Unfocused

On Sundays I like to force my wild mind into a more reflective mode, which is not always easy to do because, well, it’s wild. But I have a serious talk with it on Saturday night, and it finally agrees to settle down for Sunday and give me a break. I’m no fool, though, I know it's not giving in. I think it just gets exhausted from fretting and focusing on the wrong kinds of things all week that it, too, needs some rest.

So here it is Sunday and being that it’s nice and quiet inside my head, I have a chance to think about all the great things that surround me every day, things I sometimes forget to notice when I’m trying to get the print version of 44 perfect or attaining my daily word count goal (ha!). Things like an amazing family, one great giant lion cat, blue skies, warmer weather, juniper trees, a million shades of green in bloom, baby deer, kayaks on the river, hiking down a dusty trail in the afternoon sun.

I hope wherever you are, you’re having a great Sunday, too.

Jools

Seeing and Not Seeing....

There is some pretty darn exciting news here in Bend this week….Today, Pilot Butte Drive-In is opening a second branch on the westside!  A landmark in Bend since 1983, the restaurant makes amazing hamburgers, ultra-delicious breakfasts, and great shakes. But because it’s on the other side of town, I don’t get over that direction too often and don’t eat there as much as I would like to. That’s why the excitement…because I’m ALWAYS in the direction of the new location!

44 fans probably remember that Pilot Butte Burgers is mentioned in the book. It’s the place where Jesse and Abby stop for a quick bite after school.

When the fam and I lived on that side of town, we went to Pilot Butte Drive-In quite a lot. It was when we had first moved to Bend and lived on 27^th Street. If you’re not familiar with Bend, let me just mention that 27^th Street is humorously referred to by realtors as Highway 27. And they aren’t exaggerating. It’s one of the busiest streets here, four lanes across, with speed limits of 45 for most of the way. It’s a nice road to take if you’re driving, but not so nice if you’re trying to live.  

This last part, the part about living, came to me just a little late, about an hour after we signed all the papers and I held the key in my hand. Armed with teal and Santa Fe pink paint cans, I walked into our new home shocked at the constant traffic noise, which penetrated every single room, including all the bathrooms and closets (where I might have tried to hide for a moment of peace).

But the thing about that house, though, was it had the most incredible views. The view out our master bedroom window was absolutely breathtaking. Seven beautiful, amazing, inspiring snow-capped mountains stood in the distance out that window. 

I still remember dancing around that crazy house the first time we were inside, swimming in those glorious views. I heard absolutely nothing but the pounding of my heart in love. I didn’t hear the Safeway trucks speeding by, or the motorcycle club which loved that stretch of road, or the crazy high school students peeling out of school for lunch. All I could hear was the pristine and serene snowy mountains that I couldn’t stop staring at. Love, I suppose.

I guess there were a lot of lessons learned from the house on the highway. Or at least, I hope so. One of them was that sometimes you don’t see things, even when they’re right in front of you. This is a common theme, I’ve noticed, in my writing. And if you’ve read 44, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

So anyway, if you're in Bend, make sure to stop by Pilot Butte Drive-in, east or west side, for a delicious meal.

Hope you are having a great week!

Jools

Blog Tour Wrap-Up

Blog Tour DONE!!!!

Dear Readers,

Thank you so much for following on my Blog Tour!!! This was my first one, and I LOVED it!!! Thanks too to Belinda at The Bookish Snob for putting together a fantastic tour.

Thanks to these fabulous blogs that hosted my tour!

May 21 – Just Another Book Addict
May 22 – The Caffeinated Diva
May 23 – P.S. I Love Books
May 24 – The Bookish Snob
May 25 – Baffled Books
May 26 – Black Lagoon Reviews
May 27 – The Wormhole
May 28 - Christi the Teen Librarian
May 29 – A Chick Who Reads
May 30 – Reader Girls
May 31 – Alise On Life
June 1 – Jools Sinclair Official Website

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!  If you are interested in reading 44, please just email me at Joolssinclair@msn.com and I’ll give you a Smashwords coupon for a free book! Email me by June 3!

Also, one LUCKY winner will get an autographed copy of 44, a shot glass of Bend Oregon, and a I Love Bend bumper sticker! I’ll announce the winner soon!
THANKS AGAIN!

Jools

Barcelona Wins Champions League

Simply. The. Best.!!!

WOW!!! What a game!!! Thanks for a great season!

Jools

Around Town

I’ve been busy at work writing the sequel to 44, as well as getting ready for my first Blog Tour (Yaw, thanks Bels!!), so I haven’t posted here as much as I had planned. Plus, honestly, I’m kind of new to the blog world (at least the writing end of it) and sometimes I just sit at the computer not knowing what to say. I’m hoping for a big breakthrough here soon.

In the meantime, in the spirit of consistency, I’m going to do postings of photos from around town, just to give readers a sense of Bend. In 44, I wrote about Drake Park, Pilot Butte Drive-in, Thump Coffee, Mondo Pizza and the Deschutes Public Library. In the sequel, I’m excited to include Old Mill, Les Schwab Amphitheater, Pilot Butte, Jackson’s Corner, and the Tower Theater.

I really love this aspect of the series, having the setting take place in the place where I live. It doesn’t hurt either that I love living here in Bend!

Happy May and here’s hoping that the sun will come out soon!

Jools

Bliss

There’s nothing more intoxicating than being in the presence of someone who is happy. Happy people are full of light and it’s just plain fun to be around them.

I’ve recently stumbled across the huge book blogging community and am amazed how happy they are. They radiate an incredible passion for reading and reviewing books. They are a kind and friendly bunch, excited about finding good reads and sharing. And that’s pretty darn thrilling for writers.

I can see why Amanda Hocking says she loves book bloggers. It’s quite the difference from the years of slush pile attitudes that writers have had to endure over the years. It’s refreshing.

A well-known author was recently quoted as saying that the American public doesn’t read anymore. She based this on New York publishers reporting financial difficulties.

But she’s wrong. People haven’t given up reading. They just do it differently now. They’ve found indie authors, cheaper books, and e-readers. And they’ve discovered a bigger, better banquet.

Passionate readers have found a better way to follow their bliss.

Happy Easter!

Jools

A Walk on a Sunday Afternoon

Because I love living in Bend, it was easy to use the town as the setting for my second book, 44.

Last time I posted, I put up a picture of the footbridge that is in the opening scene of 44. A body is found in the river under it, caught up in branches and floating face down.

This particular bridge is one of my favorite places in all seasons. It’s a great place to play “Pooh Sticks” in the summer and in winter it’s fun to watch ducks slide on the ice when the river freezes over. There’s an amazing giant tree (it would be so great to insert the particulars here but I have no idea…) on one side that turns a stark yellow in the autumn. On the other side is Drake Park, full of life and fun and just a short ways from downtown. You can stand in the middle of the wooden bridge, stare at river and contemplate life, think good thoughts. Or figure stuff out. Or just be.

Anyway, I knew it was just perfect for a murder scene.

Awbrey Butte is also in my book and today I took a short walk up, camera ready for the incredible views of the Cascade Mountain Range that you usually are lucky to see. Seven mountain peaks, and always snow drenched during this time of year. Alas, however, today the cold spring clouds settled in and hid them.

Anyway, happy reading! Have a great week!

Jools