Postpartum Depression

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That’s where I am right now, in that odd place where I’ve finally delivered a manuscript that took fifteen months to create, and I’m waiting to hear back from my editor.

Years ago, while reading Agatha Christie’s autobiography, I learned that’s the time when she was usually convinced that she would never write another book. Turns out, that’s where I was, too, until a couple of days ago. Of course, having already sold the next Joanna Brady book, not writing it isn’t an option.

During the winter in Seattle, I write in the family room. During the spring and summer and often well into fall (with the help of overhead heating) I can sit out on the back porch.

So this week, while I was thinking and NOT writing … (Yes, Mr. Short-Tail is alive and well. He’s on the bird feeder right now, and although he can fly much better now, he still generally stays put when I’m walking by. But I digress!)

I was sitting here thinking when a totally suitable bad guy for the next Joanna Brady book popped into my head. And now, hang onto your hats, because here comes another digression.

In 1982, when I sat down to write my first novel, it was a thinly fictionalized version of a true crime story about my first husband’s and my encounter with a serial killer in Tucson in 1970. I thought up a great title By Reason of Insanity—but the book was never published, and for good reason. It was far too long, for one thing—1300 pages—and even pared down to 650, it still didn’t sell.

I have no doubt that part of the reason it didn’t sell had to do with it being my first ever attempt. I’m sure it wasn’t nearly ready for prime time, so I put that one in the bottom of a drawer and left it there.

More than twenty years later, at an event in Pinetop, Arizona, I met the daughter of one of that real serial killer’s victims. And although her father’s murderer was then and still is incarcerated in the Arizona penal system, that woman—a second generation victim—is still suffering. What I felt in that moment was incredible gratitude that that original book had never been published, because the families and friends of homicide victims never get over the senseless loss of their loved one.

Now jump forward another twenty-plus years. I was sitting here minding my own business thinking about the bad guy I’d just encountered in my head, when I remembered that long ago and long abandoned title—By Reason of Insanity.

Turns out it’s a perfect fit. So all you Joanna Brady fans out there, Joanna # 20 is coming. The baby has a name—By Reason of Insanity.

I’m currently 3000 words to the good. Only 93,000 to go, but who’s counting? And my period of postpartum depression is now officially over.

42 thoughts on “Postpartum Depression”

  1. Well, that’s a relief (that your “post-partum depression” is over)! Not just because it means that we, the readers, get to look forward to another JAJ book, but because of what it means for your own well-being–depression for whatever reason is no fun! You have so many people who love and respect you, and we want you well and UNdepressed!

  3. I can’t wait! Jacqueline Winspears just wrote her last Maizie Dobbs book, so this is the best tonic for that. It’s been a long time since I visited with Joanna!

    • Dawn,

      I’ve read most of the Maisie Dobbs books and am sorry to learn that the series is ended. It is a good bit of history in addition to the story of a young woman in England.

  5. I have just started the Brady series after finishing the J. P. Beaumont series. I think I may have experienced a bit of what you described after the last Beau book. Now that I’m on #2 in the Brady series, I think I’m “over it” as well. Now I’m looking forward to the new Beau book, I can also look towards the new Brady one as well. Oh boy! My daily reading has increased too, close to three hours each night. All your fault. Just kidding. Thank you for entertaining my brain!

  7. Glad the depression is over, but I am confused. You said that By Reason of Insanity would be #20. According to my Joanna Brady list [I have a very LARGE spread sheet of books that I have read or want to read] and I show Missing And Endangered as Joanna Brady #22. My books are list in order, as that is the way I insist on reading them. Whatever # it is, on my list it is #23. Btw, I show Den of Iniquity [Beaumont] as #26.

    • Your list is counting the Novellas as Novels. Novellas are 20,000 words. Novels are about 100,000.

  8. I have been reading Ngaio Marsh while waiting for the next Beau. Her books feature Chief Detective-Inspector Roderick Alleyn from Scotland Yard. He goes from London to wherever the crime has been committed.

    It’s tough to decide if his criminals are insane. English characters are often eccentric which is looked at as normal.

    It would be tough to be a lawyer over there. Correct term is barrister if the case is brought to trial.

    • ? Good for you!
      We always need to tell the story.
      Difficult for the survivors, yes. However these sick souls should be exposed! Why should they be unitentially protected!!

    • Thanks for the clarification. I try to real them all, in the order written.

  11. YAY was my initial thought after reading this week’s post. I love Joanna and it’s only fitting you use the discarded title. I, for one, would gladly read 1600 pages you wrote.
    Can’t wait to read the newest book and thanks for giving me something to be excited about!
    Cheers,
    Jackie

  12. Good for you, Judy – both for the incarnation of the old title and for being aware of the pain that might have been inflicted if your original novel had been published.
    You are truly a good caring person and an awesome writer!

  13. If I remember correctly that Arizona killer killed only on a certain day of a month. I think it was the 22nd. You folks were lucky that that wasn’t the date when he showed up at your place.

  14. This is wonderful news for me because I am always excited to know there is another Joanna Brady book coming! Thank you!

  15. I was about to say… Can’t wait for a new Joanna Brady novel to come out, but at my age that might be a bit too prophetic. Still, a positive attitude is a must and I’m excited to learn one is in the works. Hopefully, Jenny will be in the mix quite a lot, and we’ll get to know another fascinating librarian. I do enjoy your loyalty to librarians, Judith.

  16. And now I have a name for the overwhelming feelings each time I finish a big jewelry project, postpartum depression. It takes me a while to move on to create the next piece , wondering where the creative juices have gone.
    So looking forward to reading the next, and the next .. think I’ll go back to beginning with JP and re-read while I doodle some new designs.
    I was in the Tucson area last month at my Daughter’s new place and so much seemed familiar from reading your books and blogs.

  17. Trial lawyers say that the time waiting for the jury to reach a verdict is torture-
    Your post-partum depression sounds similar- Suspense is great in fiction, and
    the way your novels make use of it is brilliant- However, in real life it is not all that pleasant! Having given your all to the creative process, for 15 long months, you are suddenly in limbo, wondering and worrying- Thank the Lord that is over for you now-
    I am SO glad to know that Mr. Short Tail is alive and well! I had worried that the hawk got him- He seems completely at home in your garden, and I think he sees you as family- After all, you saved his life- I’m sure he knows that-
    So your home is his chosen home- A wise decision on Mr. Short Tail’s part-
    A LOVELY and heart-warming situation-

  18. Excellent news – I am happily looking forward to another Joanne installment!

    Ceci

  19. I think your tale of the story’s birth and naming is as good as the forthcoming book will be. I look forward to it!

  21. I can’t wait for JoAnna Brady! She’s the reason I got hooked on JA Jance! Bring it on! Happy writing!

  23. So happy to see Beau’s and Brady’s return. Is anything for Ali in the works??

    I’ve recently read all the books in these 3 series….and love them. (The Walker Family…not so much.)

  24. So happy to see Beau’s and Brady’s return. Is anything for Ali in the works??

    I’ve recently read all the books in these 3 series….and love them. (The Walker Family…not so much.)

    • The next Ali book, Overkill, is currently in the hands of my editor, and I’m waiting to hear what she thinks.

  25. I just love reading your thoughts. Very refreshing. It’s a day in the life of a very successful woman who remains true to herself. No BS . Thanks for the mood lift.?

  26. Who’s counting? You are. Aren’t you always telling us to keep the score, know the score, and the score will improve?

  28. I am really glad to know that there will be another Joanna Brady book. She is my favorite. I have been going back thru many books that I previously read and now listening to them on Audible. I have noticed one problem that is unique to the Brady books. The narrator of those books don’t know how to pronounce some Arizona words. They do a poor job on saguaro and they really mangle Huachuca. The first time I heard that one, I couldn’t figure out they meant. About the third or fourth time, I figured out that they meant Fort Huachuca. I was born and grew up in Tucson.

    • I’ve noticed the same thing and have been unable to fix the problem. It would seem that the narrators are generally not from this side of the Mississippi.

  29. Thank you!!!!! Never enough Joanna Brady books!!! Never enough JANCE gems!!!

  31. Looking forward to your next book. My favorites are Ali Reynolds and Joanne Brady, but I like all your characters too. I am encouraged that you are already looking into writing another book with Joanne Brady.
    I’m now ready ones I read years ago and enjoying them again. Thanks.

  32. I’m so glad I’ll get to read more Joanna Brady, especially now that she has a little girl.

  33. So looking forward to another book of yours. I like that you do not always use the one and only characters for your books. I like different different people in the books.

  35. We love the Brady books. In truth we love all your characters and books. Excited for the new release and happy Mr. Short-Tail is doing well.

  36. Too bad nobody seems to direct the readers to the google trick of searching the word in question followed by “pronunciation.” Using that, I found out that I’ve been mispronouncing Mogollon wrong for 60 years.
    Thanks for putting another story on paper! I can skip buying flowers or jewelry for my wife’s birthday if you have a new book ready in September.

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