J.A. Pitts

Merry Christmas

There are a few things in my life I’m very grateful for: family, friends, good work, health, well-being. These I understand and are within my realm of reality.

There is something new this year, that I’m extremely thankful for, that’s somewhat new. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and have dreamed about seeing my name on a book in the local bookstores. Over the years, the bookstores have changed, but the dream has lived on. I walk the aisles of each of them, touching the artifacts, the colorful spines of the books I’ve always loved, and dream of the day my name will sit alongside so many wonderful story tellers. That time is drawing near, thankfully, and I’m still amazed.

Black Blade Blues will hit the shelves on April 27th, 2010. They are calling it a May launch, but every day sooner is good news to me. I’ve worked hard for this. Practiced my craft, honed my skills, studied and networked. I’ve done all the work needed to get a good enough manuscript in front of a paying editor and decades of dreaming is finally coming true.

I wrapped the second book in this series Christas eve. I completed the first draft on Thanksgiving day, but needed to read it, fix the glaring errors, polish it for my first readers. Now I wait for them to get back to me, to let me know if my new paper child, the third book I’ve completed, and the second in this series, is as good as I think it is.

Funny thing is, I’m not one to believe the words are good enough yet, but apparently I’m a very harsh critique of my own work. Of course, talking with all my writing friends, this is not a rare phenomenom. Many of us are hard on ourselves, on our words. But there comes a time when you have to let them out into the world, to fly as they can, while you turn to the next piece.

So today, my thoughts turn from HONEYED WORDS, to the next book in the series: HEARTH & HOME.

Beginning this one is surreal, as I’ve not turned in the last to my wonderful editor, but I have words burning in me to get down. I’ll start outlining, taking notes, figuring things out while my mind changes gears. Who knows what will happen. It’s not due for over a year, but when the words are rich and frothy, it’s hard not to let them flow.

I hope you and yours are having a wonderful holiday season. I’m off to take down a few notes and visit with my family some more.

Peace

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