Writers write. Every day. Right now it’s Tuesday morning. So far today, I’ve written a new bio for an event I’m doing late in October. I’ve also spent more than an hour doing an on-line interview for the upcoming Beaumont book, The Taken Ones.
It’s suddenly occurring to folks that Beau has been around for more than forty years and that I’ve been writing for a VERY long time. As a consequence, it wasn’t your run-of-the-mill “What’s the book about?” interview. The questions came from a more historical perspective, and the answers weren’t exactly something I could cut and paste.
I’ve also answered a question from a fan who’s planning on visiting Cochise County later this year and wanted some pointers about what to see and do. That reply was short but fun.
The thing is, Tuesday mornings are usually when I get my rear in gear and write the blog, and that’s what I’m doing right now—writing the blog!
I’m an old-fashioned kind of girl. Back in the very old days when I was having kids, there were no such things as gender-reveal parties. Parents back then mostly didn’t know what they were getting until the baby was … well … unwrapped, as it were, and that’s when you give them a name.
To my way of thinking, writing a book is pretty much the same deal. Since I don’t outline, I don’t know what’s going to happen in any given book until it does. And the same thing holds true for creating a title. That often doesn’t come into focus until somewhere along the way.
In the case of Unnamed Joanna #22, that didn’t happen until the story was practically in the elevator and on the way to the delivery room. And here it is: Before the Trail Goes Cold. My editor actually suggested it, and as soon as she did, I thought, “Why the hell didn’t I think of that?”
And that’s all you get for a blog today. Why? Because last Friday afternoon at 5:16 PM, I finally completed the manuscript. Since then I’ve been doing a word-for-word read-through and making corrections as I go along. In its natural state, my writing tends to be plagued by echoes. That means I use the same word or phrase in close proximity far too many times, so I’ve been trying to root out as many as I can. (See there? Did you catch the two many?) And then there are the words that Auto Correct blithely changes into something else that doesn’t make a bit of sense. Too for Two, for instance. And if I make a typing error when writing the words “of these”? You can bet autocorrect will turn that into outhouse!
After completing the manuscript, I started working on corrections the first thing Saturday morning. Halfway through the writing process, I had a computer malfunction and my comprehensive name-file—one that covers a number of books in the Beaumont series and had 40,000 words in it—suddenly opened up empty! As I continued writing, I added in new names as I went, but while doing the corrections, I’m recreating the name file for the first half of the book. That’s a complex, time-consuming process.
There are 527 pages in the manuscript for Before the Trail Goes Cold. Three days into corrections, I’m on page 204, so I’d best get my rear in gear on that, too. Oh, and the Department of Licensing just let me know my driver’s license will expire on my birthday, so that’s on my To-Do list as well. But first off come corrections. I’d like the book to be in my editor’s hands by Friday afternoon.
I’ll let you know if I make the grade.
PS. Please don’t try to add that title to your pre-order list. Since the book isn’t due out until next fall, it’s way too soon for that to show up.
I love when your blogs elaborate on your writing process. It’s a peek into the magical world that entertains my brain so much. I appreciate your writing.
When I first discovered your books I had so many ahead of me to read. Since finishing all of them, and re-reading once already, I find myself without all those books ahead of me to read. I think I will do a third read through of all of them. At least until your new books come out.
As usual a wonderful blog. One of my sister’s had a bookshelf with all of your books in order. She was a true fan as an I
Wow! Great title, and I won’t pre-order [yet], but I have already changed my book list from Joanna #22. However, my pre-ordered Girl From Devil’s Lake [4 in paperback] should be coming in soon, I hope.
Blessing to you and Bill.
I will be going to Brick and Mortar on Sunday. I’ve been working.
I hope you have all your files backed up! We use Dropbox, and I can access it even on my phone when I’m out and about. Please have someone help you set up a backup method! PS I can’t wait till the next book(s)! Linda O
I hope you have all your files backed up! We use Dropbox, and I can access it even on my phone when I’m out and about. Please have someone help you set up a backup method! PS I can’t wait till the next book(s)! Linda O
Thank you for finishing another Joanna Brady. My favorite of all your series of books. You have exhausted me just reading about all you have to do to get ready for the publisher. All that while taking care of the next Beau, taking care of Bill, and the many day to day tasks we all face. Please, find time to rest every now and then!
Janice Molina
JP Beaumont has been in my world for 40 years!?!?!? He is by far my favorite detective!
Thanks for the update. Also, you taught me to watch for those echoes in my own writing and I am grateful.
Well done, Judy!
Love reading your blog each week Judy! I just finished Taking the Fifth. I am reading this series kind of backwards. I found Proof of Life through Den of Inequity at a Half Price Books, read them and proceeded to purchase the rest of the series. So far, J. P. Has changed quite a bit, nevertheless I enjoy your writing and can’t wait to finish the rest of the books.
I originally started, and finished, with the Joanna Brady series, because it was set in Arizona. I then found out about and read the Walker books. Finally, I figured that since I enjoy your writing, and stories, I might as well get the Ali Reynolds books as well! Those are to be read.
Thanks again, and I look forward to the new books!
Love reading your blog each week Judy! I just finished Taking the Fifth. I am reading this series kind of backwards. I found Proof of Life through Den of Inequity at a Half Price Books, read them and proceeded to purchase the rest of the series. So far, J. P. Has changed quite a bit, nevertheless I enjoy your writing and can’t wait to finish the rest of the books.
I originally started, and finished, with the Joanna Brady series, because it was set in Arizona. I then found out about and read the Walker books. Finally, I figured that since I enjoy your writing, and stories, I might as well get the Ali Reynolds books as well! Those are to be read.
Thanks again, and I look forward to the new books!
Great blog, thank you!
I added the new title to my own personal spreadsheet. I keep track of all the books and series that I read and want to read. Column headings are Title, Author, Year/day of publication, whether I’ve Read it or not, Format (audiobook or Kindle – cozies are typically Kindle format; others are listened to more slowly in the car), and Series name and number.
(If I’ve missed a new book of a favorite series, the entry gets highlighted in red so it’s next in line for purchase. Books that haven’t been read say NO in the Read? column.)
Oh, I do love reading your blogs. Sure is a lot of work that goes into publishing a book.
Regarding your auto license–a neighbor told me that after 70 you have to go in person to renew your license and you can now get them for either 6 or 8 years. I’ll have to do mine in December.
OMG, I also have a spreadsheet with the same information but also what plastic bin I have it store in. All my books are paperbacks. I have 40 plastic bins stored in my garage, and my spreadsheet is huge.
You are amazing!
From my experience, I want to warn you to make an appointment with the DMV ahead of your birthday. I did not, and so an appointment was not available until 6 weeks after my birthday. That adds to the cost! There are even more pieces that added to my trouble, but I don’t want to share with everyone. You can write if you want more details!
Thank you for all your hardworking and attention to detail. I love to read your books!!!
Thank you!
Laura
This week’s blog was so much fun to read as usual. You are one busy lady.
I can empathize with you on going back and redoing your manuscript. I was a proofreader in the old days and I’ve never lost that urge to correct words in print.
We’re all so glad you’re able to finish your books in a timely manner because they’re such a pleasure to read. Please keep your good humor, no matter what.
Best to you and Bill <3
I appreciate your weekly updates and interesting information! Thank you for all your work.
Can’t wait for new Beau and Joanna book! Love them both. So far I d read every one in both series and have a good many Ali Reynolds under my belt as well. Fantastic characters and storylines by a fantastic author! Keep writing!!