Photographer Credit: Shaun C Williams
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Winnie the Pooh
This will be my final TKZ post, my fine friends. It’s been nearly ten years that I’ve had the good fortune to be invited as a contributor. You might think all those years would make it an easy decision to step down, but the years made it harder to decide to move on.
I started writing in 2003, sold in auction in 2006 with my first 3 books released in 2008 and beyond. Even with the experience I have (on paper) from then until now, I still feel like the mesmerized kid who sneaked under the big tent at the circus, afraid someone will find me & toss me out. I’m a sponge for the information presented here every day–posted by each author contributor as well as the helpful comments made by our followers. That’s YOU. I’ve learned a great deal from our TKZ family of subscribers & followers. Thank you.
It’s clear how dedicated TKZers are about the passion we share when reading the comments to our posts. As a writing community, we take great care in nurturing the burgeoning talents of the many anonymous submitters who request feedback on their first pages, for example. Or we read a post & feel free to contribute our comments to develop the topic with our personal thoughts because we feel comfortable in doing it here. Our outspoken family is what I love the most and will never forget.
If there is anything I can wish for our followers, I wanted to share some parting words of encouragement.
1.) Be fearless. Write as if no one knows IT’S YOU. There’s an old saying that made a difference for me when I first started to write.
“Write like your parents are dead.”
Truer words were never spoken. I remember my first books when I pushed the line and wondered if readers will connect ME to what I wrote, especially my friends–or WORSE, my parents. My mother told the book store manager (at my first book signing) that she loved my book, except for the pages she had to duct tape together. True story.
Or the time I had my parents join me at a speech I gave to a large writers’ group in Austin, Texas. After reading a passage aloud, I gulped when I realized they were behind me, listening to a graphic excerpt. My mother told attendees afterwards that she would have to give me a time out.
I also heard from a fellow male author that his most mortifying experience came when his mother corrected his sex scene. OUCH!
2.) Push your skills with each new book. No one needs to know your limitations. If you keep pushing, you won’t have any.
3.) Write on the edge of your comfort zone. Try anything that intimidates you. Otherwise how will you ever overcome & achieve? With every new book, I picked a new plot method that stretched me. If another author claimed to know all the “rules” and told me what I shouldn’t do, that became my new goal.
The one genre I thought I would never write, I took a stab at with THE CURSE SHE WORE when I wrote historical fiction. It took a lot of research and the help of friends like the lovely and talented TKZ’s Clare Langley-Hawthorne to give me the courage to try it. One less thing to intimidate me. (TKZ’s Joe Hartlaub helped me with the setting of New Orleans and I will forever be grateful.)
4.) Pay your good fortune forward. Our writing community is very generous in helping other writers. We see that here at TKZ or we have probably all benefited by a helping hand from other authors in our circles. Do the same for others. You will receive far more from giving than receiving.
5.) Never forget who got you to the dance. Most times it is family who endure the challenges of living with an author. I definitely had the support of family, but I sold because one bestselling author stuck her neck out for me. The story is on my website at this LINK & I have never forgotten her kindness. She changed my life forever and helped me realize a lifelong dream. There are no words to thank someone for that. In fact, after I sent her flowers and gushed, she told me to simply ‘pay it forward.’ So there are no words – JUST DO.
My years of involvement with TKZ was one way I chose to spread her generosity and DO in the spirit of paying kindnesses forward. But I received far more than you’ll ever know. Thank you, TKZers! I won’t forget you.
***
Good friends never say goodbye. They simply say ‘See you soon.’
Jordan, It’s been a real pleasure.
All the best!
Thank you. Happy writing!
Aloha! You’ll be missed. Don’t you dare be a stranger.
Aloha! I like that. I need a vacation from my quarantine. I will NOT be a stranger.
Jordan,
I met you through TKZ when I was sneaking under the circus tent flap. You not only didn’t throw me out, you stuck your neck out for me. The kindness, faith, and generosity you showed me lifted me to a higher level in my career than I ever thought I’d reach. I’m writing this with a lump in my throat. My cherished friend and mentor, you’ll be missed more than you know.
I second Terry’s admonition–don’t you dare be a stranger.
Awwww. Thanks, Debbie. You know how I feel about your writing. I’m honored that you would call me a mentor. You have my email and number. Call or write any time. xxoo
Jordan, thanks for your contribution to TKZ lo these many years. Write well and prosper…and do join in the comments from time to time!
I’m so glad we finally met in San Antonio last year, over a fun breakfast at MiTierra’s with Colleen Coble. You ARE the Killzone, my fine friend. Keep the faith. You’re amazing.
You have helped me so much in my career, there are no words to express how grateful I am for your friendship. You’re my rock when I’m freakin’ out and a constant source of guidance. Thank you for your generous and loving spirit. You’re amazing, my friend. TKZ won’t be the same without you. xoxo
You know how I feel about YOU and your books, Sue. You definitely have my number and know how to reach me. I love our DMs. Anytime, darlin.’ xxoo
Jordan,
Your posts have been insightful and informative, and filled with heart and passion for the craft of writing and mysteries. Thank you so much for the sharing you’ve done. We’re the very fortunate beneficiaries.
Hey Dale. Thanks so much for your kind words. Keep writing and having fun with it.
Thank you Jordan. I’ve only been here about three years, but I second everything everyone else has said. And your last pieces of advice are perfect!
I’ve seen your growth, AZ. I love how active you are at TKZ. Keep it up. You’re family.
Hey Jordan! Say it isn’t so…I feel like we barely got to know each other. I have always enjoyed your posts and comments, and have learned much from you. I feel like a two-year-old saying goodbye to Mama… 🙁
(Aside: the link above, to your website to read your story-it dropped me into JSB’s post from just the other day. You might want to check it out…)
I wish you well, my friend. I leave you with the author’s blessing (or curse, as you see fit):
May your imaginary friends hound you unmercifully until you bring them out into the light so we can all play with them. 🙂
Thanks for the link correction, Deb. Fixed it. WordPress gremlins. I feel like we were just getting to know each other too. Stay active here at TKZ. I can see that your insights have expanded. Good job.
On my website, I have a FOR WRITERS tab where I keep some of my favorite lessons learned through trial and error. Another way I pay it forward for other writers. When people would ask me, “How do you DO that?” I’d scratch my head and say, “Hell if I know.” But I would figure it out and write it down to put it into words. Any author’s writing comes from something innate to them. It’s fun to break it down. Another step in the process toward self-discovery. Have a good journey, my friend.
Jordan, thank you for your contribution of time and knowledge to TKZ. You will be missed.
Thanks, Joe. If it’s okay with you, I will live vicariously through you on the porch of your idyllic oasis in Florida. Save a glass of wine for me at sunset.
I object to you leaving.
Jordan, I wish you continued success and thank you for some of the most useful writing posts I have ever read.
I tried to object, too. Didn’t work. 🙁
Oh, wow. Thank you, TL. That really makes my day.
Thank you for the knowledge and wisdom you’ve shared with us over the years. It’s been a pleasure reading your posts. Though we’ve never met in person, I hope the blessings of good fortune and soft rains fall upon you.
Thank you, Jim. I feel like we know each other & would love to meet you-which is a weird thing to write. Ha! Keep the faith.
Jordan –
Has it really been ten years??? Wow. Talk about the proverbial time flying. I’m bummed. I always looked forward to your Thursday columns. I will miss them. Good luck, and I hope you put in a guest appearance from time to time.
I will miss you, CF. Yes, I will be popping in to visit. TKZ is family. Cyber hug in a post-pandemic world.
Jordan, thank you for giving us a few parting gems. The bit about the parents hit close to home. I love the story about the mother correcting her son’s sex scenes. Wow. I’m not sure how I’d respond to that! And the bit about your mother duct taping some of the pages? Could be my parents!
I chime in with the others. I’ll miss your posts, but look forward to reading some future comments. You have definitely paid it forward. Wishing you an abundance of good things as you move on.
Thank you, Cecilia. I can relate to your parent’s stories, I bet. My mom is my biggest supporter & I have loads of stories on both my parents. They always give me the chuckles. Thanks for the good wishes.
Ah, Jordan, you will be missed, that’s for sure. Though I don’t participate here on TKZ much or often, I’ve always enjoyed and learned from your first page critiques, and all the words of of wisdom you’ve shared over the years. Go with God, and may whatever you pursue from here prosper.
Thank you, Peg. That’s so good to hear. We don’t often know how our critiques are received but it’s great to hear your thoughts. That makes me very happy.
Joy in your journey forward!
Thanks, Marilynn. Live long & prosper.
So sorry to see you go, Jordan. I’ve learned so much from your posts and comments. And I’m going to hold you to the deal to write the titles for my books (comment on July 28, 2019 TKZ post). But if stepping down as a contributor means you’ll be writing more books–it’s hard to say we’re not all getting the good end of the deal.
Fair skies and smooth flights to you, Jordan. May the words flow like a smooth breeze.
Ha! I remember that promise, Suzanne. I won’t forget. Thanks for the smooth breeze. I feel it in Texas.
Oh I will miss your posts and your guidance, Jordan! Very sorry to see you go, but I hope it’s for the best.
May your future be kind and full of exactly the right words!
Thank you, Cyn. Very kind. I wish you the best.
We are more for knowing your words
We are less in your absence
But your words remain
Thank you, Brian. Perfect.
Jordan, I’m sorry to see you go. I have loved your contributions to TKZ and I’ve learned much from you. Thank you.
Many blessings in your continued writing career and hope to “see” you often on TKZ.
Hey there, Kay. Thanks for the bon voyage. Very appreciated.
Thank you for all your fantastic contributions and best wishes!
Bon chance, BK. Thank you.
So sorry to see you go, Jordan! Your articles and insights have always made me pause and think. Thank you!
I’ll echo the sentiment– please don’t be a stranger.
Thank you, Mollie.
“I’ll be BACH.” Terminator
Thank you!
My pleasure, Jeffrey.
Chiming in late-is here but you will be sorely missed Jordan:(((((
I am reading The Cure She Wore and loving it – such a great book!
Hope to see you when you’re next in Colorado!
Hey Clare. I can’t believe we missed each other in Colorado in February. Next time. I’m glad you’re enjoying my book. From you, that means a lot. Thank you.
Jordan, you are a beautiful person and a wonderful writer. You will truly be missed, but I hope you’ll continue to comment on the posts here as time allows.
Thanks, Joanne. I’ll be around. Take care.
Jordan,
I discovered you when you published your first book. I read about your success story I believe from Writer’s Digest magazine. I went straight to the bookstore and bought your book. And then every book after. When I discovered TKZ, I was excited to discover you were one of the contributors. It has been a joy to learn from you and in a way get to know you on a personal level through this blog. You have been and still are an inspiration to me. Thank you for the wonderful lessons. Wishing you continued success. You will be missed!
Thanks, Darlene. I had no idea but you really made my day. Keep writing, my friend.
I lurk more than I post and dropping out of lurkdom to say thank you and you’ll be missed. So sorry to see you go, Jordan. Thank you for sharing your journey and your wisdom with us.
Hey there, Robin. Thanks for de-lurking. It’s been fun. Happy writing.
I’m also sad to see you go. I will also add that as a novice I have learned so much from your advice and you have definitely paid it forward to aspiring authors. I wish you only the very best and look for your comments when you drop by.
Hey there, my friend. Thank you so much. Hang in there & have fun, Rebecca.
Sorry to see you leave TKZ. I always looked forward to your posts. Missed yesterday’s notification–head down in non-writerly things, but just noticed this and had to send you my best wishes and hopes you’ll drop by once in a while. There’s only one of you and we all cherish you.
Oh, wow, Dan. You’ve really touched me. Thank you.
Best of luck with your future projects, Jordan. You’ve been a real inspiration on TKZ and I will miss your posts very much. Thank you for your generosity and wise words.
Thank you, Linda. Keep the faith.