November 4, 2025 – We’ve got the scoop on Caprock alumna and former AHS teacher-turned-famous author Jodi Thomas. 2025 has, indeed, been one for the books for Jodi, whose book Ransom Canyon became a popular Netflix Series.

Q: We’re fans! Do you have an all-time favorite character from one of your books?

A: That's a tough question. I’ve certainly cried quite a few times that I had to kill off a character I really came to love. But if I had to narrow it down to two, it would be Staten Kirkland from Ransom Canyon and Tyler Wright from my Harmony series. Staten is, of course, the strong and reliable hero and head of his family's ranch, and in many ways, Tyler is the opposite. He is the town's funeral director who can’t ever remember anyone’s name. He is quiet and bumbling but lovable. I like to think about what it would be like for the two of them to meet. I don’t know if they’d like each other. Maybe I’ll write that story someday.

Q: What does a typical weekend look like for you?

I don’t know if I have those! I’ve been trying to slow down a bit lately, but that hasn’t really worked out yet. I still love to travel and go to writing events and conferences as much as possible. There is something about being around other writers that always puts me at ease. Writers are an odd bunch. (And I mean that with love!) We need to be around each other to prove to each other that we’re not as strange as people think.

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

I’ve always loved the saying “Fall down seven times; get up eight.” I think that is so important in writing and life. Sometimes you are going to fall. Sometimes someone will push you, and sometimes you’ll trip yourself. It doesn’t matter. Get back up and keep moving forward.

Q: You’re a famous author, and everyone’s a critic. How do you handle criticism?

It can be tough. Writing is an intensely personal thing to do. So when someone doesn’t like what you write, it can really hurt. It's like someone calling your baby ugly. I really try to ignore most of it. As long as I’m happy with a story or a character, and my readers like what I’ve created, then I can let any criticism roll right off my back. You kind of have to learn to be tough and proud of yourself and what you write.

Q: You once famously said, “Creativity is a river, not a bucket. The more you use it, the more you have.” Is that still your approach to the writing process, or has it evolved over the years?

It is absolutely still my approach. That is why I always try to make time for beginning writers. I’ve found that every time I help a writer who is just starting out I end up learning just as much from them as they do from me. The quickest way for your inspiration to dry up is for you to hide all your ideas away and hoard them to yourself. That is why I’ve always found so much joy in critique groups. You need people you trust to bounce ideas off.