This is one of those days when I probably shouldn’t be allowed access to my keyboard without having a minder keeping watch over my shoulder. My head is, as Professor Henry Higgins would say, “full of cotton, hay, and rags.”
Usually when I’m in one of these moods, I can at least summon up a bit of umbrage over the state of things grammatical, but today I can’t be bothered with the fact that the words “fast forwarding and other functionalities may not be available.” FUNCTIONALITY? Wouldn’t the word functions actually fit the bill? And then there are the sports announcers who rattle on about the PHYSICALITY of the game. Maybe they think that adding a syllable or two on the end of a word will make them sound more sophisticated. It doesn’t work. If it did, this would be a day when my WRITERALITY had lost its FUNCTIONALITY!
But for today, those English language usage issues are not my issues. My editor looked at the work I did on Dance of the Bones and liked it. That means the manuscript has been sent to production, and the next time I see it will be at the copy editing stage. That also means that if I’m done with the creative part of that book, I need to move on to STARTING the next one. Maybe that’s why my writerality is currently AWOL. Starting a book is a daunting task. Even if I know the title. Even if I know the first sentence. It’s still more than I can do today.
So here’s what I’m going to do. It’s what I’ve done for every vacation in my life from Second Grade on. I’m going to read a book. Or maybe two. Or even several. I’m going to read something where the plotting and dialogue are someone else’s problem. And if there happens to be a typo, I will not sit down and send out a letter berating the author’s general incompetence. I will simply say to myself, “Well, obviously the editors missed that one,” and keep on reading.
And if I happen to be disappointed in a book—as I was earlier this week—I will not whip off a note of complaint to that author, demanding to know, “What’s the matter with you? Couldn’t you write a better book than that?” You see, I happen to know, from the inside out, that what’s going on on the outside of an author’s body or in an author’s life impacts what goes into his or her creative process. I also know that every author, including this one, does the best job he or she can on every book. Each of them does the best job possible in terms of writing and in terms of editing. I will simply take a page out of Thumper’s father’s play book and resort to the following: If you can’t say somethin’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all!
By the way, it always tickles me that the people who are most arch in their criticisms of my work often do so in e-mails that are rife with errors of their own making. It might be fun to point those errors out to them, but usually I don’t bother. I know how it feels when someone tells me I’m stupid. There’s no point in dishing out the same kind of treatment to someone else.
Now back to my book. My WRITERALITY may be broken, but I hope my READERALITY is not.
I know what you mean about words. One that drives me crazy is guesstimate. Since a guess is an estimate, isn’t it a redundant word? I really don’t like when some of my favorite authors use it.
First off – Love, love, love the My Fair Lady reference.
Second, I can’t imagine how you do what you, ever day. I have in my short life, tried to write one single book. The entire process has left me in a tangled up ball of emotions (think of what it looks like when a cat has gotten a hold of a ball of yarn). The fact that you are able to write multiple books is a testament to your ingenuity, strength in both mind and character, your creativity and energy. That you are able to write these books well, and craft amazing stories, well I just cannot put that into words.
Thank you for all of the books that you have given us and for continuing to craft additional beauties. We love you!
I loved your Blog today. I’ll never understand people. They can be so cruel without even trying. Everybody’s tastes are different and people should learn to respect that. If you don’t like a book put it down and move on to the next but don’t berate the Author.
I guess that’s why I prefer dogs to people. They are never cruel.
Thanks for the smile this morning! I know your Writerality will be back soon and I for one can’t wait for your newest book to come out!
Hang in there and take a much deserved break!!
Love all your books!!
I always look forward to your books. Your most recent was especially fascinating: We have driven past Arizona City a few times and could certainly picture it. Am also glad when you include a dog or more in the book, since I love dogs.
Your books have given me many hours of reading pleasure.
Dear Judy, I suspect that you’re still a bit tired from the last tour. Maybe the physical tiredness has passed, but the challenge of being “on your A game” for so many days in a row can drag you down. Those of us who live in our heads, whether or not we produce something salable, need our “hunkerin’,” hermit time. Another author I admire balances her mental exercise with gardening and crafts. She lives in Michigan and is rejoicing in spring just now, after such a severe and prolonged winter.
So: Add a little “physicality” to your creative recess. But no pratfalls, please. <3
I never really took advantage of my education. I was alway to bord busy and lazy. It’s hard to say I really didn’t care . That’s not to I’m stupid no just lazy. I always wanted to play the piano … not learn to play but TO PLAY. I never like to write letters because I was taught Sight reading not phonics, I truly admire a well written book with the correct punctuation and a good story line. I don’t have the right to be critical about an authors punctuation. I do have the right to say if I liked the storyline and if the book was well writen. ALL of yours are and I truly enjoy them. So while you take a little break and read a book .. take the day and lunch with your kids and Grands.. you deserve it.
Excellent! You definitely deserve a break, as we all do, to recoup and energize, set the mind and body to other tasks for a time. Though I eagerly await each new story, I know you need down time to get the creativity flowing. Take all the time you need, smell the roses, enjoy the garden, play with Bella, take a walk with Bill, read some books, visit with the grandkids. It’s all good.
Ms Jance,
I love your books,I just finished cold betrayal and am chomping at the bit for the next one to hit the shelf.
We all need a break, so read a few books, I can’t imagine how you to what you do, every day. Take a break….ill still be waiting for your next book.
Judy:
You should take a page from the book of another author, John Scalzi, who wrote a book titled “Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded”. It’s a very entertaining book, and most of the correspondents don’t get A’s (or even C’s).
I have been enjoying your writing, sense of humor, characters, etc. for many years. First love was the Joanna Brady series. I tried to read them “in order”, but have found that it just doesn’t matter! You put enough of the “back story” into each book so we know who the character is and where she came from. The rest is just magic. Then…I found JP Beaumont. Thought, he’s OK but Joanna is still my favorite. Then came Ali Reynolds…..new twists, characters and scenery along the way. Guess what I really want to say is you never disappoint me. Every story is well crafted, interesting, factual, and always manage to make me laugh along the way. I have at least 5 of your books on my side table waiting for me right now. Just finished an “oldie” I found, Minor in Possession. Loved it even though I have traveled many a mile with JP since this book came out.
Great job. Just keeping track of the characters, locations, etc. is mind-boggling to me.
Waiting in anticipation for all your wonderful ideas for character development and plot to come together…patiently waiting my next great read by my favorite author..you! Thank you for your dedication.
Yes, the invention of non-existent words concerns me, as well. Of course, I also believe I am just as entitled to create words as Ogden Nash and others. One of mine is “awfulizing,” referring to my own tendency to anticipate negative outcomes. For years I have been concerned about the many misspellings in advertisements and business names. How can we expect folks to learn how to spell when we are constantly bombarded with “Qwik Marts,” etc.? Thanks so much for continuing to provide us with wonderful stories. I also agree with a previous post, although I do enjoy people. Sometimes dogs (and cats) are just more pleasant.
i love everything you write! This blog post is so funny, and you quoted my favorite movie line ever! Thanks for writing even when you don’t feel like it…
My favorite annoying phrase is “free gift”. Isn’t a gift free? I see it all of the time, but have learned to ignore it. Life is too short to worry about things like this.
I’d like to know what books you read while you were taking some time off. I find when I am feeling like that I have to pick up a fun book that has a lot of pictures.