>> Ted: NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, A NEW REPORT SHOWS ARIZONA WITH THE HIGHEST ADJUSTED DEATH RATE IN THE COUNTRY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

A LOCAL SCHOOL IS HONORED WITH A NATIONAL EDUCATION AWARD.

AND BEST-SELLING MYSTERY WRITER J.

A. JANCE JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT HER LATEST NOVEL.

THAT'S NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION RELEASED A NEW PLAN TO SHORE UP LAKES MEAD AND POWELL FROM REACHING CRITICALLY LOWER LEVELS.

ONE CALLS FOR CUTS IF LOWER BASIN STATES TO BE DICTATED BY WATER RIGHTS TO IMPACT ARIZONA HARDER USING AN ACROSS THE BOARD PERCENTAGE AND THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TO REACH CONSENSUS IN REVISING AN AGREEMENT TO DEAL WITH WATER SHORTAGES THROUGH 2026.

>>> GOVERNOR HOBBS SIGNED EIGHT BILLS AND THE VETOES WITH FIREARM SILENCES AND A VETO TO STRENGTHEN FENTANYL AND THEY ASKED FOR A MORE FOCUSED BILL AND VETOES A BILL TO KEEP TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS FROM RECOOPING ATTORNEY'S FEES EVEN IF THEY WON A PARENT'S RIGHT'S LAWSUIT.

GOVERNOR HOBBS HAS VETOED 43 BILLS.

>>> THERE ARE CLAIMS THAT VARIOUS STATE OFFICIALS WERE ALL TAKING BRIBES FROM A DRUG CARTEL.

THEY SAID HARRIS LIED THAT SHE WASN'T AWARE WHAT THE GUESTS WOULD SAID AND WOULD HIDE WHAT THE GUESTS WOULD SAY AND SHE FACES CENSURE TO EXPULSION.

>> MARK LAMB IS RUNNING FOR THE SEAT AND THE FIRST REPUBLICAN TO ENTER THE RACE AND CONGRESSMAN RUBENRUBEN GALLEGO HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RACE.

>>> AND GLOWING GLASS AND DUST IS ALL THAT'S LEFT OF A STAR THAT EXPLODED INTO A SUPERNOVA AND THE YOUNGEST KNOWN SUPERNOVA IN OUR GALAXY AND STUDIED BY GROUND AND SPACE TELESCOPES AND THE DETAILS OF A STELLAR EXPLOSION AND THIS STRETCHES FOR TEN LIGHT YEARS.

>>> A NEW REPORT SHOWS THAT ARIZONA EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST ADJUSTED DEATH RATE IN THE U.S. DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC AND THE STATE'S DEATH RATE WAS THE SAME AS SOME OF THE WORLD'S HIT COUNTRIES INCLUDING RUSSIA, BULL GEARBULGARIA, AND PERU.

>> ARIZONA HAS BEEN NECK AND NECK WITH MISSISSIPPI AND USING A CRUDE TEST LIKE NUMBER OF DEATHS BY NUMBER OF PEOPLE PER CAPITA AND THIS STUDY TAKES A MORE SOPHISTICATED VIEW OF IT AND SAYS, WE'RE GOING TO ACCOUNT FOR THOSE THINGS THAT WE KNOW PUT PEOPLE AT HIGHER RISK AND SO, WE KNEW FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THAT AGE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST RISK FACTORS FROM AN INFECTION WITH COVID AND SAME THING WITH OBESITY, DIABETES, COPD AND THOSE TYPES OF CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND LOOK, LET'S LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD HERE.

AGE AND CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS, THEY'RE NOT EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE STATES.

I MEAN, UTAH IS THE YOUNGEST AND HEALTHIEST AND THE WEST VIRGINIA ARE YOUNGER AND SICKER.

LET'S LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD AND ACCOUNT FOR AGE DIFFERENCES AND CHRONIC MEDICAL DIFFERENCES.

AND THEN LET'S LOOK AT THE COVID-19 DEATH RATES.

SO IT LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD AND YOU'RE COMPARING LIKE POPULATIONS USING A STATISTICAL ADJUSTMENT.

TED >> Ted: WHAT ABOUT CASES?

WERE WE UP THERE WITH CASES OR DEATHS?

>> SO WE WERE UP THERE WITH CASES, OF COURSE, BUT WHERE WE REALLY STOOD OUT WAS WITH DEATHS AND THERE WASN'T A STATE EVEN CLOSE AFTER ADJUSTING.

MISSISSIPPI IS WITH US ON A CRUDE RATE AND ARIZONA WAS FAR WORSE AFTER ADJUSTING FOR AGE AND CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

>> Ted: HOW MUCH DID VACCINATION RATES LACK THEREAFTER PLAY A PART?

>> THAT WAS THE KEY AND IF YOU READ THE STUDY AND SAY, OK, IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT A STATE COULD HAVE DONE TO REDUCE THE DEATH RATES, IT'S ENCOURAGE VACCINATIONS USING BOTH CARROTS AND STICKS.

SO EITHER INCENTIVES OR COMPELLING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED DID MUCH BETTER, MUCH LOWER DEATH RATES AND PLACES LIKE VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, HAWAII, PLACES WHERE PEOPLE GOT VACCINATED AND HAD MUCH BETTER RESULTS THAN ARIZONA.

>> Ted: THERE WERE MANDATES PROHIBITING MASKS AND THESE SORTS OF THINGS.

A FACTOR?

>> YOU HAD GOVERNORS THAT ENCOURAGE VACCINATION AND REQUIRED STATE EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED AND GAVE INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESSES TO REQUIRE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED AND THOSE STATES DID GREAT.

OTHER STATES SAT ON THE SIDELINES AND SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'LL LET PEOPLE MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS AND WE WON'T STOP LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND BUSINESSES.

THOSE STATES DID MEDIUM AND THERE WAS ARIZONA, WHICH FORMER GOVERNOR DUCEY USING PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITY USED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO SAY TO RESTAURANTS, BUSINESSES, YOU CANNOT REQUIRE VACCINATION OF YOUR STAFF AND CALLED IT A "VACCINE PASSPORT."

THAT'S USING YOUR AUTHORITY TO STOP PEOPLE FROM ENCOURAGING VACCINATION.

>> Ted: IS THEREIN AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE, THOUGH, THAT IF THEY HAD THESE MANDATES AND IF HE HAD DONE WHAT WOULD HAVE LIKELY KEPT US FROM THE HIGHEST ADJUSTED DEATH RATE, THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT HAVE RESPONDED OR RESPONDED NEGATIVELY.

IS THAT EVEN AN ARGUMENT?

>> I DON'T THINK IT IS, BECAUSE USING THAT ARGUMENT, YOU COULD SAY, LOOK, AT LEAST DO TO HARM.

AT LEAST DON'T USE YOUR PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITY TO STOP BUSINESSES FROM INCENTIVIZING THEIR STAFF.

YOU DON'T STOP RESTAURANTS FROM CHECKING A VACCINE CARD AS A CONDITION OF COMING IN.

THAT'S STANDING ON THE SIDELINES.

THEY DIDN'T DO THAT.

HE SAID, YOU CAN'T CHECK FOR VACCINE CARDS.

SO I MEAN, THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE AND WE WERE BAD ON THE CRUDE RATE AND IN THE ADJUSTED RATE.

>> Ted: YOU MENTIONED NEW HAMPSHIRE, MAINE, HAWAII.

>> THEY HAD BETTER POLICY DECISIONS AND SOFT CONDITIONS THAT HELPED THEM OUT AND SOCIAL TRUST TURNED OUT TO BE A BIG FACTOR, SO IF YOU'RE IN A STATE THAT HAS A LOT OF SOCIAL TRUST, MEANING PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO HAVE EACH OTHER'S BACK AND THEY TRUST SCIENCE, THOSE STATES DID A LOT BETTER THAN STATES WITH LOW SOCIAL TRUST.

>> Ted: WE HAVE LOW SOCIAL TRUST, HUH?

>> THAT WASN'T IN THE REPORT, SO I DON'T KNOW.

PROBABLYBELOW AVERAGE.

>> Ted: GOVERNOR DUECY, A REPUBLICAN, DID YOU SEE ANY TRENDS THERE?

>> THE AUTHORS DIDN'T FIND A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARTY AFFILIATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE RESULTS THAT THEY ACHIEVED AND THEY DIDN'T FIND A ROBUST RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WHAT STATES VOTED FOR FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IN THE 2020 ELECTION AND THOSE STATES, THOSE, QUOTE BE, UNQUOTE RED STATES DID WORSE.

>> Ted: IF YOU DID VOTE FOR TRUMP, THINKING ALONG THOSE LINES, INTERPERSONAL TRUST, NOT A BIG DEAL.

>> A CONSTELLATION OF TRUST, THE POVERTY RATES AND THEY COME TOGETHER IN A LOT OF STATES THAT ARE ENTHUSIASTS OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

>> Ted: ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, AS WELL?

>> YES.

AND SO THAT WOULD BE STATES THAT EXPANDED -- IF YOU EXPANDED MEDICAID.

>> Ted: THIS IS IN THE MEDICAL JOURNAL OF LANCET AND WHAT DO WE TAKE FROM THIS STUDY AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE LAWMAKERS, DECISION-MAKES AND PUBLIC TO TAKE?

>> TRUST, OBVIOUSLY STUDIES AND USE IT THE NEXT TIME SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS.

YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE PRINCIPLE OF SCIENCE IS THAT YOU LEARN FROM WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES ARE IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO AND TO HELP GUIDE BOTH POLITICIANS BUT VOTERS WHEN THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT WHO THEY'LL VOTE FOR NEXT TIME SO THAT THEY BELIEVE THEIR CANDIDATES WILL BETTER REFLECT THE VALUES THEY HAVE.

>> Ted: WITH EVERYTHING DONE AND SAID NOW AND THESE NUMBERS SHOWING THIS, DO YOU THINK THAT ARIZONA'S POPULOUS LOOKS ON MASKS, VACCINES DIFFERENTLY IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> Ted: THAT'S AN HONEST ANSWER AND WE'LL CLOSE IT OUT RIGHT THERE AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> Ted: UP NEXT, A LOCAL SCHOOL WINS A NATIONAL EDUCATION AWARD.

>> GOOD YEAR'S THUNDER SCHOOL WAS HONOR HONORED WITH EXCELLENT IN TEACHERRING AWARD AND WON THE $50,000 GRAND PRIZE FOR FOSTER FOSTERING EXCELLENT SUCCESS AND WE WELCOME JOSH BARNETT AND DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT BETSY HARGROVE.

AND LET'S TALK ABOUT YOU BECAUSE THIS IS, NIED, WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?

WE'RE AN ORGANIZATION THAT REALLY FOCUSING ON A MISSION TO BUILD EDUCATOR EXCELLENCE AS A PATHWAY TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL STUDENTS.

ULTIMATELY, WHAT WE BELIEVE IS, SUSTAINED, INTENTIONAL, HIGH QUALITY INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATORS IS THE SOLUTION TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL STUDENTS.

IF WE BUILD THE HUMAN CAPITAL IN EVERY SCHOOL AND THE PATHWAY OF BUILDING THAT HUMAN CAPITAL IS TO HAVE TEACHER LEADERS IN FORMAL ROLES TO HELPS US BRING APART THE ISOLATION THAT CAN HELP FOR A LOT OF EDUCATORS.

YOU HAVE A TEACHER LEADER TO COME AND GIVE YOU COACHING AND SUPPORT, THAT'S A BENEFIT.

FOR THE PRINCIPAL THAT GIVES YOU A TEAM TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND WE SEE DESERT THUNDER OF A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING.

>> Ted: WINNING THE THING AND YOU WERE ONE OF FIVE FINALISTS AND ARE YOU SURPRISED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WERE SITTING AND LISTENING TO THE FOUNDER TALK ABOUT THE AWARD AND THE RECIPIENT, WE'RE LISTENING AND WE'RE LISTENING AND THEN THIS IS US AND JUST THIS HUGE ERUPTION OF EXCITEMENT AND PRIDE AND EMOTION.

>> Ted: YOU SAYS "THIS IS US" AND YOU'RE GOING, THIS RINGS US A BELL.

>> TALKING ABOUT THE TEAM THAT IS THERE AND TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY COME TOGETHER OVER YEARS AND THE ONGOING WORK HAPPENING WITHIN OUR DISTRICT AND AS LOWELL IS SPEAKING AND HE NAMED DESERT THUNDER AND AN ERUPTION OF EMOTION.

>> Ted: I GUESS CREATING A CULTURE OF COLLABORATION AND LEVERAGING TEACHERS TO DRIVE STUDENT GROWTH AND SOUNDS LIKE COMMON SENSE STUFF AND MUST NOT BE BECAUSE IF IT IS COMMON SENSE, YOU LEAPED HIGH ABOVE THAT COMMON SENSE, HUH?

TALK US TO ABOUT HOW YOU'VE GONE IN THIS DIRECTION AND WHAT PUSHED YOU IN THIS DIRECTION.

>> THASMTHIS HAS BEEN A PART OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 12 YEARS AND OUR TEN SCHOOLS WITHIN OUR DISTRICT HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE PROCESS AND THIS IS THE THIRD DISTRICT THAT IS A FINALIST AND THE THIRD THAT HAS EARNED THE FOUNDER'S AWARD AND THIS IS A SYSTEM AND AN ENTIRE PROCESS THAT HAPPENS ACROSS OUR DISTRICT.

FROM THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TEACHER EMPOWERMENT AND HAVING THEM SEE THE ENTRY POINT INTO EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM TO SHARED AND DISTRIBUTED LEADERSHIP.

>> Ted: THE FOUNDER'S AWARD, WHAT IS THIS INTEREST?

>> IN 2008, THEY CREATED AN AWARD TO RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM AND ULTIMATELY, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS CELEBRATE THE GREAT THINGS SCHOOLS ARE DOING AND DESERT THUNDER, THIS YEAR, IS DOING GREAT THINGS BY WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID, CREATING THAT DISTRIBUTED LEADERSHIP MODEL SO THAT PRINCIPALS DON'T FEEL ISOLATED IN THE ROLE AND TEACHERS IN THE CLASSCLASSROOMS DON'T FEEL ISOLATED.

THE COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT, WE HAVE NINE THOUSAND SCHOOL PARTNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THIS IS ONE OF FIVE FINALISTS AND OUR SELECTED WINNER AND ULTIMATELY WHAT THEY'RE DOING THAT'S DIFFERENT AND HELPING THEM TO STAND OUT.

THAT'S TAKING THOSE PROCESSES AND ENSURING THAT IT APPLIES TO EVERY CLASSROOM SO THAT EVERY CHILD GETS A GREAT EDUCATION.

>> Ted: DESCRIBE DESERT THUNDER FOR US.

>> IT'S A DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL AND HALF OF THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE WITH SPANISH AND THE OTHER HALF IS IN ENGLISH.

THEY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 54% ELIGIBLE FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE LUNCHED LUNCH.

IT'S OUR JOB TO GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE THEM TO SUCCEED.

>> Ted: PRETTY PROUD.

>> VERY PROUD.

>> Ted: WHEN YOU HOLD UP A SCHOOL LIKE DESERT THUNDER AND SAY, JUST BY THE FOUNDER'S AWARD, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

>> SHINING A LIGHT ON EXCELLENCE AND PROCESSES AND PRACTICES WORKING IN SCHOOLS, WE KNOW ACROSS THE NATION, THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE EXAMPLES OF WHAT'S GOING WELL AND HAPPENING THAT IS CHANGING LIVES OR OPPORTUNITIES AND CREATING TRAJECTORIES TO GO ON AND ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS AND THAT'S WHAT DESERT THUNDER IS DOING.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION IS LOCATE, SUPPORT, TRAIN AND GUIDE DIFFERENT PRACTICES AND SHINE A LIGHT FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.

TED AND >> Ted: AND THE REACTION FROM EVERYBODY?

>> THEY PUT IN AMAZING EFFORT TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AND EVERY CLASSROOM, THAT'S OUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY AND THEY DO THAT EVERY DAY AND TO BE RECOGNIZED IN SUCH A WAY IS A PHENOMENAL OCCASION PROCESS.

>> Ted: THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> Ted: J.

A. JANCE, THE BEST-SELLING AUTHOR RAISED IN BISBY AND HER LATEST BOOK IS TITLED "COLLATERAL DAMAGE" AND WE WELCOME J.

A. JANCE TO ARIZONA HORIZON AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> Ted: THIS NEW BOOK, YOU HAVE WRITTEN SO MANY BOOKS.

WHEN YOU RELEASE A NEW BOOK, DOES IT FEEL SPECIAL?

>> THIS ONE FEELS ESPECIALLY SPECIAL AND I STARTED WRITING IN THE MIDDLE OF MARCH OF 1982 AND THIS IS MY 64th PUBLISHED BOOK.

SO IF YOU DO THE MATH, I'VE BEEN WRITING 1.5 BOOKS A YEAR FOR 40 YEARS.

WITHBUT THIS ONE TOOK A WHOLE YEAR TO WRITE AND I'VE NEVER TAKEN A WHOLE YEAR TO WRITE A BOOK.

IT WAS REALLY -- IT WAS WONDERFUL WHEN IT CAME OUT BECAUSE IT WAS A STRUGGLE TO WRITE AND PEOPLE SEEM TO BE ENJOYING IT.

>> Ted: A GREAT READ AND I LEAVE SEEING ALL OF THE ARIZONA SCENES AND LOTS OF STUFF IN SEDONA.

YOU'VE WRITTEN SO MANY BOOKS.

DO YOU LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF, ABOUT WRITING WITH EVERY BOOK?

>> ACTUALLY, I DO LEARN SOMETHING AND I LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT THE CHARACTERS.

I JUST REALIZED LONG AFTER I FINISHED WRITING "COLLATERAL DAMAGE," PART OF THE PLOT INVOLVES AN INCIDENT, A TRAFFIC INCIDENT ON I-17 BETWEEN PHOENIX AND FLAGSTAFF WHICH RESULTS IN A MAJOR BRUSHFIRE AND CLOSES DOWN THE FREEWAY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

AND IT I WAS LATE TO A BOOK SIGNING ONCE BECAUSE OF AN INCIDENT ON I-17 RESULTED IN A BRUSHFIRE.

I DIDN'T REALIZE AT THE TIME I WAS WRITING THAT I WAS PUTTING A PIECE OF MY OWN HISTORY INTO THAT BOOK.

>> Ted: THAT IS SO FASCINATING.

BUT YOU DO EVER SIT BACK -- YOU DID A LITTLE BIT, SIT BACK AND MARVEL AT HOW MANY BOOKS YOU HAVE WRITTEN.

>> WHEN I WROTE THAT FIRST BEAUMONT BOOK, "PROVEN GUILTY," I WAS SURPRISED AND I'M STARTING NUMBER 27.

>> Ted: WOW!

>> I'M AMAZED.

>> Ted: WHAT GOT YOU STARTED AT BEING A WRITER?

WERE YOU READING BOOKS OR WHAT DO YOU ANY?

>> IN SECOND GRADE, MY TEACHER, LIZY SPANGLER, IN HER CLASSROOM, UNDER THE WINDOWS WERE BOOK SHELVES LOADED WITH BOOKS AND IF YOU FINISHED YOUR WORK EARLY, YOU COULD LEAVE YOUR DESK AND GO THERE AND PICK UP A BOOK.

AND SO IT WAS IN HER BOXES THAT I DISCOVERED FRANK BOMB'S BOOKS.

AS SOON AS I ENCOUNTERED THEM, I LOVED THE STORIES.

WHAT FASCINATED ME WAS THE IDEA THAT A LIVING, BREATHING PERSON PUT THOSE WORDS ON THE PAGES AND FROM SECOND GREAT ON, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO DO, TO BE THE PERSON PUTTING THOSE WORDS ON THE PAGES.

>> Ted: BUT WHEN DID YOU REALIZE, THOUGH, YOU WERE NOT JUST PUTTING WORDS ON PAGES THAT YOU COULD MAKE A CAREER OUT OF THIS?

>> IT ONLY TAKES 40 YEARS.

[ Laughter ] >> WHEN I FOUND MYSELF WRITING A STORY AND SUDDENLY HAVING GOOSEBUMPS DOWN MY LEGS, I KNEW THAT I WAS GOOD AT TELLING STORIES.

IN THIS BOOK, I SPENT FIVE YEARS OF MY LIFE AS A K THROUGH 12 LIBRARIAN ON A RESERVATION WEST OF TUCSON AND I LEARNED THE STORIES OF LEGENDS OF THE DESERT PEOPLE AS A STORY-TELLER THERE.

ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF THEIR STORY-TELLING PROCESS IS THAT A STORY MUST END WHERE IT BEGINS.

IN THIS BOOK, IT BEGINS WITH A TERRIBLE MURDER ON THE DOORSTEP OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER IN ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

AND I WROTE THE BOOK, BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL I WAS EDITING IT THAT I REALIZED WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT STORY-TELLING ON THE RESERVATION THAT GOT TRANSLATED INTO THAT BOOK.

THAT STORY ENDS WHERE IT BEGINS, AT THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER.

THE SCENE AT THE END OF "COLLATERAL DAMAGE" GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS.

BECAUSE I WANT PEOPLE TO READ IT.

>> Ted: IT'S FASCINATEING AND I LOOK AT THE WHOLE BOOK DIFFERENTLY NOW BECAUSE I'M SEEING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, ARIZONA, NOT A LOT OF FOLKS BASE STORIES, NOVELS, ESPECIALLY, IN ARIZONA.

YOU DID A GOOD JOB OF IT IN THIS BOOK AND YOU'VE DONE IT BEFORE.

IS ARIZONA ABOUT READY TO BE THE NEW SANFRANCISCO?

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

ALL I KNOW IS WHEN I CAME TO BISBY, ARIZONA, FROM SOUTH DAKOTA IN THE WINTER, THE LATE WINTER AND EARLY SPRING OF 1949, MY FIRST CONSCIOUS MEMORY IS OF HANGING ON THE FENCE IN BISBY AND FEELING MY SUN ALL OVER THE BODY.

LOVE AFFAIR WITH ARIZONA STARTED ON THAT DAY AND I THINK THE WAY I DEPICT ARIZONA IN MY STORIES IS A REFLECTION OF THAT LOVE AFFAIR.

>> Ted: YES, INDEED.

BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, ARE YOU HARD AT WORK RIGHT NOW ON THE NEXT NOVEL?

>> I AM AT WORK ON THE NEXT NOVEL, YES.

IN THE THINKING PROCESS.

[ Laughter ] >> Ted: WELL, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO INTERRUPT THAT THINKING PROCESS.

CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL OF YOUR SUCCESS AND CONTINUED SUCCESS, AS WELL, AND J.

A. JANCE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Ted: I'M TED SIMONS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING!

♪♪