This morning I am 16,000 words to the good in writing (or as some people might say, “churning out”) my 16th Joanna Brady book. Did I happen to mention that remarks about my “really churning them out” is on a par with being told I’m “prolific” in terms of being terminally annoying? When people say that, are they thinking of me hunched over a chair with a butter churn between my knees or do they see me like a shark, speeding through the water after some poor hapless prey? Either way, the word churn just doesn’t work for me. If you meet me in person, please don’t say this!! It’ll be better for both of us.
For all you readers who are completely besotted with Joanna, here’s some helpful information. The book does not have a title although it does have a dedication. It’s due out sometime in the late summer of 2014. That’s all I know so far except for the fact that the person who is dead is someone you all know. Enough said about that.
This morning I opened my e-mail to find any number of folks asking to be added to my newsletter list. It’s really a new book notification list. I am always happy to add names, but if you want to be added, please include both your first and last name as well as your city and state. If you are a member of LinkedIn and want me to join as well, it isn’t going to happen. Once someone signs up, they send notices to everybody in that person’s list, and I do NOT want that to happen to my list. The names on that list are my fans’ names, and they are not to be shared with ANYONE!!!
In addition to the requests for the newsletter there were several e-mails from a woman who just discovered a cache of early Beaumonts that she had never read before. She wrote to ask me several questions about Beaumont # 8, Minor in Possession which, it happens, was written 40!!!! books before the one I’m currently working on. As a result, I had no idea how to answer some of her questions. The details of MIP are lost in the fog of my over-used little gray cells. In some instances she was making comments about usage–the erroneous use of dissected when I should have used bisected–or simply grammar–a place where I used the pronoun “them” when I should have used “us.”
Here’s a little known fact about the first nine Beaumonts, the first Brady, and the first Ali Reynolds. They were original paperbacks or, as one snooty editor from New York told me once, “Original paperbacks are where anyone who wants to get published can get published.” She’s probably saying the same thing now about people who are “self published.” Luckily for all of us, the late and much-lamented Vince Flynn failed to get THAT message!! But if you find errors in those early books, trust me, they’re mine. I made them and no one caught them or corrected them.
The thing to remember about original paperbacks, and the reason they were looked down on so, was that they received only the barest bones of editing. There wasn’t nearly the same level of scrutiny on those early books as on the later ones–books that were first published in hardback and then, a year or so later, in paper.
At the end of our exchanges of e-mail this morning, the reader said something to the effect that my books now are a lot smoother and sophisticated. That’s what sent me down the trail of thinking about the forty books between Minor in Possession and Joanna Brady # 16. Each book takes at least 100,000 words to write. More if you consider how many words get thrown away in the process. Yesterday I tossed 1,000 that simply didn’t measure up into my MacBook Air’s handy-dandy trash bin.
One hundred thousand times forty equals four million, give or take, written by me personally since Beaumont #8. That total doesn’t take into consideration the words written while answering e-mail and writing blog posts or Christmas card letters. I’m sure the total word count from my very own fingers is well over five million. (I could probably get away with being a criminal, because I’m pretty sure my fingerprints got worn away to nothing years ago.)
Growing up in Bisbee, my first piano teacher was Mrs. Clark. If I had practiced four million notes between the time I did my first C-scale on the piano in her living room and now, I would probably be a pretty capable piano player. (I am not.)
But I have practiced writing. For years and years. For decades. Forty-eight books’ worth. Forty-nine counting After the Fire. So I guess it’s understandable that I might be getting better.
After all, isn’t that what our teachers told us back then? Practice makes perfect!
I don’t worry about grammar. Misspells are something else. But I have never seen one in all the 40 books I have read.
I do worry when you say someone we know is dead. As long as it isn’t JP I’m good. Can’t wait for the new one next year.
A faithful Reader
Maryann
Dear Kathy,
Thanks for the encouraging words.
JAJ
I am thrilled that a new Joanna Brady book is coming out.i live the books and seriously don’t care if a comma etc pops up where it maybe shouldn’t be.we are not grammar teachers we are avid dans so keep writing .thank you for all of your wonderful stories
Dear Kathy,
Thanks for the encouraging words.
JAJ
Just remember that Storms “churn”, too! No butter! 😀
Okay then. Definitely NOT butter!!!
JAJ
Reading your books is supposed to be an escape not a English Lesson. I love your books errors and all. The story is the big picture. It transcends your readers to another time and place.
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words.
JAJ
Count me among those who sincerely appreciate your hard work and talent, of which I am completely in awe! The loveliest of individuals can be the Moby Dick of pickiness, and in their preciseness can be admired. But what they fail to understand is that your writing is not an exercise in grammer and sytax, rather it is an artform and impefection is what gives the individuality and brilliance to the work. Not to mention an offering to the god Hubris! Those criticisms should be forwarded to the proper editors and just maybe those editors recognized the art and thus left alone the correctness. Can’t win ’em all Ms. Jance!
Dear Dotty,
Thank you. When I was on the reservation, the basket weavers and the bead-smiths taught me that it is important to leave some bit of imperfection in each work of art because only the Great Spirit is perfect.
But thank you for referring to my work as “art.” Gave me a boost this morning.
Regards,
JAJance
Grew up in Bisbee, too, so LOVE the Joanna Brady series!!
I have read all of your books, paperback and hardcover. I am a picky reader and I certainly would have noticed and remembered any grammar and/or punctuation errors in your work.
I haven’t noticed or remembered any !
I don’t claim that there were none, only that the stories were so involving that I didn’t notice any.
Lynn
I don’t look for errors, and spell check has mostly done away with those. Errors in grammar can be jarring, but I think your writing is impeccable! Even from the first books, errors are practically non-existent. I have read 22 of your earlier books since February, most of which I searched out on used book sites. I completed the Walker series first, and I’m now reading my way through the Beaumont and Brady series in order. I own every novel you have published so far, and they provide many hours of enjoyment for me and my husband. I am always excited to start a new book, but I also don’t want to run through them too quickly! Thank goodness, there ale always new releases to look forward to! (I won’t say prolific, but you are extremely talented.) As a life-long Washingtonian, and sometime Arizona Snowbird, I have visited nearly every locale you have written of, and I love being able to picture them when I’m reading. By the way, I’m looking forward to meeting you on your next visit the the Peninsula!
I enjoy all your characters, even their personal flaws…(aren’t we all flawed?)…and I especially enjoy the feeling of discovery as I read along. I love to figure out the angles as I read and the “why’s “. Sometimes I’m shocked or appalled at the things that happen, but I’m never bored. That’s what a good book is all about. I cherish the book you signed for me in Lincoln City last year, and wish you many more years of good writing and good health.
I am just SO HAPPY a new book is coming out. I have missed Beaumont, Ali, Joanna & The Walkers. Yes, I have read every one!!! I think your books are so cool because (living in the southwest) I know where almost all of the places you write about!!!
LOVE your work. Keep up the wonderful work!!!!!
I think you are the best author ever!!! So far, I have read over 35 of your books, mostly at lunch while I’m working, and look forward to catching up on all your writing! Never quit because I think you’re #1!!!
Dear Cindy,
Thank you for the kind words. No retirement plans as of yet.
JAJ
I’ve read all of Beaumont, all of Brady and all of Reynolds … and looking forward to those to come. I discovered you by getting Beaumont #1 as a free Friday on my Nook. From that I got hooked. And by the way, I enjoyed the Novela. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading.
I started listening to J P Beaumont about the time you wrote #8
Minor in Possession. I still listen to all your books. I even got two of my brothers to listen also. (they were both long distant truck drivers.) I love your books. Keep up the great work.
Oh, GOOD LORD! She actually questioned you about small errors in the book and word usage? That woman needs to get a life!
As for your novels, at least I’ve never felt cheated by the number of words you’ve used. I’ve read novels that were more like “novellas” as far as length. I wrote a “short story” a year or so ago. So, better you than me when it comes to writing. It was tedious beyond words and not very good.
Grammar is not the most important part of a book. Being immediately drawn into the story so thoroughly that the pictures ‘move’ across the pages, instead of forming words, is much more important to me. You totally transport me into each area you write about.
Besides, if somebody wants to complain, didn’t they used to show ‘bloopers’ from movies? Isn’t that tantamount to the same thing as grammar problems, only on a much larger scale? That individual’s pointing out problems is definitely miniscule when you look at the grand scale of your fans. Looking forward to reading your new works.