Fall is in the air, and it’s been a glorious week for getting my steps. Not too cold; not too hot—as it actually was one day last week. Overcast, yes, some of the time, but not actually raining.
After what one blog reader called my “slugfest,” the slugs vanished—the very next day after the blog went live! Since then, I’ve seen only one of those and a single earth worm, but the slugs all have gone to wherever slugs go.
The petunia baskets are about to give up the ghost. The fuchsia baskets I received on Mother’s Day are still hanging in. They’ve been glorious all summer long, but I can tell they won’t be around much longer. And once the temps get too low, it’ll be time to stop feeding the fish. I’m pretty sure they’ll miss my visits for a while, but eventually they’ll hibernate.
The last time I wrote about juggling three balls was while I was finishing writing a Joanna book, waiting for the copy-editing on an Ali book, and getting ready to go on tour with a Beaumont—a book written two years and two whole books ago.
Remembering the details of Den of Iniquity was problematic to begin with, but eventually I got back into the swing of things. Talking about JP and his issues and exploits was fun. These days, he’s more like an old friend than he is a fictional character.
Fortunately, the editorial letter on the Joanna book didn’t show up until most of the Beaumont events and interviews were over. Longtime readers of this blog have become familiar with the three stages of editing. I write a book and send the manuscript to New York. The editorial letter is the first stage in the publisher’s part of the editing process. My editor reads the manuscripts and sends back her suggestions. Once I make those and return them to her, I receive what’s known as the D&A payment—aka Delivery and Acceptance.
Longtime readers of this blog are probably also aware that I’m not a fan of outlining. I encountered outlining for the first time in Mrs. Watkins’s sixth grade Geography class. I hated outlining on sight, and nothing that has happened to me in the intervening decades has changed my mind about outlining.
In other words, when I start writing a book. I may name the baby, but I don’t necessarily know how the story is going to end. That was the situation with By Reason of Insanity, Joanna Brady #20, a book that was named shortly after I wrote the first few pages. The problem is, the name was related to what I thought would be the ending—which, as it turned out, wasn’t exactly what I expected.
So when the editorial letter came, that was the editor’s first request—that I consider a title change. Since I had finished the book and already noticed that discrepancy, renaming it wasn’t a big issue. Joanna Brady # 20 is now called The Girl from Devil’s Lake.
My work on that ended last week, and I’m waiting for the D&A check to land in my checking account any minute. The next time I encounter Brady #20 it’ll be at Editing, Stage 3, and I’ll be looking at the type-set galley.
Which brings me to the last of those three juggling balls, the copy-editing for the Ali book, Overkill, which arrived in my mailbox on Tuesday. That’s NY editing, Stage 2. I’m working my way through the manuscript right now. It’s going fairly smoothly, and I’m more than halfway done.
I’m hoping to have the copy editing completed by Friday. If that’s the case, I’ve already got a book lined up to read over the weekend, and I’m looking forward to it.
It’s about time I got back to reading someone else’s books.
I’ve missed that.
Den of Iniquity is your best.
I can’t wait to get my hands on these, no matter what the title ends up being!
The trees are long gone, but I used to have small evergreens on one side of the patio. I’d hang plants on lower branches during the summer. One year I decided to give a fuchsia a big drink of water before bringing it inside. As the plant filled with water three or four mice jumped out. Thank goodness I hadn’t brought it into the house w/o watering it.
The trees are gradually changing color here in Connecticut, but no frost yet.
I swear, Judy, some days I’m sure we’re living in parallel universes. Yesterday I wrote an email note to the 30 PNW authors who are attending a book fair here on the Long Beach peninsula tomorrow and reminded them that as we approach the finish line, “ball dropping” was not an option!
(And the book I’M looking forward to reading when the dust settles here is YOURS!)
Love you!
Glad to know the name change. Right after I heard that the Brady book had been sent to the editor, I called and preordered it The very nice sales lady couldn’t find it and I explained why. Think I will wait a few weeks before I call back with the correct name.
I had lunch with a cousin this week and told her all about you. She is a Seattle area fan, and a reader. By now she probably has Until Proven Guilty. No doubt, you have picked up another fan.
Maybe it has been asked before, but what do you read? At this point in my reading I’m only reading you. I would imagine once I finish the Brady series, Ali and then Walker, maybe there will be the next Brady one to read. But when I’m caught up with them I may need something to read. Just curious.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t thank you again for your writings that keep my brain so entertained.
The book I read last weekend was: The Existential Worries of Mags Munroe by Jean Grainger. It’s a police procedural set in Ireland.
What Arther’s do you read?
See my reply above.
I had to laugh when you were thinking of Beau as an old friend instead of a fictional character. I’m not quite done with “Den of Iniquity”, but in the beginning when Beau was talking about how they had sold their condo in Seattle I thought “I didn’t realize they had sold it”. It was like I was thinking about some friends. That is a sign of a good author. You think of characters as if they are your friends. I love all of your series. I hope you keep writing. Thank you for sharing your gifts.
I too had that same “I didn’t realize they had sold it” reaction. They are like friends. Well put.
Fall always marks a turning point here in New Hampshire. Occasional warm days and lots of color.
Glad you made good progress on your books. Sounds like the juggling has slowed down and you get a day (or a few to unwind).
Enjoy!
Lou
I don’t know how you keep up with everything. I have to have things I need to do on my calendar or it is lost forever!!
What other authors do you read? My sister and I like to read books by Mary Alice Monroe, Kristin Hannah, Danielle Steel, and James Patterson’s ladies murder club books but branch out to others also.
I loved Den of Iniquity….another great JP thriller. One thing I’ve learned from reading your various series, I love Beaumont in 1st person….just love being with Beau as he figures these things out. Keep them coming and thank you for your talent.
I just finished Den. Loved it. Always good to read about your characters, somewhat like catching up with old friends. Remembering those COVID days and relating how my teen grandkids dealt with it all. How you made that all into a mystery and solved the crimes is brilliant.
I’m headed down to our new senior center to the Qi-gong class then will walk their indoor track hope you get your 10k in, it’s a rainy mess out there.
Thanks,
Sue J
Just a quick question. Who do YOU read?
Police procedurals and thrillers.
That is a lot of juggling!
Hugs and Blessings to you
I’m not a fan of outlining as well, ever since high school. So how do you write? Chapter by chapter? Write the ending and figure out how to get there? What is your thought process?
I start at the beginning and write to the end.
Me, too!
Who books do u suggest I’ve never been a reader until a coworker gave me one of your books. Now I have read every single one , and have everyone of them and go buy the new book the first fay u can get it. Your books get my attention right away and those r the books I would like to read. Ty. I don’t know what I will read when u stop writing. Ty so much
Oh, Ms. Judith! You are a writing legend. I still say Beau is your alter ego. It is difficult to say that I could not stand him in your earlier novels yet now I crush on him. Thanks for your decades of providing me reading enjoyment!
For a change read author Robert Bailey’s novels on crime, lawyers and life in the south.
Just finished Den of Iniquity and, given Beau is my favorite, you always come through with flying colors. Having retired from working in law enforcement for 20 some years (SPD for 1 1/2 years), and growing up a born Seattlelite, Beau’s adventures come alive as I can visualize exactly where he is in our city and beyond quite well. That makes it almost like a movie to me. Thank you once again for the best entertainment ever. However, all your other characters are special, too, as I read about them all.
Just finished Den of Inequity. Beau ffits like an old shoe.
Oh, oh…your reading a book brings this inquiry:
– Is your preference, fiction or non-fiction?
– If fiction, should we assume mysteries are your choice?
– Or, non-fiction? If so, what type??
An inquiring fan’s mind would like to know.
Thank you!!
Definitely fiction.
Your Job seems to be much more complicated than we the readers realize. Thank you for your efforts.
An old friend rather than a fictional character” is the perfect description of JP Beaumont. You have made him come alive for your readers. Thank you. I hope there will be more to come.
Now in SoCal, I miss Woodinville and Redmond. Your descriptions take me back there with a mix of pleasure and nostalgia.
We got the new Beaumont book from our library a few days ago. I let my husband read it first as I was partway thru another book. He is not a fast reader, spending too much time watching tv or looking at things on his phone. But I noticed he was reading your new book consistently and finished it sooner than I expected. I am a fast reader, so I should be able to return it to the library in a few days, for the next reader to enjoy. I look forward to the Joanna Brady, she is my favorite of your characters. Thanks for all of your writing all these years.
I have been reading the Beaumont books for YEARS. And as you say, JP Beaumont feels like an old friend. I love the stories and the continuation of his life, and I particularly love all the familiar settings since I live in Bellevue Washington. And THEN you added Ashland Oregon, my favorite place in the whole world! My mom grew up in Ashland and then I spent some part of every summer of my childhood with her parents whom I dearly loved!!! I grew up in Tacoma but have lived in Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish and Bellevue since 1986. So it’s always a delight to return to Beaumont and his environment!!! Thank you!!! And I love your blogs!!!??
It’s a shame we read faster than you write 🙂 I can’t wait for all the new books to come out.
I have read every book you have written and I am always anxious for the others to come out. I savor them by not reading them right away…. I read other books for a while then as a treat I read your book but since I caught up so long ago , it leaves me nothing to read in between where as before I was caught up I always had more to go…. Please keep up the great stories.
Judy,
What can I say except I am dizzy just reading about you keeping track of tree different story lines all at once. Maybe when I was a lot younger, I could have done that, but now I get confused just looking at my daily “to-do” list. Moving chores around in the correct importance or urgency is like working a big jigsaw puzzle. Thank you for keeping all your stories coming and in a sequence that keeps all of your fans satisfied.
Janice Molina
I’m an amateur writer, mostly for my own edification, and I know how long it takes me to produce just 1500 words a month. That’s my attempt at empathy for your hours of work. I sat down the other day and devoured Den of Iniquity in 8 hrs. You see, J.P. is a friend of mine too, and I love to read his adventures. Thank you for creating him and keeping him going to entertain us. I’ll get to the Joanna and Ali books as soon as I can. Your characters make me think we could be friends, but I’m afraid you would walk off and leave me. I’m thankful for your creative mind and the desire to share with us. Bless you!
I read all your books . Who do you read ? Please …!
I do like your blogs. Informative and fun to read.
It’s been a bit busy in SC the past week so I didn’t get to respond to the blog last week after I finished Den of Iniquity, haven’t had much internet access since Helene came through, but thankfully have cellular access on phone! I loved the book, particularly connected with the ready cook bacon and the show Call te Midwives which my husband and I both enjoy. Loved the younger and older generation interactions and the references to laboratory requirements too (I worked in lab as a career). I also recently joined a,quilt guild, so just lots of neat things! Great job, look forward to next book!
I’m always more than ready for another J.P. Beaumont adventure…hope one is in the works.
I enjoy your blogs…keep up the good work!
Hi JA, I’m looking forward to reading Den of Iniquity…it’s next in my list. Right now I’m reading Ali’s Clawback and loving it. Before that I read Chris Whitaker’s All The Colors of the Dark!! It might be one you’d enjoy too.
Thank you for your fabulous books, I look forward to every one of them. I working through Ali Reynolds series now. Thanks again!
Whoa! I’m exhausted just reading your blog. Thank you for the amazing books you write and the rich , human characters that you have introduced us to over the years. I can honestly say that I’ve never read one of your books and not been sad when it’s over. Your stories are that good!
Enjoy some well deserved rest and reading time. Please tell us in the next blog what authors your enjoy.
It was gloomy, rainy day yesterday so I spent the day reading Beau’s latest adventures. I took only a couple of breaks to make another cup of tea, but finished the book.
I liked the story and the mention of folks from the past. It was nice to hear about a few them. I was tickled to read that Beau has again has his car destroyed. That is almost a running joke.
Thanks for writing this book. It was interesting to learn of the modern crime fighting tools.
I went back to Beaumont’s Book #10 “Without Due Process” where we learn about the Teddy Bear Patrol. Benjamin Harrison Weston was the first child to get a teddy bear from the police who showed up after his parents were murdered.
I thought the idea of carrying a teddy bear along to give a child was such a good idea. Is it still done in Seattle?
Judy, I read your blog weekly and love hearing from you. I was just telling my husband that I can hardly keep straight what books I have read and what I have yet to read, though you are writing three books at a time and keeping all of those characters and events in order! You are truly a special and gifted person and writer. I so admire you – yes – I have the books catalogued on a spread sheet. All the best, Diane in Tucson