Jessie: Trying to sneak in a few dips in the sea while racing towards a looming deadline!
I am so surprised to be able to say this, but today is the twelfth anniversary of my first book, Live Free or Die, being released. Since that time I’ve released twelve more novels and have written two others. With each and every one, I’ve learned something new. So, I thought I would share the book cover and a memory associated with each of the dozen published novels that followed the first one so many years ago!
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.
View all posts by Jessie Crockett
40 Thoughts
Twelve years ago I was living in MA, my parents were still alive. My husband was still working and not bugging me every day. I only thing that is still the same in my life is the constant pain that I have from being in a car accident, I was a passenger.
Loading...
That sounds like a lot! Here’s hoping that the next twelve years bring you joy!
Loading...
Congratulations, Jessie! Twelve years ago I was trying to polish my first novel – not under contract, not under deadline – and I learned how to make that possible.
Loading...
Things really are different, aren’t they?
Loading...
Congratulations! Wow, that’s a lot of writing!! I like how each book marks a passage in your life. Twelve years ago, I was still working a stressful job, had been living with my (soon-to-be) husband for a year, my cats were alive, my dad was alive my daughter was pregnant with my first grandchild, my son was graduating from college, life was wicked busy but fun. Geez, that’s crazy that was 12 years ago now that I’m remembering!!
Loading...
What a lot of changes in your life! It does sound like it was wicked busy!
Loading...
Twelve years ago I had just lost my mother, was recovering from my third joint replacement and beginning to prepare for retirement. It was a very transitional time in my life!
Loading...
That sounds like a time of enormous transition! I hope your retirement has proved pleasurable!
Loading...
Twelve years ago, hubby and I were full time caregivers to my Mom who had Alzheimer. I learned that loving someone is giving them all you got – even when you get nothing back in return. I learned that the hard work of tending to a loved ones needs isn’t work at all. I learned to cherish the small things – like a fleeting moment of recognition or the very rare words that came out as I love you. Hard – yes. Were there times I didn’t think I could go on – yes. At times did my heart break into very small pieces – yes. Did it take it’s toll on my physically as well as mentally – yes. Would I do it again – YES!
As long as we put one foot in front of the other, strive to improve and learn from our past, we are making progress and living the best life possible.
Your twelve years have given a multitude of readings many thousands of hours enjoyment. Thank you! Keep more coming.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Loading...
That is such a loving tribute to your mum, Kay! I couldn’t agree more about learning and making progress as the best way to live!
Loading...
Great covers, Jessie. And great lessons. I’ve learned a few of the same.
I’ve also learned it’s possible to write a novel while organizing your daughter’s graduation from college.
Loading...
That is a good one!
Loading...
I love this, Jessie! Twelve years ago our daughter had just left for college. I was still working on my gemology series, pitching it at Crime Bake, and getting rejected. Little did I know that four years later my first book would come out!
Loading...
It is so interesting to look back at how close we all were to getting published back then. It felt like it was still so far off just before the dream came true!
Loading...
Congratulations on the anniversary. I read that first book and loved it. I have strong New England roots including having lived in 4 out of 6 of those states! In twelve years, I have learned that I am a very busy people person, working or retired. I have moved once after multiple past times prior, personal upheaval at times is a normal state of events, and writing is not solitude!
Your perspective notes on each of those covers is wonderful as advice and affirmations. Keep up the good work! We love reading your books.
Loading...
Aww, thanks so much, Doris! Sometimes personal upheaval is my normal too!
Loading...
My first book was published 12 years ago, too! In fact, without knowing it, we had our launch parties on the same day. Pat Remick, then the President of Sisters in Crime New England, raced from one to the other. What else? I had just become an editor of Best New England Crime Stories. We were living in Somerville, MA. Both my kids lived in NYC. Both my parents were still alive, though my dad’s memory issues were more and more present. The dog was still alive and I had just finished with corporate life forever. it was a time of many transitions, but a productive time.
Loading...
Barb, I thought of you when I was writing this post for that very reason! And, our latest release was the same day too!
Loading...
Love all the covers and I will have to check out the maple syrup mysteries! New to me 🙂
Loading...
Thanks for your interest in my older books!
Loading...
Congratulations, Jessie! Twelve years ago, I was still a year away from beginning my own writing journey. Since then, I’ve completed 15 novels with a bunch of other incomplete projects. My big takeaway? Write for the love and enjoyment of it. This is a hard gig. If you’re doing it for fame or to get rich, you’ll be disappointed. If you’re not having fun, what’s the point?
Loading...
Congrats on all your own novels! I totally agree about the necessary attitude! My guiding principle is to follow the fun!
Loading...
Congrats on 12 novels!
12 years ago, I was still in my first post college job (that I had for 15 years) and still living from roommate to roommate. Now I have several jobs behind me and I’ve been living with no roommate for about 5 years now (I think it’s 5).
Loading...
Those are some big changes! And it can be hard to remember the exact amount of time as it passes, can’t it? FIve years seems to go in an instant at some points in time!
Loading...
Congratulations on 12 years Jessie! Twelve years ago I was helping our daughter and our son in law by taking care of our then 4yr. old grandaughter and our then 2yr old grandson, our daughter and our son in law are both RN’s and they both worked the nightshift, so we would keep our grandchildren here at night , after they got out from working their night shift, they would come in the morning to see the kiddos, they would go back home and sleep and then when they would get up they would come pick them up and eat dinner with them at their house, then before they went back to work the night shift, they would bring them back . When our grandaughter was in 1st grade our daughter and our son in law changed to the dayshift so then we only took care of our grandchildren for a little while , not overnight anymore. Our grandchildren our now both in HS, and wow, these years have gone by too fast. We really loved and enjoyed and were very happy to give them a hand with our grandchildren especially since I did not work at all, I loved taking care of them. Our son in law retired 3 years ago.
Loading...
You must have wonderful memories of your time together with them!
Loading...
Congrats on 12 years of successful (and great) writing. Shows a lot of perseverance.
Twelve years ago, I was still going to Peru annually, loving retirement (even tho’ I went back to work for a while, somewhat later), getting our home in the condition we wanted it – lots of wall painting and landscaping, and just being a lot younger and able to do more. However, I still do a great deal, travel within the US, have more friends. and am more relaxed about life in general. If I knew then what I know now, would I go back to twelve years ago. Nope. I enjoy life as it comes along.
Loading...
You are fortunate indeed!
Loading...
Congratulations on 12 years! As a new author, I appreciate all of your noted “possibles”.
Loading...
I am delighted to have shared something of value with a newer author! Good luck with your own learning experiences through writing!
Loading...
Congratulations on your 12th publication.
Twelve years ago my husband and I, with our little dog Anakin in tow, were in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The scenery was beautiful, Lake Superior was huge, the excursions were interesting and educational and the company couldn’t have been better. Having my two best guys with me in such a beautiful place was all I needed.
Loading...
What a delightful memory!
Loading...
Happy book anniversary! I am not sure what I was doing twelve years ago. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Loading...
Thanks so much!
Loading...
Congratulations on your books! Love all the book covers! Twelve years ago, I was 30! ACK! Where has the time gone!
Loading...
It does go quickly!
Loading...
Great post! Reminds me to stop procrastinating and get on with my own deadlines. Happy Anniversary and thanks for keepin’ on through the years, despite the distractions.
Loading...
Thanks, Patti! And good luck with your deadlines!
Loading...
Great post! Congrats on persevering despite whatever life threw at you.
12 years ago I had recently moved to a new state and started a new job after 14 years at my previous one. I was excited and scared and overwhelmed with all that change, with work, with my mom’s worsening dementia, and my husband’s and son’s health issues. Yet I still have fond memories of that time. I found peace in books (the Outlander series saved me) and gardening.
Twelve years ago I was living in MA, my parents were still alive. My husband was still working and not bugging me every day. I only thing that is still the same in my life is the constant pain that I have from being in a car accident, I was a passenger.
That sounds like a lot! Here’s hoping that the next twelve years bring you joy!
Congratulations, Jessie! Twelve years ago I was trying to polish my first novel – not under contract, not under deadline – and I learned how to make that possible.
Things really are different, aren’t they?
Congratulations! Wow, that’s a lot of writing!! I like how each book marks a passage in your life. Twelve years ago, I was still working a stressful job, had been living with my (soon-to-be) husband for a year, my cats were alive, my dad was alive my daughter was pregnant with my first grandchild, my son was graduating from college, life was wicked busy but fun. Geez, that’s crazy that was 12 years ago now that I’m remembering!!
What a lot of changes in your life! It does sound like it was wicked busy!
Twelve years ago I had just lost my mother, was recovering from my third joint replacement and beginning to prepare for retirement. It was a very transitional time in my life!
That sounds like a time of enormous transition! I hope your retirement has proved pleasurable!
Twelve years ago, hubby and I were full time caregivers to my Mom who had Alzheimer. I learned that loving someone is giving them all you got – even when you get nothing back in return. I learned that the hard work of tending to a loved ones needs isn’t work at all. I learned to cherish the small things – like a fleeting moment of recognition or the very rare words that came out as I love you. Hard – yes. Were there times I didn’t think I could go on – yes. At times did my heart break into very small pieces – yes. Did it take it’s toll on my physically as well as mentally – yes. Would I do it again – YES!
As long as we put one foot in front of the other, strive to improve and learn from our past, we are making progress and living the best life possible.
Your twelve years have given a multitude of readings many thousands of hours enjoyment. Thank you! Keep more coming.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
That is such a loving tribute to your mum, Kay! I couldn’t agree more about learning and making progress as the best way to live!
Great covers, Jessie. And great lessons. I’ve learned a few of the same.
I’ve also learned it’s possible to write a novel while organizing your daughter’s graduation from college.
That is a good one!
I love this, Jessie! Twelve years ago our daughter had just left for college. I was still working on my gemology series, pitching it at Crime Bake, and getting rejected. Little did I know that four years later my first book would come out!
It is so interesting to look back at how close we all were to getting published back then. It felt like it was still so far off just before the dream came true!
Congratulations on the anniversary. I read that first book and loved it. I have strong New England roots including having lived in 4 out of 6 of those states! In twelve years, I have learned that I am a very busy people person, working or retired. I have moved once after multiple past times prior, personal upheaval at times is a normal state of events, and writing is not solitude!
Your perspective notes on each of those covers is wonderful as advice and affirmations. Keep up the good work! We love reading your books.
Aww, thanks so much, Doris! Sometimes personal upheaval is my normal too!
My first book was published 12 years ago, too! In fact, without knowing it, we had our launch parties on the same day. Pat Remick, then the President of Sisters in Crime New England, raced from one to the other. What else? I had just become an editor of Best New England Crime Stories. We were living in Somerville, MA. Both my kids lived in NYC. Both my parents were still alive, though my dad’s memory issues were more and more present. The dog was still alive and I had just finished with corporate life forever. it was a time of many transitions, but a productive time.
Barb, I thought of you when I was writing this post for that very reason! And, our latest release was the same day too!
Love all the covers and I will have to check out the maple syrup mysteries! New to me 🙂
Thanks for your interest in my older books!
Congratulations, Jessie! Twelve years ago, I was still a year away from beginning my own writing journey. Since then, I’ve completed 15 novels with a bunch of other incomplete projects. My big takeaway? Write for the love and enjoyment of it. This is a hard gig. If you’re doing it for fame or to get rich, you’ll be disappointed. If you’re not having fun, what’s the point?
Congrats on all your own novels! I totally agree about the necessary attitude! My guiding principle is to follow the fun!
Congrats on 12 novels!
12 years ago, I was still in my first post college job (that I had for 15 years) and still living from roommate to roommate. Now I have several jobs behind me and I’ve been living with no roommate for about 5 years now (I think it’s 5).
Those are some big changes! And it can be hard to remember the exact amount of time as it passes, can’t it? FIve years seems to go in an instant at some points in time!
Congratulations on 12 years Jessie! Twelve years ago I was helping our daughter and our son in law by taking care of our then 4yr. old grandaughter and our then 2yr old grandson, our daughter and our son in law are both RN’s and they both worked the nightshift, so we would keep our grandchildren here at night , after they got out from working their night shift, they would come in the morning to see the kiddos, they would go back home and sleep and then when they would get up they would come pick them up and eat dinner with them at their house, then before they went back to work the night shift, they would bring them back . When our grandaughter was in 1st grade our daughter and our son in law changed to the dayshift so then we only took care of our grandchildren for a little while , not overnight anymore. Our grandchildren our now both in HS, and wow, these years have gone by too fast. We really loved and enjoyed and were very happy to give them a hand with our grandchildren especially since I did not work at all, I loved taking care of them. Our son in law retired 3 years ago.
You must have wonderful memories of your time together with them!
Congrats on 12 years of successful (and great) writing. Shows a lot of perseverance.
Twelve years ago, I was still going to Peru annually, loving retirement (even tho’ I went back to work for a while, somewhat later), getting our home in the condition we wanted it – lots of wall painting and landscaping, and just being a lot younger and able to do more. However, I still do a great deal, travel within the US, have more friends. and am more relaxed about life in general. If I knew then what I know now, would I go back to twelve years ago. Nope. I enjoy life as it comes along.
You are fortunate indeed!
Congratulations on 12 years! As a new author, I appreciate all of your noted “possibles”.
I am delighted to have shared something of value with a newer author! Good luck with your own learning experiences through writing!
Congratulations on your 12th publication.
Twelve years ago my husband and I, with our little dog Anakin in tow, were in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The scenery was beautiful, Lake Superior was huge, the excursions were interesting and educational and the company couldn’t have been better. Having my two best guys with me in such a beautiful place was all I needed.
What a delightful memory!
Happy book anniversary! I am not sure what I was doing twelve years ago. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Thanks so much!
Congratulations on your books! Love all the book covers! Twelve years ago, I was 30! ACK! Where has the time gone!
It does go quickly!
Great post! Reminds me to stop procrastinating and get on with my own deadlines. Happy Anniversary and thanks for keepin’ on through the years, despite the distractions.
Thanks, Patti! And good luck with your deadlines!
Great post! Congrats on persevering despite whatever life threw at you.
12 years ago I had recently moved to a new state and started a new job after 14 years at my previous one. I was excited and scared and overwhelmed with all that change, with work, with my mom’s worsening dementia, and my husband’s and son’s health issues. Yet I still have fond memories of that time. I found peace in books (the Outlander series saved me) and gardening.