No, that line above isn’t from Elton John’s song. It’s from one by Janis Ian—a song about getting older and living with getting older—accepting the lines and wrinkles as evidence of a life well lived. As someone who has never had “work done” or dyed my hair, that works for me. As Popeye would say, “I am what I am and that’s all that I am.”
This week I’ve been doing interviews for podcasts that will be turning up closer to the pub date for The Girl From Devil’s Lake. On two of those, I was referred to as “the legendary J.A. Jance.” Being legendary is a compliment, yes, but it also means I’ve been writing books for a very long time—more than half my life. Early on I remember a—let’s just say youthful—newspaper reporter asking me how old I was when I started writing my first novel. When I replied that I had been thirty-eight, I remember her saying, “That’s so old!” If she thought 38 was old, I wonder what she’d think about someone who’s 80. Come to think of it, I wonder if she’s still in the newspaper business, but that’s a whole other issue. At this point the newspaper business has virtually disappeared—in every sense of the word.
What brought all this to mind today is that I learned that Thomas Perry passed away earlier this week. I first met Tom years ago at the first very Tucson Festival of Books, and both of us have been there ever since, with one notable exception. Unfortunately, the year Tom was due to be the recipient of TFOB’s Founder’s Award, he came down with Covid and was unable to attend.
Although I have to admit to being star struck when I first met him, I came to respect him and like him. I admired him for his self-deprecating sense of humor and for his kindness. I loved the easy way he and his wife, Jo, were together. That kind of devotion isn’t something that can be faked and only put on display for public consumption. Clearly they lived together in loving harmony every day for decades on end, and I’m sure Jo is feeling devastated right about now.
I don’t think either Thomas Perry or I set off with the idea of writing the great American Novel. We set out to be storytellers. Wanting to entertain and to be able to tell stories that were important to us, we both turned to writing mysteries. Something else we had in common were long lasting connections to the original settlers of this country.
OSs are the people who came across the Bering Sea and eventually spread to every corner of North America. When Columbus first landed in the New World, he thought he was in India, so he called the people he encountered there “Indians.” That terminology lasted for a very long time. Then, somewhere in the nineteen sixties or seventies, some busybody in the Anglo world decided the word Indian was somehow demeaning, so the term Native American came to be the approved verbiage. (That was wrong, of course, see the Bering Sea reference above!). Later on, someone else with too much time on his or her hands and way too much education decided that the words Native American should be banished in favor of the word Indigenous. I personally have never met anyone who refers to themselves as Indigenous. I know people who are Tohono O’odham or Cherokee or Apache or Navajo or Sioux. There may be OS (Original Settler) people out there who prefer the word Indigenous, but I’ve never met them.
The people Thomas Perry knew were Seneca, and he wove their traditions and beliefs into his books through the character of Jane Whitefield in the same way my Walker Family books reflect what I learned during my years as a librarian on the Tohono O’odham. It’s not a matter of “stealing” their culture and beliefs; it’s a matter of sharing those things with people who would otherwise have no idea that they even exist. There’s wisdom in those ancient tales and customs. I believe I’m better off for knowing them, and I think other people are, too.
So this is a writer’s way of honoring the passing of a fellow writer and kindred spirit. Thomas Perry’s presence will truly be missed.
As for me? As my friend Janis Ian would say:
Another line, another year.
I’m still standing here.
‘work done’ – I commented a couple of years ago that our family friend Jan looked just like she did in 1979 at my sister’s wedding reception. My younger sister who is the same age as Jan said “well she has had some work done .”. To which I replied “It was well worth it !”
Another great Friday blog. Thanks.
Blessing to you and Bill
Well, once again, you have introduced me to an author I’d never heard of. I just ordered the first of Thomas Perry’s Jane Whitefield series, which is available on CD’s. I see that his #10 in the series is to come out in 2026. I look forward to gaining a bit of familiarity with the Seneca through his books, as I have learned about the Tohono O’odham through yours. My condolences to you in the loss of your friend.
Another wonderful blog, as usual. But the Bering Sea migration theory is not in vogue any longer. There are numerous digs in South America showing settlement as long as 40,000 years ago. (I’m about to throw out the remaining copies of a novel I wrote on the subject years ago. Gave free copies to about 20 paleo experts. No one cared enough to write me back. Oh well.)
I am 8 years older than you and still kicking. I own and have read all your books. Please stay well and keep writing.
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Wonderful blog. I am just recently rereading the Walker series and enjoying them more. My first go through I struggled to pronounce all the words foreign to me correctly. I’m not proficient yet, but better. So the story flows better.
Thank you for exposing me to all your characters and story lines.
I’m so thankful that you are “still standing!” I’ve enjoyed your books for so many years, and I still get excited when I know another wonderful book is in the works. Be well my friend, and keep on keeping on!
You got it exactly right!
I always have enjoyed when authors I was fond of, were fond of each other. I love your books, I loved the Jane books. I’m glad to have more new ones of yours to read. I’m sad there will be no new Jane books, but I’ll happily reread the ones I have.
Love this, Janice! Janis Ian is one of my favorite singers, and we discovered we have something in common. I have MS, and her mother died of MS, though this was many years before there were os many medical advances. I have a file of her lyrics and turn to them frequently.
I’m 72 and relate to so many of your stories. I know we’re in the winter of our lives, and I’m OK with that.
Jackie
And we are all better for it.
My deepest sympathies for your loss.
Looking forward to reading the next book.
At 81, I’m still standing with you. I did not know that about Columbus naming the native people Indian because he thought he had landed in India. Learn something new every day!!
As one of my TO friends said, “I’m glad he didn’t think he was in Turkey.”
I’m glad you’re still standing, too, JA!
I love the way you respect all peoples lives.
Your words are true to the heart, soul and world.
I don’t know how I can ever tell you the impact reading your books have had on me.
Thank you and keep on lighting up the world.
Donna Bohrn
Rest in peace Thomas Perry…Judy, thank you for your tribute.
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. I loved his Jane Whitfield books. I’m so glad you are “still standing.” I look forward to Joanna, Ali, and Beau fixes! I was late getting hooked on the Walkers, but I love them, too. It is so hard to find something fulfilling to read between your books, so I’ve read plenty of okay books and yuck books by independent authors, most just starting out. What I’m fnding in a lot of those are graphic sex and/or profanity….neither of which I care to read, so will stop reading. delete it fro my kindle library and never try another book by that author!! All the more reason I appreciate your work. Thank you.
Oh my goodness – what a shock to learn of Tom’s passing. My husband and I attended the TFB a few years ago for the first time and enjoyed a panel with you, Tom and Craig Johnson. We were familiar with and loved your books and Craig’s but this was our first introduction to Tom. So glad we had a chance to get to discover Jane Whitefield!
I’m sorry for the loss of your friend and colleague. But glad you’re still standing!
Thank you for honoring your friend. His books look interesting, I’m going to try them. Keep standing!
Thank you for the years of enjoyment reading your books. So happy to see three more are coming out soon.
Please just keep on writing your books as they are my favorites.
I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. What a nice tribute. We are so excited for the new books and so happy you are still standing and writing.
Thank you for 40 amazing years of storytelling, JA! Please keep on writing (and as long as it doesn’t interfere with your writing, we’ll even allow you to sit down occasionally). Looking forward to seeing you at the South Hill Mall today.
Thank you for 40 amazing years of storytelling, JA! Please keep on writing (and as long as it doesn’t interfere with your writing, we’ll even allow you to sit down occasionally). Looking forward to seeing you at the South Hill Mall today!
I have been a very long time fan and I met you briefly at the Puyallup Barnes and Noble. My friend Mary Farnsworth gets your Blog and I would love to receive it also!
Great remembrance/tribute to Tom and I, too, am happy you’re still standing and writing. I still remember a panel at the TFOB (Tucson Festival of Books) with the three authors that had attended all the festivals, you, Tom, and Luis Alberto Urrea, spoke. What a great memory that will, sadly, not be repeated again in this lifetime.