So I get my Google Alerts for today and zip over to one blog that has my book up for the tour. One blogger, Carly, scares me by saying there are lots of stories & storytellers, but “there are some stories I don’t care for as much.” Gulp! Oh no!
Then, she dives into a beautifully elegant and emotional review of The Fence My Father Built, saying, “Sometimes there is a story that reaches me on a deeper, more personal level. TFMFB is one of those stories.” She continues, “The Fence My Father Built is written with such tenderness that (it) touched me deeply.”
Wow. She ends by saying my novel is, “not one to be read through, rather one should savor and absorb it.” Double wow.
Writing Tip for Today: When a reader pays you a heart-felt compliment like this one, it’s best not to let your head swell until it explodes. Stay humble, writers. Stay hungry, in search of that mysterious place in you, that zone that produces your best work. And when the reader likes the result, give them the gratitude they are due. Without them, we writers don’t really have much of a job.
To the world of readers I have to apologize in that I usually don’t read this kind of material. I am not a touchy feely person. With that said I did read Linda’s book. It was refreshing, well written, and as I got further into it, compelling. I will be looking for more work by Linda and pick it up without hesitation. Don Leach from Oregon. p.s. I really liked the setting and accuracy in its depiction.
Thanks, Don. I’m flattered you’d stick with my novel, even though you aren’t touchy-feely. I hope I get another novel out there SOON! Best,
Linda