Jodi Thomas is a proud fifth generation Texan, a reason why her books are all set in the state. She has her degree in Family Studies, with her original background in Marriage and Family counseling. In 2002, she was honored by Texas Tech University as a Distinguished Alumni. Her first novel, Beneath the Texas Sky, was published in 1988 and won the National Press Women’s Novel of the Year award.
Since then, Thomas has written many books, multiples of which have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Best Sellers lists. She has won the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA award four times and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2006 after her third win. Her latest novel, Just Down the Road, was number 15 on the New York Times Best Seller list. Thomas is a Writer in Residence at West Texas A & M University. When she isn’t writing, she and her husband enjoy traveling.
What inspire you to write a book?
I always write a book about the people I know and meet. Sometimes it something a person says. I love the way one person can change another for the better.
Do you write full time? if yes, is it tiring to write day in day out?
I am a writer. That’s what I do, but I need to be around people. Over the thirty years I’ve made my living writing I’m always finding other things to do.
I’ve worked part-time in Texas biggest museum. I’ve taught writing classes. I volunteered as a crisis counselorI founded the West Texas A&M Writing Academy. I’ve traveled visiting places I’d like to write about. Check out youtube: Jodi Thomas Walking the land.
I’ve been A&M Writer in Residence for 14 years and my office was always open to new writers I given talks all over the USA and a few times in England.And I never get tired of writing. I’m stepping into another world. Often I think I live in two world. The real one and the one in my head. And, to me, they are both real.
Which of the book that the story plot touches you the most and
the hardest for you to let go?
In TWISTED CREEK I wrote a grandmother character who was going into alzheimers. I wrote my mother in the character. She lived with us as she went through alzheimers. If I read that book today I’d probably still see her.
Do you read other author’s book specifically from the same industry as you?
I do read, sometimes a book a day, when I’m not writing on a book. Since I’m writing two books and a novella a year that doesn’t leave much time.
Which part of the writing process that you find it hardest to go
thru i.e. from writing to the published book?
In writing, Spelling is hard. Sometimes I think I’m not a writer, I’m a rewriter.But for most writer’s it’s selling your book to a publishing house. It took me five years to finally see my name in print. I studied writing, went to every conference or class I could, talked to writers, and every night I wrote, and rewrote, and rewrote.
“Being a writer is a busy life where I meet a great many interesting people. Some are real and others live just in my mind. I’ve been greatly blessed to walk in two worlds and to have people around me who don’t always understand me, but accept me anyway.”
Find more about the Author
Link to Review : Dinner on Primrose Hill
My Sanctuary 