February 2022
September Release! Once again I get to tell you about a woman who…
The title of my fall release is Beneath the Bending Skies and the woman is Mollie Sheehan Ronan. There will be more about this story in the months ahead. For now, I hope to tweak your interest by telling you that it is set in Montana (with an important diversion to San Juan Capistrano, California).
Letitia Carson Legacy Project
February 9, 2022 Oregon State University’s Soap Creek beef ranch, north of Corvallis, in Benton County, Oregon, includes a site significant to the history of Oregon’s early Black residents. Letitia Carson, a formerly enslaved woman (and the character in Jane Fitzpatrick’s novel titled A Light in the Wilderness), came to Oregon in 1845 and was […]
January 2022
I think many of us will be taking deep breaths as we face another year of uncertainty. Deep breaths are so important. I first became aware of the power of breath in 1972 as part of my training in Clinical Social Work. I chose a unique internship working with patients at a regional burn center in the midwest.
December 2021
For Advent, that preparation time before Christmas, Jerry and I have participated in a Poetry and Prayer zoom devotional. A half an hour to hear poems, reflect, ask for prayers and pray for others and then hear a blessing. It’s been a calming, insightful way to approach Christmas this year. T
November 2021
One of the scenes in The Healing of Natalie Curtis that readers are talking about concerns Natalie and another white woman, a teacher, singing happy birthday to an Indian child not allowed to sing her own songs. Minus the prohibition on singing, this scene came right out of my own life.
Tina Fey’s Improvisation Rules for Writing
Say yes—to the idea, the work, the risk. Commit, speak with conviction, and trust the process. Writing isn’t about perfection; it’s about purpose, persistence, and discovering the next brave yes.
October 2021
October offers a variety of special “days” to celebrate. A favorite of mine is National Poetry Day (7th) along with World Teachers Day (Oct. 5th). World Ballet Day is the 19th and World Singing Day is the 21st. Those latter two carry special meaning related to The Healing of Natalie Curtis, my latest release.
Jane’s List of Helpful Writing Books
A curated list of enduring writing guides—craft, structure, voice, and faith—books I return to again and again, offering wisdom that still resonates for writers working today.
Jane and Craig Talk About Writing
On September 8, 2021 Jane was joined by Craig Johnson (best-selling author of the Longmire mystery novels) for a Zoom meeting to discuss how they develop a new storyline and the challenges they have faced to be a successful writer.
September 2021
People often ask if I have a favorite title and I answer with “the one I’m working on now” which is true. But The Healing of Natalie Curtis, out September 7, is a close second. It’s a story of the power of music and intention in a healing journey.