I had a perfect day of writing this week and one day sometimes is all I can get. It’s amazing how good a writer feels when for a few hours they step out of the real world and into fiction. I got in a bar fight, landing on the coast in 1859 and was bit by a snake—I’m not sure what kind yet, I’m still looking at pictures.

When the writing comes, you forget all about what you have to do or what time dinner is or where your back hurts. Once in a while a writer just writes and on those rare days I know why it is I do this for a living.

I had a great time in Richardson at the Buns and Roses Tea. There is truly no better place for a writer to be than with readers. We may be writers, but we’re readers also and just as nuts about finding new books as any reader.

I came home Sunday night and read over the rewrites I was working on. Finished Monday afternoon and put them in the mail. I hope readers like REWRITING MONDAY as much as I do. We’ll see in April 09.

Tall, Dark, and Texan will hit the stands in less then two weeks. I can’t wait. The reviews are starting to come in and I’m very happy. It’s time to start working full time on the next story.

I spent the weekend in New Mexico. After spending so many hours in front of a computer it was delightful to relax and look at nature. Good friends, good food and a killer view.

The double rainbow was unbelievable against the stormy sky.

The changing leaves were so grand it looked like some of the trees were brushed with gold dust.

Three more weeks until TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN hits the stands. I can’t wait. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve loved characters so much. Teagen is going to make you laugh and cry and dream.

I just got back from the West Texas Book and Music Festival in Abilene. Great fun!
I enjoyed Don Graham’s remarks at the luncheon. If I lived near Austin, I’d take his class at UT on Texas Culture.

Several readers have asked what I listen to when I’m writing. Often nothing.
I enjoy the silence when the story is coming to me. Just like I always face the wall when I’m first creating.
Then, when I’m rewriting and polishing, I turn out the world and listen to music. The music changes by what I’m working on.
Sometimes, a line from a song inspires an entire scene or even book.

Here I am speaking at the festival…

And here I am with friends and fellow authors, Jeffery McClanahan & Pam Cumbie

Last Saturday I visited a delightful group of writers in Tyler. It’s always fun to be around so many creative people. I remember when I had far more questions than answers and believed I’d make a million on my first book. The journey so far has had many highs and a few lows, but all in all I wouldn’t trade for the ride.

I’m finishing up the rewrite of the rewrite on REWRITING MONDAY due out on April 1, 2009. Each polishing makes it better but I think I must have jinxed it for rewriting because of the name. Maybe my next book should be Fast Writing Tuesday.

My editor made me laugh. When she read about a character introducing himself as Bob Earl she asked if Earl was the last name. No southerner would ever ask that.

*****Stars to Natalie Bright for her story on the history of the yoyo in http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org. She’s a great speaker and a gifted writer. Check out her site at http://www.nataliebright.com.

This week is the Tri-State Fair in the Panhandle of Texas. Just saying the words makes me want a foot long corn dog. I love the fair, not for the rides or the food but for the people. It’s fun to find a corner and watch all the people go by.

I’m in the process of finding characters. It’s not easy. Once in a while a character just walks up to me fully developed. When that happens I feel more like I’m just meeting them, not creating them. Some characters reveal themselves slow like people do in real life. I love it when I start out writing someone I think I’m going to hate or at least not like, then all of a sudden he does something I didn’t expect and I end up caring about him.

O’Henry once said something about if a writer is ever blocked he should change his environment. For me, I’d like to just stay in the same environment to get the story on paper.

It is currently raining. I love the dark and gloomy days. I can sit down at my desk with no thoughts of having to weed the garden, or carry out the trash. Instead I can throw myself into the world I’m writing about. Days like this were made for writing.
Summer has quickly come to a close.

Just last week I was down in Palo Duro Canyon celebrating Labor Day with my family. It was hot, sticky, sunny, bright and beautiful. The views were (as always) spectacular and the colors were amazing!
It is easy to see why so many artists choose to make it a subject.

The New York Times even ran an article on it recently. I highly suggest taking a trip to see Palo Duro Canyon if you ever get a chance. It is one of my favorite places to be.
In fact, here is a pic I snapped while with the family. I thought it was an interesting view…

Today marks the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. My thoughts are with all who were touched by the tragedy. Our world will never be the same…
My heart also goes out to all those who are in Hurricane Ike’s path. I hope beyond hope that this current threat will leave little mark on those in his way… my prayers are with you.

With school starting I always think it is fall and this year the weather seems to be falling in with my plan.

I’ve finished the book due out in April and am very happy with the flow of it. Now the hard part is putting together the next idea. I have a plan, it’s coming alive in my head, but making it real on paper in outline form isn’t easy.
People, who don’t write or know a writer, always think writing is easy. It’s hard work, I admit, but now and then when I get it right, it’s great fun.

As I finish up the rewrites on REWRITING MONDAY I prepare to open my office at West Texas A&M.

I love being Writer in Residence
Every fall it’s great seeing the freshmen move into the dorms.
My office is on the second floor of the library. I have a floor to celing window…
A campus, even a small one, is like a little city…
By September, I’ll be writing at my office on Sage’s story.

~ Jodi

On a sad note, my mother-in-law passed away on 8-8-08. She was a sweet lady who loved her family. She would have gotten a kick out the date of her passing into heaven since she was born on 2-2-22. We’ll all miss her dearly…