9.11.16 - Sunday Smatterings

Morning, loves. It's a hard day. It's hard to believe it's been fifteen years since the horrible attacks against our country, our way of life, our people and cities. I think that we continue on, living, loving, and learning, is the very best revenge. We lost so much that day, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge the brave men and women who continue to give their lives to keep us safe. Thank you for your service.

This is a good place for me to mention a book I read last week. Daniel Silva, who is truly the finest thriller writer we have, released his tour de force thriller THE BLACK WIDOW. It is a thrill ride, yes, but it is also an education in what's happened in the world since 9/11, and what's happening (and not happening) to combat the threats we face from those who want to kill us. Read it. Trust me. It's brilliant, probably Silva's best ever. 
 

Now onto the links:

Oh, you brilliant Italians: "The Italian government is giving €500 on every 18-year-old's birthday." This is an initiative I can get behind. 

Ann Patchett has a habit of speaking truth, but this article hits really close to home: "if writers are to survive, we must take responsibility for ourselves and our industry." It's very true letting your career happen to you is a recipe for disaster. More about her latest book, COMMONWEALTH, writing about family, and tending an indie bookstore here.

"Dear Colleague, I hope you're well!" Face it—we've all been guilty of writing this. Instead of opening with nondescript pleasantries, let's write better, more sincere greetings in our emails. But let's not give up all the niceties, okay?

Budding writers, artisans, and people of the world: this article on hiring a lawyer for contract negotiations is business gold from Kris Rusch. Read it, bookmark it, live it. 

 

And closer to home:

If you love reading paperbacks, then perk up, buttercup: THE END GAME paperback went on sale this week!!!! 

Season 2 (!) of A WORD ON WORDS begins with my lovely co-host, Mary Laura Philpott, and Nashville author Ed Tarkington. Check out their interview (complete with original songs written for the book by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Will Hoge!).

That's it from me, loves. Here's to cooler weather, cinnamon-scented treats, and lots of love. And one last thought:

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one."
—Elbert Hubbard

xoxo,
J.T.

9.4.16 - Sunday Smatterings

"It's not who you think you are that holds you back,
it's who you think you're not."
~Anonymous

I open today with a quote that feels very apropos, considering. I finished my 18th novel this week. TEAR ME APART is my second standalone novel. I started it entirely by accident, sitting in a Parisian café, and went back to Paris to write parts of it. All the while I was writing it, a voice in the back of my head kept telling me I couldn't do it. I second-guessed character decisions, plot devices, threads. It wasn't until I went back and reread some of my heroes that I remembered the golden rule, and I was able to truly settle in:

"There are no rules except those you create, page by page."
~Stuart Woods

I was holding myself back because I'd convinced myself I wasn't a standalone writer. Consider that particular block crushed. : )

Now, on to the links!

The Guardian has this gem of a headline: Antlers Hunter S Thompson stole from Hemingway's home returned to family. It's about time.

Speaking of Hemingway, I bought this book this week. He wrote large parts of it in Venice, at a small table in the corner of Harry's Bar. When I did my Hemingway footsteps trip last year, I spent a lot of time at Harry's.

Ever wonder what a chef reads? Wonder no more!

David Berry has been cast as 'Lord John Grey' in OUTLANDER!!!  To which I reply... A: AWESOME! B: What a polite character description of LJG! I can't wait to meet him on screen.

Lifehacker is doing a great series called "Will it Sous Vide?"

Once again, Facebook shows its algorithms are invasive and frightening.

But to cheer you up from that, I give you, Quilted Northern: Rustic Weave, which made us giggle all week long.

Start remembering your bathroom experiences again with our new handcrafted toilet paper. Inspired by the makers of yesterday and today.

Closer to home:

It's been a relatively quiet week. Randy and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary, we're in a hurricane as I write this. It happened on our first honeymoon, our 11th, and now out 21st. It's an every decade thing for us. 

The newsletter went out, so if you didn't get it, check your spam folder! And if you want to sign up, you'll get a free ebook! What a deal...

Blessed week ahead to you, chickens. May your lives be hurricane free.

XO,
JT

8.28.16 - Sunday Smatterings

Hello, lovelies!

How did your week go? I'm back in Florida, enjoying the beach and taking a wee break to celebrate my 21/24 anniversary with my love. Man, how time flies!

I am this close to finishing TEAR ME APART. Amy is about to tear me apart because she wants to read it so badly (see what I did there?), and I'm hoping her enthusiasm passes on to you. I'll keep you posted on my progress! You'll probably see some champagne emojis 🍾🍾🍾 flying around when I'm done. Shouldn't be too much longer now, I hope I finish before Bouchercon!

Anyway, enough rambling...
 

Here's what happened on the Internets this week:

It's the beginning of a brand-new school year. I know you've got ambition and grand plans. Here are some tools from Freedom to help make this the best school year ever. 

Speaking of productivity, did you know that for each interruption you incur, it takes 24 minutes to get you back on track? Yup. Get the scoop on when interruption is helpful, when it's not, and how you can do your best work.

But! With all that said, summer isn't over yet, y'all. For your Labor Day libations, consider making Frosé. The video above shows you how!

And closer to home:

We've gone international! 🌎 How fun is this. Over the summer, my team worked with a business incubator in Nashville and met the brilliant Anuradha Bajpai. Woodpie is an organization she started, and I did an interview with them. So much fun!

Giveaway alert: you can win a copy of THE END GAME paperback—or a $35 gift card to Tattered Cover Book Store! 

That's it from me! Enjoy this last "official week" of summer, eat some popsicles, and we'll talk again soon.

xoxo,
J.T.

8.22.16 - Get ready for THE END GAME paperback's arrival 9.6.16 with a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE END GAME paperback's arrival is just around the corner, which means we need to celebrate!

Three lucky winners will each receive one copy of the book, and one grand prize winner will receive a $35 gift card to Tattered Cover bookstore. 

Enter using the Rafflecopter form above. This contest is open to entrants ages 18+ living in the U.S. and Canada. Good luck!

Want to pre-order the book (it's a fab price, y'all)? Click here.

8.21.16 - Sunday Smatterings

Hello, my darlings!

As you may have noticed, I’ve been slightly more active on the socials this week. Part of that was a three-day family road trip to the Black Hills. Mount Rushmore was incredible, y’all, so inspiring, and I loved Deadwood, and simply driving through what looked like the Colorado of my youth. I had to post some pictures and share it with you.

Also, I’m within a few weeks of finishing a draft of the new book, and I will admit, it’s been nice to poke my nose out of my cave and say hello to folks. I had no phone service during the trip, which sounds like a blessing, but being forced away without choosing to do so annoyed me greatly. Contrarian that I am, I don’t like dictums.

So. As of yesterday afternoon, I’m at 88,000 words, or about 380 pages, and things are popping. There is a book in here somewhere. I’m not seeing light at the end of the tunnel, but there is a sense of momentum, of the train hurtling forward, that gives me great hope. I’d love to finish by the end of the month, at the latest by Bouchercon. Wish me luck.

Now, on to the links! 

Here's what happened on the Internets this week:

Every weekend while I was growing up, without fail, my parents and I watched The McLaughlin Group. I've always been a current events/political junkie, and this show truly was the core of my interests. I'm so sorry it's over, but John did it will style and class to the very end. RIP, John McLaughlin. Bye-bye.

For something a bit more lighthearted, you need these 10 Amelia Bedelia-isms. 😂 How many people do you know like this in real life?

The Guardian has collected their top 10 books that all writers need to read. How many have you found your way through? Because I'll tell you the truth, there's a lot on this list I haven't read.

And closer to home:

I'm always looking for ways to be more productive. Automating my life with workflows has been revolutionary for my business and personal lives. I wrote this post for RT Book Reviews' Author Portal explaining how I did it. 

This week, The Wine Vixen discovered The Wine Show. And my, oh my. Come for the wine, stay for the accents—you'll notice the show stars the incomparable Matthew Rhys of The Americans and Matthew Goode, which will excite Downton Abbey fans. If you have a Hulu account, we highly suggest you go watch it—fun and informative!

That's it for us. Take some time to appreciate what an amazing country we live in by setting off into the wilderness sometimes soon. See some of our treasures. Admire the ingenuity and dedication and forbearance it took to tame this gorgeous land. And congratulations to all our incredible Olympians! I am so humbled by their dedication and passion. Go USA!

xoxo,
J.T.