The End is the Beginning

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WhispersOfWarningCover

Jessie: In New Hampshire, where she is sorry to say the leaves are starting to color up.

Today is the launch of my sixth book. To be honest, I am still not sure how I got here. It really does seem like just yesterday that I was sitting at the breakfast bar in my kitchen with tears streaming down my face, staring at the words “The End” typed on my laptop computer screen. But it wasn’t yesterday, it was sometime in January of 2008 and the book in question was my first one, Live Free or Die. And it wasn’t really the end. In fact, it was the beginning.

I hadn’t truly understood how much writing mattered to me until I burst into tears as I realised I was not going to be one of those people who had always wanted to write a book. I had become someone who had gone ahead and done so. I still cannot believe I wrote that one and haven’t quite believed my eyes whenever I’ve seen the words “The End” in front of me all the times that followed.

Since then, more books have reached the end and more bouts of weepiness have ensued. Every book has been a pleasure in its own way, including this second Change of Fortune mystery. I hope many of you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. But even more, I hope each of you will find a satisfying ending of your own that turns out to be a delightful new beginning as well!

Readers,  have you ever reached an end that was a beginning? In order to celebrate the release of Whispers of Warning I will give away a copy to one commenter! 

 

 

Published by Jessie Crockett

Jessie Crockett wears a lot of hats, both literally and literarily. As Jessie Crockett she is the Daphne Award winning author of Live Free or Die and the nationally bestselling Sugar Grove series. As Jessica Ellicott she has received starred reivews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal for her historical mystery Murder in an English Village. As Jessica Estevao she writes the Agatha Award nominated Change of Fortune Mysteries. She loves the beach, fountain pens, Mini Coopers and throwing parties. She lives in northern New England where she obsessively knits wool socks and enthusiastically speaks Portuguese with a shocking disregard for the rules of grammar.

52 Thoughts

  1. So many congratulations, Jessie! I cannot wait to read it – will be picking up my copy at Jabberwocky later today.

    I quit my day job four and a half years ago. It was a hard decision, in a way, because I had a great salary, I worked with words, and I was among smart people, had flexible hours, and could wear casual clothes. BUT…I really wanted to write fiction, not technical manuals while eking out hours to write stories around the edges. So I left the job, and now write three novels a year. And I’m so glad I did!

  2. Congratulations on the launch of your sixth book!

    When my only child grew up and left home to be on her own (ironically, I think I see more of her now than when she lived at home), we became empty-nesters. However, it wasn’t long after that I began reading again and blogging, which has introduced me to many lovely fellow bloggers and talented authors. I’ve learned so much and have discovered some wonderful books and people.

  3. Congrats Jessie on making your dreams come true!
    As a retired librarian, I finally now have time to read and read I do as much as possible. We have a lovely public library and what they don’t get, I buy for them…gently reading first. In a way I am still a librarian, helping with collection development and this time on my own terms.

  6. When I stopped substitute teaching (exasperated with teenagers asking me for dates!), I never dreamed that I would have so much fun volunteering at senior centers with those my own age and older.

  7. I had the very same experience when I wrote my first book, Jessie. It was nonfiction, but that book, and all the relationships created because of it, made so much of a difference in my life. It took me all over the United States, and eventually to Europe, as well as making me a confident public speaker. I traveled for fifteen years, giving talks, lectures, and classes around the country.

    However, when I wrote the last sentence, all I knew was that I’d done, finally achieved a goal I’d had for more than 35 years, to write a book. It’s a heady feeling!

  8. Congratulations to Ms. Estevao on the release of her latest book, Whispers of Warning. My ending was when I gave up my job as a clerk in the Domestic Relations department to be a stay at home mom and raise two children. I never regretted my move since later on my daughter came to me and told me how some of her classmates were jealous that she had a mom who could volunteer her time to help out in the school with projects.

  9. December 1, 2013 was the end of my son Patrick’s life and certainly the end of my life as I knew it. I struggled to understand this new existence and exactly how my beliefs stood up under my devastation. I floundered to simply catch my breath for the first year.
    Now in year 4, I see so very many mercies that have held me up, placed me on my feet and spurred me on to unknown pastures. I have met some amazingly resilient people that have inspired me and allowed me to dare to hope that I would one day smile again without guilt.
    I am so blessed..truly. Now, I can reach down and lift other moms up that are newer on this journey. There nothing better than that!

  10. Happy Book Launch Day for Whispers of Warning with its beautiful cover! I enjoyed your story of how writing “The End” became a beginning for you! My current ending was sending our only child to college for Freshman year in August. Now I’m looking forward to all sorts of new beginnings, with her, with my husband and with the new experience of being empty nesters ~

  11. Congratulations! And what a beautiful post. I am so touched by the comments as well. I’m in a transition time…not necessarily a beginning or ending. I am taking a break from writing fiction and following my heart, which led to nonfiction writing, working with senior citizens, volunteering with hospice, and more.

  12. So glad typing “The End” that first time wasn’t the end of your writing career. Congrats on the new book, it’s great! (I already have my copy, so please don’t enter me in the drawing.)

  13. My end and beginning was quitting college after 2 years. I was too young, didn’t know what I wanted, and took 3 years off (working and taking courses here and there) to stabilize myself. That led to my 31-year career as a librarian – so what was an ending (and a fierce battle with parents) led to the beginning of a fine career path for me. I’d love to read your new book! Thank you.

  14. Three weeks ago our home in Houston Texas flooded due to hurricane Harvey. It was the end of our normal life, as well as our inherited vintage furniture, 150 year old family quilts, our walls and just about everything from 4ft down. And almost all my shoes! Hopefully the rebuild will be completed by the new year. A new beginning indeed.

  15. For me it would have to be my son’s wedding. I remember feeling such a loss of my little boy, only to find a wonderful daughter in-law and soon 2 beautiful granddaughters (one now in her second year of college).

  16. Congrats Jessie. So many beautiful beginnings from so many heartfelt endings. Joy filled messages!

  17. A divorce 45 years ago ended a disastrous marriage, and opened the way for a new beginning with a new man. After 44 years I still know I have found the love of my life.

    Jessie, I am so eager to read your new book. I can truly say that Whispers Beyond the Veil is the best cozy I have ever read!

  18. After college, I moved across the country for a new job in a place I had only visited briefly once & where I didn’t know anyone. The end of complacent comfort & the beginning of a new adventure.

  21. For me an ending with a close friend who had unrealistic expectations of a friendship turned into space in my life to find an even better friend. Congratulations on the new book!

  23. When my husband died 28 months ago, our 35 years of marriage was over. It was the end of a life I loved. My life continues alone. A new beginning which I can say is a terrible adjustment. Most married couples never think about being alone but it happens to all of us, sad to say. Not all endings and beginnings are good.

  25. Congrats on the release of your new book! The cover is beautiful! Yes, I reached an end that was a beginning when I sold my first cozy that will come out in 2018. I cried too!

  26. I had a career as a Curator in historical museums and I loved it and I planned on retiring from it…but due to an accident I ended up needing time off and so I began writing. I love entering a world of my own characters …I haven’t felt this creative since I was seven and used to go through stone walls and become a French princess who wore a ruby necklace. I always liked red…The Story you have written sounds wonderful…
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

  29. I retired a mates years ago—and now i’m discovering the whole unexampled earth of computers. No, not all endings number into practiced beginnings.

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