The Rushford Times - A weekly newsletter from Jodi Taylor
Sent on Wednesdays to paid subscribers and Fridays to free subscribers
This week we have:
Jodi writing about getting back to painting
NEW! Writing Competition - write a short play to be performed at Jodiworld
Jodi Taylor answers - Do you plan character arcs in advance or do they evolve as you write?
Win a SIGNED hardback and one-of-a-kind signed print when you pre-order A Family Affair by Jodi Taylor
Bad Moon is a Kindle 99p/99c deal for June
JUNE - GUESS THE BOOK COMPETITION
Short Story of the Month: A Perfect Storm
There’s plenty to read this week and you can see everything on the blog too. CLICK HERE for the blog.
Nothing much from me this week – I promised myself that when I returned from France, and provided I’d made good progress on all four short stories, and started to get Well That Could Have Gone Better in some sort of order, and started notes for the storyline for the next Smallhope and Pennyroyal book then – THEN – I’d grant myself a little downtime. Do some reading, perhaps. I do sometimes feel the need to put the words back in again. They pour out of me and I have to replenish the supply. I have a magnificent TBR pile that, if anything, is taller than I am. Although that’s not difficult.
And perhaps take up painting again. Mine is a very small flat, and all the windows are in the wrong place to give me decent light, but I will not be deterred. I’ve been promising myself this for the last three or four years, and now I’m going to do it. I particularly want to experiment with all the new art stuff. Normally, I work in soft pastels but there’s a new metallic range out there. How does that work? How can a crumbly medium be transformed into hard metallic shades? Can’t wait to find out.
And painting sticks! Watercolour is not my favourite medium, but these look worth trying. And some decent charcoal. And acrylic markers in stunningly brilliant colours. And sketching pads with different tints and textures. I love working on black – it really makes the pastels sing.
I haven’t bothered with conventional paints. Oil paints smell, and I wouldn’t want to inconvenience my neighbours, and acrylic paints are forever. Drop some on the carpet and there’s a giant purple blodge until the end of time. It doesn’t come out. So I’ve gone for the newer stuff. See how it performs. So far, all I’ve done is make a mess.
Picking up painting again after all these years is NOT like riding a bike. You do forget how to do it. Or, more likely, such small talent as I possess just got fed up with being ignored for the last decade and pushed off for good.
To counter that I’ve enrolled with an old art tutor of mine who does online courses. I should perhaps make it clear that it’s not the tutor that’s old – although the pupil is – but that I used to attend her classes when I lived in Northallerton. I’ve signed up for her very excellent pastels course and I’m greatly looking forward to getting started. The plan is to spend the next seven days not doing very much at all. Starting with tomorrow, when my brother and I are off to visit a very beautiful garden and country house. I shall of course be taking my camera to photo anything picturesque. Which reminds me – is there anyone out there who knows anything about horseboxes? The very big sophisticated ones. If so, could we have a chat sometime please? I have questions.
Where was I? Ah yes. Tomorrow’s visit. Partly for relaxation, partly for material to paint and partly so he can rehearse what to do with my ashes after I’ve gone. We’re all a bit absent-minded in my family but he’s worse than most, so every few months we hold a What To Do With My Beloved Sister’s Ashes drill. Basically, he meanders in a casual manner to the pre-selected spot, sets down the urn, gazes meditatively into the middle distance, kicks over the urn (I have to keep reminding him to remove the lid first) and scuffs the ashes into the grass. Job done – off to the pub for a congratulatory drink. Although not with me, of course. We’ve been at this for some time now and he shows no signs of getting it right. With our family luck I’ll end up on the municipal tip and he’ll go to prison.
Anyway, meandering back to the point – a week off. Yes, we all know I’ll do some writing but there will also be enormous amounts of cheese – you would not believe the bad habits I’ve brought back with me. Thank you, France! – and wine. And chocolate.
Oh – and I nearly forgot – a lovely bunch of flowers arrived. Much to the mystification of the postman, who knows that if I want flowers, then I usually have to buy my own. It turns out I’ve sold two million copies of my books since joining Headline in 2019, and they sent me flowers to mark the occasion. Thank you, Headline, and thank you, everyone who’s ever bought one of my books. There is a place in author heaven for you.
Enjoy your week – I’m definitely going to enjoy mine.
Jodi x
New Writing Competition! Write a short play to be performed at Jodiworld
This is your chance to put words into the mouths of two figures from history — and add a little Jodi Taylor chaos to the mix.
The Brief
Your play must feature two historical figures meeting for afternoon tea. What they talk about, argue about, or discover they have in common is entirely up to you.
The play must be set within or make use of one or more of Jodi Taylor’s fictional universes.
Entries may be comic, dramatic, heartfelt, chaotic, or any combination thereof — but should feel at home within the spirit of Jodi Taylor’s worlds.
Win a SIGNED hardback and one-of-a-kind signed print when you pre-order A Family Affair by Jodi Taylor
Everyone’s favourite time-travelling bounty hunters are back in A Family Affair, the twisty and hilarious new Smallhope & Pennyroyal adventure!
We are offering one lucky fan the chance to win a hardback copy of A Family Affair and a one-of-a-kind A4 art print, both signed by Jodi Taylor herself.
To enter the prize draw, simply pre-order your copy of A Family Affair in any format, from any UK retailer of your choice, and upload your proof of purchase via the link below. You’ll be automatically entered. Good luck!
Bad Moon is a Kindle 99p/99c deal for June
CLICK HERE for UK CLICK HERE for USA
JUNE - GUESS THE AUDIO BOOK COMPETITION
Guess the book and character speaking for your chance to win a signed copy of Out of Time
Put your knowledge of Jodi’s books to the test with our audio clip competition. Listen carefully to a short extract and see if you can identify the book and the character speaking for a chance to win a signed copy of Out of Time.
Audiobooks are hugely popular among Jodi Taylor fans, bringing her stories to life through distinctive voices, character-driven performances, and immersive narration. For many readers, audiobooks offer the perfect way to enjoy a favourite series while commuting, walking, or relaxing. They make stories more accessible, flexible, and engaging than ever.
Tune in, trust your ears, and see if you can name the book and the characters behind the voices.
A Perfect Storm - available for Kindle and is included in The Long and Short of It anthology
Max and her colleagues are facing an unusual challenge—one that doesn’t require them to jump through time but is no less chaotic. Thanks to the world’s most misguided publicity campaign, a film producer is on his way to St Mary’s to avail himself of their services. Equally eager to secure a contract for his next three films, Dr Bairstow instructs Max to ensure all goes well. Or else.
Also involved in the drama is David Sands’ latest book – a time travel story – which bears just a teeny tiny resemblance to St Mary’s and which Max is to suppress. Or else.
Unfortunately, nothing at St Mary’s ever goes to plan, and Max and the team soon find themselves at the centre of a series of disasters entirely of their own making.
From Professor Rapson and his megaphone antics to exploding rocks, legendary pub crawls, superheroes and the world’s largest bacon butty, chaos reigns. The appearance of Angus, one-third of a particularly messy love triangle, only adds fuel to the fire, ensuring that the week at St Mary’s is definitely one for the record books. Just not in a good way.
Jodi Taylor says…
‘Oh yes. Calvin Cutter – bless him. His one-sided telephone call to Marge, his PA, as she’s trying to have her baby in peace was so much fun to write.’
No jumps but “some people are perfectly capable of endangering life and limb by staying quietly at home” (Authors’s note).
Jodi, you have already taken us to the end of time and I don't remember any acrylic paint, you may have to write that again...if you take time off from painting. Meanwhile enjoy your Downtime Abbey (wherever it is). As an accountant but in Canada, you could claim the costs as research for a book. Not sure if your brother would qualify. I agree with Vicki about the Seascape and I love the cloud colours. A big sophisticated home for Thomas sound nice but will he stay in it?
The Seascape really is lovely! You know most people say oh I paint and you look at them and you say, " oh how nice, I love your use of yellow" which fits the old if you can't say something nice.. rule. But yours really is lovely. And the ashes conversation please tell me you're not dying just preparing! I hate losing my favorite authors.