Most writers have moments when they would have like to be J.D. Salinger, holed up in the New Hampshire woods. For me, this usually comes halfway through a lackluster book signing at a chain store, where somebody has just come up to you and asked, “Can you tell me where to find the gardening books?”

But by holing up and refusing to publish, J.D. Salinger missed a lot. Now, I know, he was stalked by fans fixated on Holden Caulfield, making the trek to Cornish and having to be sent packing by J.D.’s protective locals. But still, just in the past couple of days I’ve had delightful exchanges with readers. This is one of the rewards of the writing trade that you don’t anticipate when you start out.

Kerma wrote to give me her reaction to PORT CITY SHAKEDOWN, and she apologized for taking so long to report in. She’s a feisty woman who has lived lived on a boat in Portland Harbor, had a very tough home life, knows the streets of Portland where Brandon Blake meets his friends and enemies.

“All in all I would look forward to another Brandon/Mia book, but, my heart is still with Jack, who by his nature barrels headlong into life without much regard to personal consequences in order to rescue the less fortunates of this world; guess I have always been like that in my life too, sometimes to a fault.”

I wrote back. Kerma replied. We’ll meet up again at a book signing next time around.

Mike, a reader  and longtime correspondent from D.C. ,wrote with a plot suggestion, complete with research and writing schedule. It’s a good idea so I’m not going to give it away here. Mike and I think in the same ways about these books. He’s a perceptive and careful reader. He’s an attorney, which cost the book business a good editor. We were discussing Roxanne and her future (I’m working on toughening her up) and Mike wrote: Roxanne becoming “harder” is a good move.  A “soft social worker” does not last.  They physically harm themselves (ulcers at the least, psycological problems at the most) when unable to save everybody from everything.  A close friend fell victim in this way.”

I could go on with more from Kerma and Mike, and other readers who weigh in on the books, the characters. These readers, most of whom I’ve never met, are insightful, surprising, good company. Writing can be a lonely craft and your notes are a good reminder that it doesn’t take place in a vacuum. So keep the comments coming. Sometimes they make my day. I may be having a J.D. Salinger moment but it soon will pass.

A new year, new books (both headed for stores and taking shape on the page). Check out my New Year’s thoughts and those of other mystery authors, courtesy of my friends at Murder*by*4. And I wish you good health, good reads, good times. All the best.

Thoughts as 2009 comes to a close:

Brandon Blake in 09, Jack McMorrow and friends in 2010. About to start writing a new Blake, some good outside projects underway. It never gets old as long as there still are surprises, moments to go into the notebook.

The big guy in front of me in the bank today, 6-5, 280, built like a slow-moving tractor, knock-kneed, giant work boots and a hand  that looked like it had been whittled out of a chunk of oak. Looked like something you’d tie a horse to if you didn’t want it to wander off.

But his voice, soft and polite: “I’d like it all in twenties, if you can.”

More for the notebook: a guy down the road intercepted en route to what was reported as a mission to kill. Twelve-gauge behind the drivers seat. Loaded. Two buddies in the car, said they didn’t want to have any part of “this.” Beyond that, nobody talking.

A night in December, snowing hard by the lake. A loon’s call cuts through the storm.  Two days later, the lake froze over and the loon was gone.

Full moon driving up the coast this week. Tidal marshes piled with mosaics of ice, shining blue as sapphires.

A woman on a deserted stretch of the interstate. Car abandoned in a snowstorm. Footprints cross the median strip. Stop. She hasn’t been seen in three weeks. I can’t get her out of my head. Where is she? Why has she disappeared? Who is she? The article in the paper said she used “an alias.” Marla Moon. With Marla on my mind, into the new year I go.