Hello all! I hope everyone is continuing to stay safe and healthy during these difficult times (which just seem to keep getting harder, right?). If you're new to my blog, welcome and I hope you'll like what you read. If you've been here before, thank you for coming back.
I started this blog to share my stories and the journey to becoming a published author ...hopefully, as that is the goal. I've finished the first in a series of cozy mysteries and am working on book #2. The journey so far has been exciting, challenging, and educational. It has pushed me to do things I never imagined doing -like creating a website and starting a blog!
This journey has also forced me to realize something about myself that I never knew. I am not as patient as I thought I was! People have always said, "Oh, you're a teacher. You must have the patience of a saint." No, I've learned I really don't. I've chosen to travel the road of traditional publication as opposed to self- publication; and that road I chose is long. It's full of traffic jams that I have to sit patiently and wait through. It's chock full of potholes that I must swerve to avoid. And at the moment, I feel like I'm following one of those slow-moving farm vehicles, because I've been waiting months to hear from a couple of agents that are currently considering my manuscript for representation. My fingers have been crossed for so long, I'm starting to lose all feeling in them. If you all wouldn't mind crossing yours, I'd really appreciate it.
The one thing that has gotten me through the traffic jams and around the potholes are my fabulous group of friends. They've all read, critiqued, and proofread my book. They tell me they love it, and I hope that's the truth (although their opinions may be a bit biased). One of my friends I've known since the first day of kindergarten back in 1969 at Flossie Wiley School. She has been by my side now for 50 years with no end in sight. She's the one that tells it like it is and never pulls any punches. I can always count on her to give it to me straight, when I start whining and complaining about this whole writing process. "Put on your big girl panties and keep writing" is what she'd tell me, so I do.
Another of my best friends I met across a fence through a clothesline. We were next door neighbors and would talk for hours at our fence, while she hung and/or folded laundry. Sometimes, our husbands had to come looking for us in the wee hours of the night. We'd lost all track of time just talking and laughing. I'm pretty sure the rest of neighbors hated us, but we didn't care. We've now been friends for over 30 years, and while we are no longer neighbors; she is still always there for me. She's my logical, thoughtful friend that always knows just the right thing to say. And her advice, spot on!
One more bestie I met through work. She came into my life at the perfect time just as I was switching schools. We immediately clicked because of our identical teaching styles and our outrageous personalities. We knew right away we were a match, and we began a team-teaching partnership that's lasted thirty years. She's my personal cheerleader- she builds me up when I'm down and sings my praises to the rafters. She knows how to make me laugh and when to let me cry. She is also the best amateur proofreader around. When she says put a comma, I put a comma!
The friendship among women is a central theme in my books as the main character, Jillian, has her circle of amazing gal pals. They laugh with her, cry with her, work with her, and support her in everything she does; including putting herself in danger to solve murders! So to my Becca, Lydia, and Trixie - I could not do this without you ladies, and I don't just mean the book or this blog. I mean this crazy thing called life. I don't know what I did to deserve your friendship, but I know that I've been truly blessed.
No time for a teaser today, so I promise you a really juicy one next time. Please feel free to leave me a comment, subscribe to my website, or share my blog with others. Stay safe and be sure to tell your friends how much they mean to you.
Until next time,
Jodi