It took only six weeks to write, four years of reflection and a little yard work before local writer Jennifer Griffith published her second book, "a little sisterly advice."

"I was pulling weeds on the morning of Sept. 11 when the entire story popped into my head," Griffith said.

While the rest of the world was glued to their televisions with the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Griffith decided to put away her fears by writing a story. "It took me just six weeks to write, but then I didn't look at it again for four years," she said.

As a romance-meets-self-discovery genre, Griffith said she didn't think the book was very good at first. She said she went to work again with her publisher until the recipe was just right.

After the experience of writing her first book, "Choosing Mr. Right," Griffith said her second book is an improvement from her first attempt at fiction.

Although her first book was successful, Griffith said she smoothed out some of her rough edges as a published author with this piece.

The main character, Julia Cronquist, moves away to attend college and relies heavily upon the advice of her older sister, Bianca, whom she adores.

"This is a coming-of-age kind of book as Julia discovers love and what she has to offer," she said.

As the mother of four young children, Stephen, Zane, Rachel and Catherine, who range in age from 1 to 8 years old, Griffith said writing is like therapy and brings her joy.

"I wasn't motivated by fame or money because that doesn't work, but I do get a rush when I write," Griffith said.

Griffith is married to Gary Griffith, who is a Graham County justice of the peace, and the two met while she was a legislative assistant for the Senate in Washington, D.C.

Originally from Cache Valley in Idaho, Griffith said her family has lived in the Gila Valley for about six years.

Her book signing is Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Bookworms in Thatcher, just off Hwy. 70. She published the book through The Spring Creek Book Company, which is based in Utah.

For more information go to www.springcreekbooks. com on the Internet. The book is available at Bookworms or online in paperback for $15.95.

Contact Steph Slater at 428-2560 (ext. 248) or e-mail her at steph@eacourier.com.