This has been an odd week. The ebook edition of Girls’ Night Out went on sale on Tuesday, and it felt like nothing happened.
There were no interviews, no zoom calls, no signings, no hoopla, so it felt like a non-event.
I’ve heard from some readers. One said that reading about Twinkle and her father reminded her of helping her own father work on his International Travelall.
Another said that she thought Twink deserved, if not a book of her own, at least more stories about her.
Someone else pointed out that there’s a printing problem in the book. In passages where texts appear, it’s not clear which person is which. I’m told NY is working to resolve that issue.
In the meantime, I’m hoping that more of you will give Twinkle Winkleman a try and let me know what you think.
So what have I been doing in the meantime? Working on the next Joanna Brady book, By Reason of Insanity, that’s what!
Over the years, I’ve learned that the first twenty percent of any given book is the toughest part to write and the last forty percent is the easiest. So far in this instance, that has not proved to be true.
I’ve been marching steadily through the story at a rate of two to three percent a day. I’m currently at 36.9%. (No, I don’t get to count that as 37%. I’m not someone who rounds up!)
So if you feel as though today’s blog posting is giving you short shrift today, sorry. When a book is working like that, it’s hard to pull myself away from it.
After all, writing books really is my day job. Writing blogs is my hobby.
And let’s just hope that writing the ending of this book is as fun as writing the beginning has been.
As a paper pages reader I missed Twinkle’s special moment, but need to pursue how to get the e-version. Being a luddite is hard sometimes. Maybe Twinkle will visit Sedona in the winter….could happen?
Ceci
I just started the Audible edition this morning.
I’m sure I will be clambering for more Twinkle when I’m finished.
Very much looking forward to the next Brady book.
Just bought it. Didn’t know about its release. Looking forward to reading it!
Just don’t quit your day job!
Today’s blog was reassuring! And a reminder that this is usually the time of the year I get ‘down to business’ with the last half of whatever I’m nearing the end of. Looking forward to reading, as soon as I get my new eyeglasses. In the meantime, these seeming lulls I find, are usually a reminder that those times don’t last long. Soon the busy-ness will begin again. Enjoy it and ease along. When I said reassuring, it’s because sometimes during the times I’m struggling to get out of my own way, the characters are waiting rather impatiently for me to listen and just write.
I’m now a Joanna Brady fan as well as a J.P. Beaumont one. I’m only at the end of “Rattlesnake Crossing” but have found this series as captivating as J.P. I sometimes dread finally reading all the series’ books and then have to wait for new ones. I’ve been able to read as much as I want and still have many to read. So many books, so little time.
I’m so glad your day job is writing since you do it so well. I take the ebooks along with me to read in waiting rooms and the paperbacks for my night reading. Thank you so much for sharing your writings with us.
As I’ve said before, I am a DTR so have not gotten the eBook or the audio and I am going into withdrawal. Twinkle is definitely my kind of gal. [See the email I just sent to you]. In the meantime, I am in the middle of Paradise Lost and already have the next 4 books.
Tom, change “Rattlesnake Crossing” for “Paradise Lost” and I could have written that paragraph.
I purchased Girls Night Out from Amazon, which downloaded it directly to my free Kindle app on my iPad. I am a big fan of short stories and I enjoyed reading about Twinkle and her family. I look forward to reading more about her!
I look forward to and appreciate your weekly blogs. However, I would not want them to interfere with your ‘day job!’ So please just keep on keeping on!
Yesterday during a “heat warning” I decided one more time to see if I could find “Girls’ Night Out” on my Kindle. I finally clicked the correct something and was able to begin reading. Thank you for making your first novel available to entertain us while we anticipate your newest one in progress.
I had pre-ordered Girls Night Out and read it immediately. I love Twinkle’s story but then I love all your books. Brady hooked me back when I was a clerk in the law enforcement world. So many stories were unreal and infuriating, your Brady novels are real and aware! Thank you for what you do and for all the hours of enjoyment you have and will add to my life.
Cynthia, have you ever thought about writing your experiences? A friend of mine took a job as dispatcher in our small town police department. She said she thought it would be a dull job. However, after a few months she said, “Don’t say ‘You won’t believe this, but’—. People would call the police about the craziest things.
I, too, was a dispatcher/call taker for 3 police departments and wish I had written down more of those “interesting” situations.
Keep up the grind, J.A.!
YAY! I can’t wait!
Was on a wait list for “Girls Night Out” and loved it. I downed tools and spent the day in my chair with Twink and loved it. I need days like that occasionally!! Thank you.
I have already read it and really enjoyed it. I vote for more of Twinkle. I am a woman pf a certain age (ok, 71) and would love to read more about an active, vibrant not-so-young woman.
I LOVED TWINK’S STORY! It downloaded and I have had plenty of time to listen to it. Now – for the next series “Twink to the Rescue”? With JP’s advice along the way. I used to read every book which I have collected (signed) since my sister and I met you at The Poisoned Pen years ago and eagerly await the next story!
The libraries have had the e book version for some time. I placed a request a month ago. May be why there was no hoopla?
I’m sure it felt like a “non-happening” to you, but my library has a strict policy of not allowing requests for the purchase of digital materials until the date of release. You can believe that I had that date marked on my calendar. Lo and behold, when I logged in to request it, there it was! So now I’m 26th in line for 1 copy of the audiobook and can’t wait. And like your other blog readers, given the choice of being short-shrifted on your blog or your books, keep your day job please. Thanks!
I got Girl’s Night Out on audio and have listened to it twice already. It was a nice treat while waiting for a “real” book, i.e. regular length.
I got into audio books really during the lockdown. It is very relaxing to knit and listen.
I also.would like more.stories about Twinkle. While listening, I was wondering what were the chances of a fifth series! Not likely I suppose.
Thanks. I’m really enjoying Girls’ Night Out. Love Twinkle. And, looking forward to two books coming out.
I loved Girls Night Out! I was very sad when the next page was the teaser for your next book, although I admit I can’t wait for the next Ali Reynolds book! It took several pages in to realize Twinkle was a female, but I was thrilled to find that out. I grew up helping my dad in his shop, learning all about carburetors, fuel lines, brakes, etc on both tractors and cars. In the 60’s, the thought of the current state of tech-savvy vehicles wasn’t even a passing thought.
Jackie
All right,
J. A. Jance
has her moments
of doubt and then recovery.
Just so we all
are not
disappointed!
Have a good day,
as she says, it’s
steady as she goes!
Thank you. I don’t think anyone has ever written a poem about me before.
Wish I was going to be able to read your ebook but I don’t find reading stuff on a device either easy or enjoyable. Hope all of your offerings will end up in a real book – at least eventually.
I loved Twink’s story! Excellent as always. She’s a fun character and if she fits in to a story somewhere it would be fun to see her again. Thank you!
I really been enjoying Twinks Story! It’s been fun reading.
Thank you for all your books! I have been praying for a new Joanna book, my husbands asking for a new Ali book. My husband went into a depression when Bob died and asked me what happened to his bronco? He loved that fictional rig as much as I love my “toes up” Buick. Your books have really improved my life and my retirement- I listed to books while gardening, painting and remodeling, hiking, even canning. Everything’s better with your books.
Thank you
Just finished Girls’ Night Out and still smiling–good job Twinkle and Beau. Thanks again.
I don’t have an e-reader, so I ordered the audio CD. Can’t wait! Thanks, Judy!
Looking forward to next book.
I love Twinkle Winkleman!! I hope she is incorporated into a few JP Beaumont stories. While I can’t relate to her childhood, as my father didn’t know one end of the car from the other, my Texas next door neighbor used to let me help him when he was outside working on his truck. I take your books with me wherever I go, as I have a Kindle, and a Kindle app on my phone. Love all of your books – thank you for the hours and hours of reading enjoyment!!! ?
I loved Twinkle Winkleman too. I also agree that she should have more stories of her own.
Thank you for continuing to write, and write such characters/stories to which I can relate!!
Love and hugs to you!
Will certainly forgive you for short blog! Waiting sort-of patiently for new book!
Thank you again for so much pleasure reading about our friends and their lives.
I made a brief review already, but I love that character and definitely want more of her adventures. You’ve created a great new person to follow. Thank you!!!
I am ordering right now!
How do you keep so many things going all at once?!
I have always been slow to act, and cannot imagine the way you are so able to juggle
four series at once- One is over, and then you are right back in the saddle, producing another and another and another…..
You really must be Clark Kent’s secret daughter after all-
A secret SAVANT!!
Still a nice story
I thoroughly enjoyed Twinkle’s story. She is a force to be reckoned with. She could, of course, fill a book but I kind of like the short story idea now & then?
One of my dearest friends has lived in Fairbanks for at least 25 years. She could tell lots of stories of the culture, the weather, her family & actually herself. Alaskan residents live in more than just a unique environment-the culture & the isolation influences every aspect of their lives. Takes a unique person to adapt to it.
Looking forward to your new books?
How can you compute what exactly percentage of the story you’ve written when the rest of the story hasn’t been written yet. Am I missing something here?
The books are supposed to be 100,000 words long–so it will fit in a standard shipping box. I aim for 95,000. At the end of writing and subsequent editing, I’m usually right on the money–a few hundred words under 100,000. As of 9 PM, Friday night, I’m at 45.13–but who’s counting? I am. I count words and I count steps.
Glad you mentioned the book, I had preordered but it didn’t show up like others usually do. I went to the Amazon site and there it shows that I own it and can read now. Anyway, great timing, I’ll read it next! Thanks
Kindle has changed where to find new books now, thanks for helping me figure out where I need to look for new books on it!
Girls night out was a very enjoyable fast paced read. Twinkle is quite the character. Her antics are just on this side of believability.
Very much looking forward to the upcoming Joanna Brady. It’s so wonderful to hear someone talk about their job being fun. Such a chang from so many people’s moaning and groaning.
I read in the paper today that JD Vance’s real name is James David Bowman. His parents split when he was an infant. Interesting.
I don’t know how Judy keeps all of her characters straight, but I’m so glad she does.
Most are people I’d like to know in person. As much as I enjoy the Friday blog, I want her to keep her day job.
Hi – I am Marilyn Clise and I have been following your blog for a very long time and often making copies to read ad well. You lived next door wo Wally Hume in past years and he and Penny are good friends of mine. I have been in the audience in past years as you talked at Third Place books. I am in two book groups locally and would like to pick the best Beau book to suggest to them for September. Which would you suggest – the first one? I have read most of them, but at 88 years of age I need to reread. It would be fun for you to join one of the groups in September if you are available. Love to hear back from you. Cheers from Marilyn…
I think you should read “Until Proven Guilty” the first book first. It introduces you to Beau. My favorite, so far, is “Birds of Prey” Book #15 where he goes on a cruise to Alaska. Beau doesn’t look for trouble, but it always finds him.
I agree, start with the first book. I didn’t, started with “Second Watch” – only because I found it searching on Amazon; did not know it was a series. Having read the “j. P. Beaumont” series out of order, I would have preferred to have read in order. I think I will re-read in order soon. I started the “Brady” series in order, much better. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Beau and am looking forward to the new book this Fall. My favorite is “Second Watch” but that is very hard to pick one.
Was in the middle of another book when Twink came out. I’m usually not crazy about novellas but found this one quite good and like the whole idea of Twink. I agree that more of Twink would be cool. Beaumont is my favorite of all your characters but Twink has a quirky edge that makes her interesting. Starting to get into the Ali books as well and I obviously have many months of reading to catch up!!!! 12,000 steps for the wife and I today!!!
What )yo yo find out you released a Novella! I just started reading and already I am a little concerned. I love Twinkle!!! Thanks. This might tide me over until you release another book. Many thanks.
As well as being interesting, entertaining, and informative, this one got my curiosity up. If the first twenty percent is the hardest and the last forty percent is the easiest, how do you describe the in-between forty percent?
Twink is a hit for sure. Sure happy to make her acquaintance.
Writing the middle is like trudging through mud.
Tickled me right then. I’ll send an email to you in a bit to let you know why. Thanks for responding.
JW
I loved Girl’s’ Night out. The only problem I had it was too short. I love the character of Twinkle and her “daughter-in-law”. As a fan of all of your series, I would also love more stories about Twinkle.
Somehow I missed the news about this book. The LA PubLib website has 10 copies, 35 holds. I have added on.
It’s been a LONG time since we saw you at Vroman’s in Pasadena – can’t remember the book. Bless you for good stories, good commentary.
I just saw this. I think my server is to blame. Ha. I also haven’t read Girl’s Night Out because I don’t do eBooks. There are too many REAL books I enjoy holding in my hands. But I will definitely read it in hard back. You are the best, JA!
I loved Girls Night Out; and would really like to see more of Twinkle Winkleman. She is entertaining, and down to earth. Your books have been a real godsend to me.