One of my mother’s favorite aphorisms was this: A wise man changes his mind. A fool never does.
This week’s blog deals with mind changing, including a bit of literary history.
Decades ago, when I was working on Beaumont #9, Payment in Kind, the story ground to a halt part way in—at Chapter 11—and wouldn’t budge.
At the time, I was both a writer and a soccer mom. Shortly after the writing stalled out, I went to soccer practice where I sat down next to another soccer mom, a woman named Vicki. She asked me how I was doing. “I’m really struggling with Chapter 11,” I told her. “Oh, my,” she said. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were having financial difficulties.”
Once I assured her it was a writing problem as opposed to a financial one, she became an instant fan. Soon after that encounter, she and her family moved to Oklahoma, and I lost track of her, but that incident popped back into my head just this week.
It turns out that changing one’s mind the most difficult task any writer can face, but shortly after that talking with Vicki, I managed to do just that. I realized that the person I thought was the killer just didn’t have the gumption to do it, so I had to look around my cast of characters to find out who the real culprit was. In the end, the answer to the problem was just that simple.
This week I faced a similar issue. Smoke and Mirrors stalled out, but in Chapter 17 rather than Chapter 11. When a book stops cold for some reason or other, I usually spend several sleepless nights, tossing and turning and trying to come to terms with the issue. For a time it looked as though things were bad enough that I might have to abandon the plot line that was the origin of the book’s title.
Then, two days ago, after getting Bill settled for the night, I was walking down the hall when the answer lightbulb lit up in my head. It turns out that a character I had always assumed was a bad guy turned out to be a good guy after all. And that’s all I needed to do in order to fix the book and get it moving again—I had to change my mind.
So here’s a Mother’s Day thank you to Evie Busk. She just managed to save my bacon one more time.
Happy mother’s Day ??
Thank you. That helps me a lot. On to changing my perspective and back to listening to my characters.
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Chapter 11 is actually a good title for a story.
An early Happy Mother’s Day to you, and a thank you to Evie as well. I am always amazed when you relate how your characters and you work the stories. I shouldn’t be anymore since your characters come alive to me as well. They dance in my head while reading. To the point that when I take a break from reading I’m amazed at how quiet the room is.
Thank you so much, and my brain thanks you too.
I am thankful to Evie as well…
I love the way you draw from real people in your life and slip them into your stories. We have corresponded back and forth a couple few times (thank you for that) so perhaps it was coincidence or perhaps intentional, but recently I found both my first and my last name as character names in one of your most recent books. Coincidental or intentional, it made me smile.
I spend a lot of time on the road and I’m always listening to audiobooks.
Perhaps this makes me one of your more loyal followers, perhaps it shows me to be old and lazy
But I am now on my fourth round of listening to your books in chronological order (J. P. At the moment). It always amazes me at how much I remember, how much I have forgotten and how much I apparently missed the first time (or two or three). They are all long time friends.
Thanks again.
Hey Russ, I’m more of a listener than a reader too, and I am doing the chronological order thing with JP as well, but am having to READ them rather than listen to them, because when they were written, CD’s didn’t exist. Did you READ the earlier ones too, or just start where the audio books began? I’m still going through my JP paperbacks, hoping to soon get to the ones that were recorded.
I’ve “read” quite a few, but I use “Libby” to listen to all of them. Libby is an app that lets you download books using your local library account. I live in Northern Virginia and actually have 5 separate library cards because our local libraries allow residents in adjoining communities to get an account with them also (that was kinda wordy, you can tell that I’m not a writer).
To the best of my knowledge (without bothering to look) I’m pretty certain that all but the very latest of Judy’s books are available to me from one or more of my libraries in audio format.
I use “OrderofBooks.com” to stay on track and go through all four of the different series in about 2 1/2 years or so. Currently listening to Trial by Fury”, for the 4th time (I think),last checked out 7/12/22.
I used to listen to other authors but don’t bother anymore. ?
Thanks, Russ! I’ll have to check out Libby, as I’m sure we have it available here in northern Alberta as well.
I use “FantasticFiction” to know the order in which books are written, and I’m about to re-listen to the Ali book, “Moving Target,” as the Ali books are all available in audio form, but it would be great to also find the earlier Beau books recorded. I do listen to a few other authors in between, when I’m waiting for my next JAJ book to arrive–especially if I’ve discovered them referred to in JAJ’s blogs, like Sue Grafton–but I don’t find any of them as “satisfying” as JAJ’s. There–I was a bit wordy too! Also not a writer!
I’ve done it wrong twice!
I guess we will need to petition her to write a bit
Praise God for Evie! You never know what impact one person can make.
I guess we will need to petition her to write a bit faster ?
I guess we will need to petition her to write a bit
I believe your sweet Evie Busk should be a charter member of the local chapter of “Common Sense Mensa.”
Happy Mother’s Day J.A. and Happy Mother’s Day to Evie as well. My mom cared nothing about her birthday, anniversary or any holidays, but we didn’t dare forget her on Mother’s Day. That was Her Day and she would be very hurt if we didn’t acknowledge it in a special way. She has been gone since 1988 and until recently I spent every MD at the cemetery visiting with her. Now I still visit with her, but from home.
Blessing to you and Bill.
That is so true
Some mothers are priceless—and timeless!
Happy Mother’s Day, y’all. <3
Hi…I’m stalled on Book Five of my series because Detective Sharp is blaming himself for losing control of the investigation. Maybe it’s time for him to retire…do you ever get to this point?
Diane
I always enjoy your weekly blogs and this was no exception. Score another one for the amazing Evie Busk. Happy Mothers Day Judy.
Happy Mother’s Day to you Judy . I’m going to have Dave (husband) use your mom’s saying as his Thought of the Day at his next Toastmaster’s meeting.
And be sure to have him tell them that the year I spent in Toastmaster’s before my first book was published has made all the difference in my presentation over the course of the last forty years.
Happy Mothers Day JA……a a dedicated reader and your only “Northern Arizona Stalker”……. Dann
The old saying is “It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind”. With that reminder… You can write just about anything and we readers will go with the flow and trust your judgement implicitly. You are our escape guru! Love all your books that I have read!
It is so special to work hard on something special like your books and have the phrases we grew up with or the songs sung on trips to the mountains rise up once again to help us in real time. I am fascinated by your blogs and how timely they are to my own life. Thank you again for this blog.
It’s such a mystery to me how your characters–that YOU created!–have minds of their own, and turn out to be different from what you planned or expected.
It is always astounding how the mind can take the most perplexing and in the quietest of moments, to quote many New Englanders, “…the light dawns on Marblehead…” It has happened to me a few times.
perplexing problem*
Good for you! Things generally work out. I am so looking forward to your next book(s). I am never bored with them, and I wish I was a lady sheriff in Arizona, or somewhere.
When I was young, I wanted to be a cowgirl. Imagine that!
I wish you and Bill well. Also, Happy Mothers’ Day!
Thanks to your lovely memories, Evie lives on for a lot of us.
I am re -reading Sins of the Fathers. I loved it the first time but have an even deeper respect for your writing skills the second time around.