideal Instrument, where Jazlyn and her classmates must pick instruments for their band class. “Again, a very kind and talented spirit. I feel honoured that he was apart of this series,” she recalls.

Renná is also proud of the fact that proceeds from the books sold will go to help the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Parkinson’s Society of Canada.

Recently, Renná has taken a job (again in the writing field) to help market and promote Volumes Publishing Ltd., the publisher of her books. “It was the opportunity of a lifetime. It was my chance to help make other writer’s dreams come true. I now have a very god understanding of the realities of publishing and if I can help other people realize their dreams, then I can’t think of a better career,”

So where does this author find the time to fit in a full-time job, writing career, appearances, author signings, and parenthood? “It’s a lot of work,” Renná admits with a smile. “But it’s defiantly a labour of love.”

Books by Renná Bruce and Robin Oakes: Jazlyn J Learns Her Address; Jazlyn J’s Birthday Celebration; Jazlyn J’s Computer Confussion; Jazlyn J’s Day of Danger; Jalzyn J Expresses Herself; Jazlyn J’s Favourite Parts of the Day; Jazlyn J Gets a Goal; Jazlyn J’s Bad Hair Day and Jazlyn J’s Ideal Instrument.