It is late Thursday afternoon—very late for me to be blogging. I usually do that on Wednesday mornings, but being on tour is playing havoc with my usual schedule and also my usual steps.
There were two events yesterday and two events today all of which have involved driving up and down I-5 in and around Seattle. I have it on good authority that the Washington Department of Transportation has declared that there are NO traffic problems in Seattle. I beg to differ. I can’t imagine how people who have to commute through those tie-up messes on a daily basis can keep from losing their minds.
We’ve gotten everywhere we needed to be on time, but it’s been challenging, and sometimes our arrivals have been way closer to the event start times than they should have been.
While we’ve been parked in traffic, I’ve been in the passenger seat with the computer open on my lap, working on the corrections for Downfall—the Joanna Brady due out in September. I doubt I’ll finish the last of the corrections today, but I’m very close. If I can have the manuscript in New York by Monday morning we’ll ALL be happy campers.
Followers of this blog, know that I do two book tours a year—spring and late summer—and people often wonder what I get out of it. Having the opportunity to interact with my readers is a big draw for me. I like making people laugh, and it’s rewarding to have members of the audience come up to me after a program and say, “I had no idea you’d be so funny.” I have my parents to thank for my “funny bone.” There was always joking and laughter in our family growing up, and I’ve carried that laughter with me all my life.
But there are also moments on the road that simply take my breath away. Today included one of those moments.
This afternoon, in Lacey, Washington, a man about my age stepped up to the table. He had no book in hand to be signed when he stopped in front of me, but this is what he said, “I came here to thank you for writing Second Watch. You got it right. I cried all the way through it.” Then, after giving me a military salute, he shook my hand and walked away.
I can tell you that he left my mascara in a complete mess, but you know what? It just doesn’t get any better than that.
Wasn’t that wonderful? Knowing that your writing affects even one person must make you very happy that you have this talent. And isn’t it wonderful when someone thanks you like this man did.
Happy Easter to you and your family.
My husband was in the Marines during Vietnam Name although stateside. I thought Second Watch was one of your best. I cried too and let me tell how difficult it is when you wear glasses and cry while reading.
Finished Clawback last evening. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For another fine adventure with characters I would call friends if they were in my neighborhood.
As wonderful as all your books are, I have to agree that ‘Second Watch” is my all time favorite. Thanks for coming down to Puyallup! I could listen to your stories for hours!!
To have that impact on another human being ? Priceless.
I stalked Judy Busk and Joanna Brady in Bisbee yesterday. Great tour! Gary with Lavender. He took us by the house where your friend of Second Watch lived and a lot of other places too. Fun two hour tour! Thanks for writing about a place so vividly that I had to go there and yet felt like I’d already been. Now to reread some Joanna!
I started reading “Clawback” yesterday and will finish it this morning. I was the second person to get it from my library so I was very careful not to get chocolate on the pages as I read. Had a hollow Russell Stover’s chocolate Easter bunny.
I’m really enjoying this book. It’s amazing what computers can do. I’m learning a lot.
Wonderful book! As always, keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. I think I have read all of J.A. Jance’s books. She can’t write them fast enough for me.
Thanks again for a wonderful evening at the Glendale AZ library (3/9)–always great to hear and see you and the added treat was a little visit with Bill! A week later we were in the Avondale Costco and they had a double row of Clawback along two sides of the book display–that’s a lot of real estate for Costco. And then yesterday at the pool in PebbleCreek I spotted three J.A.Jance paperbacks being read.
Best of luck for safe, uneventful traveling for the rest of the tour, Annie Shiffer
I liked your blog, especially about the.military salute.
Hi Judith,
My name is Laura Rollins, My husband and I were at your signing at the Olympia Timberland Library. We were at the Olympia signing last year also, but this year was better because we could actually see you as apposed to sitting in a large auditorium where you looked like a small blip to my old eyes. You looked so beautiful and slim you are an inspiration of weight loss success.
I wanted to tell you a quick story, but when I glanced around to the line in back of me I knew people would probably get inpatient with me for taking so long. So I decided I better just send you a note.
Last year at the signing for Cold Betrayal we came is about 5 minutes late. After we were seated I told my husband I wanted to go down and get a book so I would have it ready, So I missed a small part of your talk. So when I got back to my seat I heard you say that the book you were here to talk about was Colby Trail. I looked at the inside Jacket of the book and it sounded like the same book I had in my hands. I wondered why you were talking bout a different book then the one I was holding It took almost a full minute for it sink into my head Colby Trail….Cold Betrayal. So you see Judith I think there might be Camels in Virginia, at least the way I hear it. Take care
Laura Rollins
Just finished clawback-fantastic as always! You are amazing and the thank you for the hours of reading enjoyment! Ali might be my favorite-love her parents!!