Thanks to Harpers Ferry!

Last night I drove to Harpers Ferry, WV to speak to the fabulous women (and a few brave men) of the Harpers Ferry Ward and Charles Town Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I've done more events like this than I can count over the last four years, but this was honestly one of my very favorite. They were so kind, so welcoming, so funny, so smart!

We talked about Christmas Jars, Wednesday Letters, where the books came from, and this crazy journey I've been on. They even got a sneak peek at the new novel, Recovering Charles, and asked some great questions.

So a big thanks to the gang that put it together, especially Amy and Heidi. It was worth every mile of the drive!

And yes, I'm the plumpish one in the middle between Amy (my right) and her twin sister, April (my left), who just happened to be visiting blustery Rexburg, ID. Thanks for coming all the way out to see me, April! ;-)

And yes, I found a few pounds during the last couple months that I intend to lose again, pronto!

We made it!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Have not slept since Wednesday night and I'm zonked.

My very favorite line of any book is the very last. It's a total thrill to write. What's the very last line of Recovering Charles?

"Alone."

See you when I wake up from hibernation.

8 hours? Can I get a recount?

Wow, so that's what an all-nighter feels like. A few quick notes on my last night at the HIE, Woodstock.

1. Someone, and I'm not naming names, dropped a gummy bear on the floor by the jacuzzi tub and I stepped on it early this morning. Not kidding. It frightened me and cost me 30 minutes of quality writing. I want that tacked on to my deadline this afternoon. Still not kidding.

(Yes, that's an actual photo of the room. No, gummi is not pictured. Yes, that's a tub in the kitchenette. Yes, much like you, I find that creepy.)

2. Even 7-11's in very small towns are scary at 1:30 in the morning. I walked to one (there's only one, it's Woodstock, hello) and was surprised to find I wasn't the only loser looking for some late-night action. (And by action I mean snack food and caffeine. Yes, I said it, caffeine. It's coursing through my veins like a testosterone in a 17-year-old version of myself. Just go with me on this.)

I met several people, including two employees, that looked like they could kill me with a stale Chocolate Zinger in one hand and a red coffee stirrer in the the other. Not kidding. It frightened me and cost me 30 minutes of quality writing. I want that tacked on to my deadline this afternoon. Still not kidding.

3. Some of the best writing thus far happened last night/this morning between the hours of 2-6. I laughed, I cried, I reread what I'd written and cried again because I saw how much editing it would need. The entire experience left me feeling very verklempt. Not kidding. It frightened me and cost me 30 minutes of...

Yikes. I've just wasted 12 minutes writing about how much time I lost last night. I've got 8 hours or so to wrap this thing up. It's going to be tight!

Note to my editor, EBS: I know you're reading this. Don't panic. This is going to be the best short story you've ever read!

34 hours to go, but who's counting?

I'm waaaaay behind schedule today. I awoke in my hotel room after a late night of writing with guilt because I had Idol Gives Back on the television in the background. (But not so guilty I didn't hoot and holler for Miley, mind you.)

Yesterday I'd promised my girls I'd sneak them into the hotel for the freebie breakfast and take them to school. So I raced home. (Yeah yeah, I know, that still sounds weird, raced home from a hotel room 1.5 miles from my front door.) They were eagerly awaiting me.

We drove back to the hotel, did a Mission Impossible entrance into the lobby and ate breakfast together. Laughs were had, cinnamon rolls were eaten, milk was spilled. Good times.

Then I dropped them off at school and returned to my home away-from-home for my last full day of writing.

Manuscript is due by email tomorrow by 7:00 PM, EST. And that, my friends, is why I picked a publisher out west. Every hour counts!

3 days to deadline and I seriously need a massage

I've never sat still for so long in my life. My neck, back and fannie are killing me!

Yesterday was productive, but in a different way. I did a fair amount of editing and fine tuning plot elements from Part I of the novel. I wish I'd moved forward more, but it's a better book now than 24 hours ago, and that's always the goal.

This morning at breakfast I was chatting with one of the employees who'd begun to wonder why I'd been in the hotel for three days but hadn't left to sightsee, go to a meeting, etc. I briefly explained why I was there and he said, "You're an author?"

What I actually said next: "Yes."

What I should have said next: No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

4 days to deadline. Where's Waldo?

I am so glad my parents didn't name me Waldo. Nothing against the Waldo's of the world, but I can't imagine the teasing. It was bad enough that my middle name was Fletcher and I hit adolescence during the raging popularity of the two Fletch! movies starring Chevy Chase. (not the bank, the actor)

With 4 days to go I've checked into a hotel about a mile from my house. Strange, I know. My family came and brought me dinner last night and the kids ran around the lobby while I ate a taco salad with my uber-patient wife.

I feel very good about what I've produced in the last 48 hours and I'm anxious to know what you all think. I expect to post a teaser sometime over the weekend.

A funny side note: I needed a snack late yesterday to get me through my last hour of writing at the end of a 16-hour day. So I bought a Snicker's bar (approved as a tasty treat by 4 out of 5 writers) and took it out of the package. Printed on the inside of the wrapper was this terrific quote:

Nougatocity (noun). A heightened yet fleeting state of accomplishment that makes you realize how unbelievably unmotivated you normally are.

Classic :)

Please tell me it's not Friday night!

OK, more like early Saturday morning. I'm taking a short break to check email and let all seven of my loyal fans know I'm still alive.

Only 6 days to go! (Actually 6.5 if you predict that I'll be writing until Friday afternoon when the manuscript must be delivered. I think they call that an "even money" bet.)

Perhaps one day I'll expain the reasons I'm pushing right up to the deadline for Recovering Charles. Suffice it to say, for now, that I've been under a ridiculous amount of stress with another matter. (Not writing related.)

I'm working hard to push those distractions from my mind and concentrate. (Not my strong suit, trust me.) Wait, was I saying something?

So a quick anecdote: I'm staying for a couple days at a hotel in Winchester, VA, about 40 miles from home. Believe it or not it's the only way to ensure peace and quiet. (Love those four kids!) I can really focus for hours-on-end in hotels. Several of my writer-friends do this from time-to-time.

Earlier today I took a quick break to hit the vending machines at the end of my hallway. As I walked back carrying $5 worth of totally healthy snacks, and generally feeling sorry for myself, one of the housekeepers said "hello" and asked me how I was. I said I was "surviving," one of my standard lines, and then returned the courtesy.

"And how are you?"

"Oh, OK, I just had to flip a mattress because someone wet the bed." She said it with the biggest, most sincere smile. I couldn't help but think she really loves her job. She must be grateful for it to have such a positive attitude.

After making a goofy looking face I wished her well and walked on.

"Hope your day gets better," she called out to me.

I returned to my room and felt about as worthless as the empty sugar I was about to ingest from a pack of gummy bears. Am I sufficiently grateful for my job?

Sometimes I forget how much the Lord has blessed me to do what I do. At every opportunity I've tried to submarine my own success and He has stepped in and said, "Not so fast, my friend, I am with you."

I have no idea why the Lord has blessed me in spite of so many shortcomings. But it's probably time I do a better job of recognizing his presence in my life and count my blessings.

One by one.

11 Days Until Deadline

Will I make it? AHHHHHHHH! Only if I learn to get by on less sleep and lock myself in a room. (padded, please)

Realizing how close I am to my "drop dead date" of April 11th, today my noggin (what's left of it) came up with some important questions:

1. Why don't writers have cheerleaders? Football players do, so do basketball, why not us? Think how much more I'd get accomplished, and how much better I'd feel about my career, if I had people cheering from the sidelines?

2. Why does a manuscript have to be turned in so stinkin' early? My deadline is FIVE months before it hits bookstores. Heavens to Betsy, in five months I could hire monks to handwrite the thing one-by-one on scrolls!

3. How did anyone ever write a book before computers and spell check? When I think of writing Recovering Charles on an old-fashioned typewriter and loading 400 sheets of paper, I get hives. (and not the good honey-producing kind)

All this begs the question, why aren't I writing right now?

Off I go! (shhh, don't tell my Editor or Agent you saw me here...)

Forgive me?

No, I haven't been hidden in a bunker under the White House. I've been traveling, writing, traveling, and traveling. Fortunately the traveling is now on hold for almost six weeks. Yahoo!

I'm crashing on a deadline for the new novel. I finally feel like I've rounded a corner and it's coming into picture. The last week or so has seen me writing 6-8 hours a day and tomorrow I'm headed off to a friend's cabin in WV to write non-stop for a couple days. Let's hope I don't get eaten by the bear I saw up there last fall...

And now for the best news of the last couple weeks. We have a cover for the new book! My agent, editor and I all love it. Most importantly, my wife approves :)

If you're interested in catching a future event, click here for my updated schedule.

And I'd love to hear what YOU think of the cover. Comment below!

Checking in from the road

And I thought the first part of 2008 would be LESS busy! So far this year I've been in nine airports: Dulles, San Francisco, Oakland, Atlanta, Reno, Phoenix, Salt Lake, Charlotte and New Orleans. And it's only February 11th! Oh, and we'll add one more this week, Indianapolis.

There's not much new to report. The events thus far have been fantastic. I've met the most amazing people! It's by far the most rewarding aspect of my life as a writer. Writing is just gravy, it's meeting and getting to know readers that really jazzes me.

The new book is coming along slowly but surely. I've conned my way into a later deadline (April) and I'm confident I can make it. Of course I said that last time and had to extend three times :)

Are you an eBayer? I've got a watch for sale right now that you might enjoy bidding on. Or at least reading the description.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170193203738

Two recent FoxNews appearances

So much for that New Year's resolution to post more frequently! I'm up to my eyeballs running PoliticalDerby.com and getting serious about my new book. (which, by the way, is due to my agent and editor on March 1, waahahahahahaha!)

In case you're interested, here are my two most recent FoxNews appearances:

Happy New Year and Annual Holiday Beards

Let's be honest, I'm sick as a dog on a cruise ship, so it could be a much happier holiday. But I'm heavily medicated and crossing my fingers I make it to midnight for the big smooch from my wife, if she'll give it to me that is...

Which leads me to the picture. Many of you have seen The Today Show video and asked about the new beard. There's a story here... (isn't there always?)

About 10 years ago Kodi and I had a summit. A meeting of the minds. A fierce negotiation. We agreed that I would remain clean shaven throughout the year. Not that I have to shave every day, but as a general rule from Jan-Nov I keep myself presentable.

But sometime around Thanksgiving, depending on my public commitments, I begin to grow what we affectionately refer to as the Annual Holiday Beard. This year I wasn't able to turn the facial follicles loose until the 10th or 11th of December. So it's not as
Grizzly Adams-ish as it could be.

There you have it. Sometime in the next day or two we'll bid farewell again for another year. But we'll always have pictures :)

Bring on your Jar Stories

Some fantastic stories are coming in from folks blessed by the Christmas Jars tradition. Did you give away a jar? Did you receive one? Please drop me a note so we can share your inspirational story. Here are a few of my favorites so far:

After a run of bad luck (water heater exploding, muffler puncturing a hole, and a loss of a job) it seemed like anything that financially could go wrong in the last month did. We knew we would be okay, but it would be tight to make it to the end of the month.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, my dad who was sick, was sleeping on the couch, our son was asleep and my mom, husband and I were sitting talking about future dreams for our home. When my dad woke up, we all went into the living room. He let the dog out and commented about a bag sitting by the door. He picked it up and gave it to my husband saying it felt like rocks.

My husband and I opened the bag and inside was the book Christmas Jars and a jar full of money. We were in disbelief. Who would set money outside of our door and why? Yes, things are tight right now, but we knew we could make it.

We counted the money and there was 83 dollars and some change. What a surprise. We immediately put a sign outside our door saying THANK YOU! The gift will go on!

We plan on putting some money aside each month after we get things settled, so next Christmas we can pass on the gift. It reassured us that people really do care and do not necessarily want recognition for their good deeds. Thank you to our Christmas Angel!!!

-Heidi in SD

_____

This year I pulled into my driveway and my manager pulled up behind me and she said that somebody left us this gift at the office and that she was to see that we recieve it. She told me she peeked in the bag and there was a book in there. She said she has read the book before that it was a wonderful story and I should read it.

So I took the bag and went inside. I opened it and the book christmas jars was in there with a starbucks frappicino jar full of money, and an envelope. Inside the envelope was a $50 certificate for our local grocery store. In the jar was just under $20.

We are so touched that somebody did this for us. It was such a thoughtful gift from a secret santa. Although it remains annoymous who did this for our family, it is greatly appreciated and was very much needed. We have had such a tough year. Besides the things that our kids made for us in school this is our only gift, and by far one of the greatest I have ever recieved. So just in case you get a chance to read this....

Thank you with all of our heart!

Next year we will find a family in need and pass on the tradition!

-Steve and Teresa in CA

Merry Christmas!

What a terrific Christmas! We awoke early (of course!) and celebrated our first Christmas in Woodstock. The kids were giddy (of course!) and enjoyed opening presents and eating an unhealthy amount of sugar. Mom and Dad ate our share too (of course!). One sad note: Jadi developed a fever mid-morning and spent much of the day on the couch under the blanket, but fortunately she's been a trooper and her mood is as cheery as ever.

Today was enjoyable, but the real fun happened yesterday afternoon when we gave away our second Christmas Jar of the year. We split ours into two this year and had a friend deliver the first a few days ago. We decided to give away our second jar to a stranger in person. We know others that have done it this way (including Hope Jensen in the book) but we'd never tried it ourselves. It was a wonderful experience!

We drove to a nearby truck stop and slowly drove around the parking lot looking for a solo trucker. We spotted a middle-aged man fueling his rig and all six of us unloaded from our car and walked toward him. The kids were so nervous! Oakli carried the jar and Jadi carried a gift bag containing Christmas Jars on CD.

The exchange was simple: We told him we had something to share with him, explained we'd been filling it all year, and wished him a very Merry Christmas. He took the jar and bag without hesitation, but there was definitely a stunned looked on his face. He smiled and we all fought tears. We knew immediately we'd been led to the right recipient.

We shook his hand and walked away. He called out a grateful "Merry Christmas!" and off we went, back home and feeling so incredibly grateful for the miracle of the Christmas jar tradition.

Another year, another unforgettable experience. We'll probably never see that man again, but neither Kodi nor I, nor the kids, will ever forget his face and the look of gratitude. That's the magical power of the jar.

Merry Christmas from the Wrights!

We have our first jar sighting of the year!

I just stumbled across this post on someone's blog:

http://big-dogdaddy.blogspot.com/2007/12/good-news.html

There is nothing I love more than real life stories of folks giving and receiving jars. Congrats to this family for receiving a jar, and special thanks to whatever family saw a need and acted. I'm sure all will be blessed for this early Christmas miracle.

EXCERPT FROM THEIR BLOG:

So the Lord does work in mysterious ways. We were sitting here this morning and we got a knock on the door. There ways a lady their that Laura didn't know holding a jar and a book. The book is Christmas Jars, and in the jar a houndred dollar bill and a bunch of change, in all it adds up to about 180.00. Now Damians parents will have a christmas too, and Damians will be even nicer. And will have gas money to drive to logan and springvill for the holidays. This whole exprience this week has been very humbling.

We have a winner in the Wednesday Letters drawing (at last!)

After some technical glitches we finally have conducted the Wednesday Letters drawing. We had thousands of entries and one grand prize winner will have dinner with a guest and yours truly in their hometown. (I really hope they live in Hawaii!)

Watch the drawing as it happened in this fun clip:

Lesson Learned

I received this email and, after feeling like I'd been punched in the stomach, decided I'd share it. So many of you have had wonderful things to say about Christmas Jars that I thought it might be fun to see that there's always another opinion. And no matter how hard I try, I'll never be able to please everyone. I think there's a valuable lesson to be learned here.

I've offered Karen her money back. No word on whether she'll accept, but I hope she does. I hate the thought that she feels cheated.

So for all you aspiring writers out there, thicken that skin! You'll need it.

Name: 'Karen Kimball'
E-mail: 'XXXXX'
WhoContact: 'author'
Comments: 'The neighborhood book club, started four years ago, read this for our November book, to be discussed in December - the unspoken rule is that a short book be chosen during the holidays as every one is so busy. The book will do well, as demonstrated by the NYTimes list - particularly in these times when there is a desperate desire to fuel the capitalist fire - if Mr. Wright really believed in the premise of the story, he would not be concerned with his placement on the NYTimes list. He would not be contributing to the Hollywood money factory by turning it into a movie. He would not be blogging, have multiple websites, etc. He would be giving away the book for free.

Finally - Mr. Wright would do well to find a different editor. The book is riddled with editing mistakes - simple misuse of the plural possessive, references in the book which contradict previously described situations, improper use of subordinate clauses, etc.

I did appreciate that the book was short - the sooner to be free of the trite message.

Does Mr. Wright believe in Chrismas Jars? He should live a more simple lifestyle and really change the world with his actions - above and beyond books that read like made-for-television movies.'

Is it really December?

I woke up, opened my laptop, and had to shake my head a couple times when I saw November 30th on my screen. Where did November go??? For that matter, where did October and September go?

So anyone who's ever heard me speak has probably heard me tell the story of Sherri Durkin. She's a wonderful woman from Tennessee who miraculously received a Christmas Jar last year. It was an answer to her prayers, and it's one of the neatest stories I've heard since Christmas Jars came out over two years ago.

Well now Sherri is telling the story herself! She's featured in the latest issue of First Magazine, available on newsstands everywhere. (Wal-Mart is a good bet to have lots on the rack.) It's the December 24 issue and it has Martina McBride on the cover. Please pick it and learn more about this fantastic woman and her Christmas Jar miracle.

Also, as if there are not enough dorky pictures of me floating around out there, check out this one in today's Deseret News. Fortunately the story is good, even if the pic is scary :)

I am a bad, bad blogger

I've been home from my last jaunt (Nashville) for a week and I'm just now finding time to post. Sigh. I'll try harder to check in now that my travel schedule has slowed.

So how about some Black Friday good news? I learned this afternoon that after two long years on the market, Christmas Jars (paperback edition) has finally hit the New York Times Bestseller list. We'll appear at #24 in next week's edition. It's a humbling, exciting, totally unexpected surprise. It's unusual for a book to hit the list for the first time in its third year. But we'll take it and thank our lucky stars above. (And Someone else above, to be more accurate.)

It's certainly nice to be home. I'm finalizing details for my next book (Recovering Charles) and getting ready to begin writing the novel in earnest. Right now it's a simple two-page synopsis. By April 1st it better be just a TAD longer, or I'm in a boat load of trouble :)

More later...

You are now free to move about the country

Well that sure was a nice break! After two weeks at home I'm off to the airport today for another trip out west. This time I'll be presenting my "Choose to Serve" assembly to middle-schoolers. It's a fun way to inspire kids to be less selfish and start thinking about others at an early age. (something I wasn't very good at as a kid) I also have a few signings, firesides and a fund raiser.

It's been terrific being home, though I'm not sure it's been fair calling it a break. I've been teaching an early-morning class, answering 763 emails every day, and working with my agent on our new deal. (I did sign up for all this craziness, right?)

Grandma is in town for a month or so and that's a big help for Kodi and the kids. I always hate leaving the gang for these trips, but having another set of adult hands sure makes it easier.

So we're off! I'll try to check in from the road.