Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m on the road again, in Arlington and Tyler this next week. I feel like I’m hotel hopping across Texas. This time, while I’m not autographing or speaking, I’ll have my imaginary friends traveling with me. Sage’s story is going great. All I need is a few hundred hours to spend with the story.

Of course, I’ll take off on Thursday to have Thanksgiving. This is the first year all my family will not be together but that doesn’t mean I won’t be thinking of them.

On a side note...
Go Tech!!

This is my nephew Brian, his lovely wife Amy and their two precious daughters Kourtney and Macy showing their colors!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Travel and "The Boy King!"

I’ve had a busy week. I was in Dallas last weekend doing stock signings. Meet some great book people. Had a grand tea with readers who really know romance books. I had time to spare Sat. night, so I went to see King Tut. Here’s me with my Mummy.

This weekend I’m going to Lubbock to talk at Texas Tech on Friday and then on Saturday, I plan to have lunch with some beautiful Red Hat Ladies and then we’ll be off to a signing at Barnes and Noble from 5-7.

The next week I’m heading down to Dallas for a signing at in Arlington. Sometimes I think I should have a page on my blog that says, “Where in the world is Jodi?”

In all the free time when I’m not driving, signing, or sleeping, I’m working on Sage’s story and having a grand time.

Have a great week!

TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN is Here!

Tuesday my new book hit the stands. TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN. I’ve been waiting a year for everyone to see it. Kathy Baker at the Legacy Bookstore in Plano called to tell me she loved it and thought it was my best. That meant a great deal to me. Writers, no matter how many books always worry about each book.
Now, the frightening part, stepping out of my office and into the world to autograph. I love it when friends come by to visit with me during an autographing. I also love it when readers stop by to talk about my work.
What frightens me are people who just happen to come by, usually drinking a cup of coffee while their children or spouse shop, and look at my books. They ask questions like, ‘What’s going on here?’ or ‘What’s this book about?’ or ‘How’d you get this published.’ They are not buying, they are just passing time. After I tell them about the book, they put it down and say, ‘Let me tell you a real story…” This is about the time I feel trapped. But, I can’t run. It’s my party.

I had a great weekend at a Writers Retreat in Red River, New Mexico. This is what I saw as I drove home.

The Perfect Day

I had a perfect day of writing this week and one day sometimes is all I can get. It’s amazing how good a writer feels when for a few hours they step out of the real world and into fiction. I got in a bar fight, landing on the coast in 1859 and was bit by a snake—I’m not sure what kind yet, I’m still looking at pictures.

When the writing comes, you forget all about what you have to do or what time dinner is or where your back hurts. Once in a while a writer just writes and on those rare days I know why it is I do this for a living.

Two Weeks and Counting

I had a great time in Richardson at the Buns and Roses Tea. There is truly no better place for a writer to be than with readers. We may be writers, but we’re readers also and just as nuts about finding new books as any reader.

I came home Sunday night and read over the rewrites I was working on. Finished Monday afternoon and put them in the mail. I hope readers like REWRITING MONDAY as much as I do. We’ll see in April 09.

Tall, Dark, and Texan will hit the stands in less then two weeks. I can’t wait. The reviews are starting to come in and I’m very happy. It’s time to start working full time on the next story.

Autumn in New Mexico

I spent the weekend in New Mexico. After spending so many hours in front of a computer it was delightful to relax and look at nature. Good friends, good food and a killer view.

The double rainbow was unbelievable against the stormy sky.

The changing leaves were so grand it looked like some of the trees were brushed with gold dust.

Three more weeks until TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN hits the stands. I can’t wait. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve loved characters so much. Teagen is going to make you laugh and cry and dream.





Love and Laughter,

Music and Books

I just got back from the West Texas Book and Music Festival in Abilene. Great fun!
I enjoyed Don Graham's remarks at the luncheon. If I lived near Austin, I'd take his class at UT on Texas Culture.

Several readers have asked what I listen to when I'm writing. Often nothing.
I enjoy the silence when the story is coming to me. Just like I always face the wall when I'm first creating.
Then, when I'm rewriting and polishing, I turn out the world and listen to music. The music changes by what I'm working on.
Sometimes, a line from a song inspires an entire scene or even book.


Here I am speaking at the festival...

And here I am with friends and fellow authors, Jeffery McClanahan & Pam Cumbie

YoYo-ing Through Rewrites

Last Saturday I visited a delightful group of writers in Tyler. It’s always fun to be around so many creative people. I remember when I had far more questions than answers and believed I’d make a million on my first book. The journey so far has had many highs and a few lows, but all in all I wouldn’t trade for the ride.

I’m finishing up the rewrite of the rewrite on REWRITING MONDAY due out on April 1, 2009. Each polishing makes it better but I think I must have jinxed it for rewriting because of the name. Maybe my next book should be Fast Writing Tuesday.

My editor made me laugh. When she read about a character introducing himself as Bob Earl she asked if Earl was the last name. No southerner would ever ask that.

*****Stars to Natalie Bright for her story on the history of the yoyo in http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org. She’s a great speaker and a gifted writer. Check out her site at http://www.nataliebright.com.

A Veritable Smorgasbord

This week is the Tri-State Fair in the Panhandle of Texas. Just saying the words makes me want a foot long corn dog. I love the fair, not for the rides or the food but for the people. It’s fun to find a corner and watch all the people go by.

I’m in the process of finding characters. It’s not easy. Once in a while a character just walks up to me fully developed. When that happens I feel more like I’m just meeting them, not creating them. Some characters reveal themselves slow like people do in real life. I love it when I start out writing someone I think I’m going to hate or at least not like, then all of a sudden he does something I didn’t expect and I end up caring about him.

O’Henry once said something about if a writer is ever blocked he should change his environment. For me, I’d like to just stay in the same environment to get the story on paper.

Turn, Turn, Turn...

It is currently raining. I love the dark and gloomy days. I can sit down at my desk with no thoughts of having to weed the garden, or carry out the trash. Instead I can throw myself into the world I'm writing about. Days like this were made for writing.
Summer has quickly come to a close.

Just last week I was down in Palo Duro Canyon celebrating Labor Day with my family. It was hot, sticky, sunny, bright and beautiful. The views were (as always) spectacular and the colors were amazing!
It is easy to see why so many artists choose to make it a subject. The New York Times even ran an article on it recently. I highly suggest taking a trip to see Palo Duro Canyon if you ever get a chance. It is one of my favorite places to be.

Today marks the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. My thoughts are with all who were touched by the tragedy. Our world will never be the same...
My heart also goes out to all those who are in Hurricane Ike's path. I hope beyond hope that this current threat will leave little mark on those in his way... my prayers are with you.

Autumn Cometh

With school starting I always think it is fall and this year the weather seems to be falling in with my plan.

I’ve finished the book due out in April and am very happy with the flow of it. Now the hard part is putting together the next idea. I have a plan, it’s coming alive in my head, but making it real on paper in outline form isn’t easy.
People, who don’t write or know a writer, always think writing is easy. It’s hard work, I admit, but now and then when I get it right, it’s great fun.

On Campus

As I finish up the rewrites on REWRITING MONDAY I prepare to open my office at West Texas A&M.

I love being Writer in Residence.
Every fall it's great seeing the freshmen move into the dorms.
My office is on the second floor of the library. I have a floor to ceiling window...
A campus, even a small one, is like a little city...
By September, I'll be writing at my office on Sage's story.

Sad News...

On a sad note, my mother-in-law passed away on 8-8-08. She was a sweet lady who loved her family. She would have gotten a kick out the date of her passing into heaven since she was born on 2-2-22. We’ll all miss her dearly…

Back from RWA!

I just got back form RWA in San Fransicso. I enjoyed being with friends I only see once a year. I saw lots of changes in the Romance field. I guess that’s the good and bad about this business, it’s always changing. Great news for my friends who read and write historical - they are coming back. (Some of us didn’t even know they left!)

I’m working on rewrites of the book due out in April. Looks like it’s going to be called REWRITING MONDAY. I complain about rewrites, but in truth, I enjoy doing them. I feel like the book reads smoother every time.

Less than three months until Teagen comes. Everyone will love TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I'm sorry I haven't blogged lately, but I've spent my days traveling and my nights writing.

We had a great time in Alaska in June. Danali was BREATH TAKING! Alaska is so wild and untamed. I felt right at home... except when I visited the glacier, then I was scared to death!

In Houston I met with the TESA ladies and had a wonderful time. They really were great! I wish I could have stayed longer.

The Queen's Red Hat Cocktail Party was grand! The parade was beautiful and the people were too...

Now I'm back home writing.

I'm also working on the next book to follow Twisted Creek. I think you'll love Rewriting Monday!

Watch my calendar for dates I'm traveling this fall!

TWISTED CREEK Hits New York Times List!

Today I hit the New York Times list. It felt grand. When I first started writing I bought a t-shirt at a writer’s confence that said, “NYTimes Bestseller in Training.” I wore that shirt hundreds of late nights of writing and slept in it so many times it finally wore out. I’ve hit the list before, but every time is like the first time. It’s a twenty year goal come true. I’d like to thank all my fans who gave TWISTED CREEK at try.

I was in Las Vegas this weekend and met some great people. The Henderson Library talk with Robyn Carr was great fun and I loved the Red Hat Lunch Wendy Arnold helped me set up. What a great group of ladies!

Next week I’ll be in Santa Fe.

TWISTED CREEK is Almost Here!

One week to go before Twisted Creek comes out. This book was wonderful and hard for me to write. The characters came to me almost as if they sit down at my desk and helped me write the book. I feel this is a story everyone will enjoy because it’s about life. The good, the hardships and the confusing. My wish is that readers will laugh and cry with my characters until the end, then they’ll buy a copy for a friend.

Check out my schedule, I’ll be traveling in April and would love fans and friends to stop by for a visit.

Jodi

Winter Days

Welcome to winter! I love cold days when I can stay inside and read, but these are few and far between.

I’m excited about a short story collection coming out February 1 that I did with three dear friends. GIVE ME A TEXAN will keep you warm on a cold day.

I’m starting to book autographings for April. Because TWISTED CREEK is such a special book, I’m planning to do lots of small groups like book clubs.