When a Friend Writes a Book

This is a new sort of post on my blog, because normally I feature books by writing reviews of them and yet I won't be giving a review of the book until after it releases later this month.

So, what is it like to have a good friend write a book?  Well, first of all, if you're a writer as well, you get to hear the squeal of eagerness as someone comes up with a great new idea for a plot.  All friends can hear that squeal, but not all friends are writers who know firsthand the euphoria of getting to know your new characters (which rarely seen like strangers—only friends newly met, excepting the villains, of course) and of harnessing the words onto paper.

Then comes the revision process.  Conma here, or comma there?  Would it be better to add to a scene or not?  You get to watch your pal wrestle with those decisions that affect how posterity will see their book, and even as you give advice you wonder if the advice you give might hinder their particular author "voice." (I neededn't have worried about Angela's author voice.  It's engaging and energetic and not at all in danger of becoming watered down by a friend's suggested edit.)

After the revision comes the formatting and cover selection process.  Now let me warn you right here: if your sanity hangs by a small thread, formatting will run you the very real risk of landing in the loony bin.  It is not for the faint of heart, nor is it for those who have a hard time with attention to detail.  It is a computer screen war zone in black and white!  This is when you as a friend need to be ready to join "sprints" (time frames of generally fifteen to twenty minutes wherein you focus only on your project and see how much you can get done) and to send plenty of virtual chocolate and ice cream! The cover is the fun part; watching cover elements take shape and getting to see previews of color, font, style, placement, and perspective is a great deal of fun and also leaves you feeling somewhat useful.

But then----the best part of all: the day you get to announce to the world that your good friend's book is ready to meet the world.  What a fun feeling that is!  

How can you support your favorite writer friends?  Whether it's just listening in while they ramble about Charater This and Character That, or talking through the expediency of tweaking Plot Point K, or if you're instead the Head of Comfort and provide the shoulder to weep on and the foot rubs and the chocolate, or if you're the one that runs to be first in line to buy the book in print....don't let these fun moments pass you by!

Anyway....here is the graphic for Angela's new novella.  Isn't that a beautiful cover? And the story inside is even better!

And here’s my review!

From the very first line, the atmosphere is gripping and interesting.  “Being a lone wolf in a world full of lone wolves could get as messy as fast as a squirrel could climb a tree.”  If that doesn’t put you in the mood for a good story with a fine dash of authentic country to it, just keep reading and you’ll soon find that mood.  The main characters, Lucy and Ed, are both very individual and equally interesting.  The whole arc of the thief and what he meant to do kept me guessing the entire story, and the impossible situation is masterfully handled.

Without giving away too much of the plot, I’ll just say it is a very good debut and that I am glad to award it four out of five stars!  Well done, Angela.  I loved story and the fun I had finding bits of my friend in the way the story is written.

Here’s a link to her blog with more info on how to get your copy!
https://thepeculiarmessenger.wordpress.com/