What the critics are saying - Jody from Bar Harbor, Maine

1/29/11 9:36 a.m.

Hi, Amy!  I have read the first fifteen chapters of Wicked Good and am totally loving it!  It is heartbreakingly real!  I don't think I have read anything like it before.  Thank god for the humor or I would be devastated by the pathos!  I have to stop now because it is 9:30 on a Sat. morning and I haven't even showered yet.  Need to get on with my day.  I will keep you posted with responses as I go.  Thanks for including me in your "club" of readers!  Jody

1/30/11 8:07 a.m.

Amy, I have read 32 chapters and only stopped because my computer froze.  Archer's  vast range of feelings for her son - from unbearable tenderness to the almost  "murderous rage" of any mother who possesses a healthy ego (I think Winnicott said that) is so refreshingly honest!  I hope you do get it published because I think mothers everywhere (and especially adoptive mothers) will find great relief in reading your story.  I'll keep you posted as I continue to read....Jody 

1/30/11 10:38 p.m.

Hi Amy, Finished.  I really enjoyed it (and I don't much like reading from a computer so you know I enjoyed it to finish it over a week-end).  It was fun and painful and very honest.  I've read other novels that feature kids with Aspergers (like the one about the boy and the mystery about the dead dog... can't remember the exact title).  I loved that book too, but your book captures the personality of one kid with Aspergers that fits more with my own experience.  Such a complex boy!  And the mom's self-doubts - actually more like raw Shame - was so powerfully depicted.  When I work with families - especially adoptive families - I encounter this shame all the time.  It seems to come with the territory (of mothers?  adoption?  not sure).  I really hope you get published.  And I would most assuredly love a sequel.  By the way, the plot twists were delightful!  Keep me posted on your publishing progress.  Jody

Wicked Good - what the critics are saying - Ana R., Boca Raton, Florida

    "I agree. I do love the book. It lingers in the mind for hours. You created a good atmosphere."

                     - Ana R., Boca Raton, Florida (written in response to "what the critics are saying - Cathy R., Fort Lauderdale, Florida - previous post)

Wicked Good - what the critics are saying - Cathy R., Fort Lauderdale, Florida

         "OK, I have been inside your minds, and I want more!! Just finished the whole book - you are talented and I am impressed!! Keep it up!!" 


                ---Cathy R., Fort Lauderdale, Florida (who read Wicked Good on her Kindle)

Wicked Good - Rory says Happy Bday, MLK, Jr.

        Rory says:

       "MLK Jr.'s bday is wicked good because he said some really neat things and believed everyone was equal. Mrs. K taught us all about him, how he fought for freedom and equality. And I know he felt everyone should be equal, regardless of race or anything. My favorite quote is when he said Faith is taking the stairs one at a time when you don't see the whole staircase. Or something like that. I want to be like him."

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying - Laurence S., Miami Springs, Florida

WORTH THE PRICE OF A HARDCOVER BOOK! "My client does not accept your proposal. Why don't you give me a reasonable offer so we can negotiate for real? Sincerely yours, white, middle-aged male attorney with bad toupee and terrible breath." "How much does she want for spousal support? If it’s too much, my client says he’s moving to Brazil where his second cousin lives. Best regards, female lawyer with Napoleon syndrome."

                                        (Excerpt from chapter 50, Wicked Good)

                                        -Laurence S., Miami Springs, Florida

Wicked Good - Amy and Jo Interview - Part Three

Amy and Jo Interview – Part Three

Live from Bass Park, Bangor, Maine

     In Paul Bunyan’s last interview of us, he asked us to explain Asperger’s Syndrome. You can read that interview by going to Blog Archive, December, 2010 and scrolling down to Amy and Jo Interview – Part Two.

    If you want to read a real interview of us, go to:

     http://jodiwebb.com/news/wicked-good-co-writing/

PB: It’s been awhile since we’ve last spoke so why don’t you update your readers on what has been happening with Wicked Good and the blog.

Amy: We’ve been having a blast. Jo was in Maine for a couple of weeks over the holidays and not only did we work on the blog but we went snowshoeing, saw movies, hung out, got snowed in, played with the dogs. We also made a video with images inspired by Wicked Good which you can view at:
                              http://gallery.me.com/jtawnylewis#100103

PB: I saw the video. It’s great.

Jo: Thanks. Blogging Wicked Good has been really incredible. We have people following us from all over the world. The United States, of course, but also, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa. Some places I’ve never even heard of.

PB: Remind us, please, is Wicked Good finished?

Amy: Yes. We just posted chapter 51. There are 80 chapters total.

PB: Will you consider self-publishing or e-publishing Wicked Good?

Amy: We would love to get published in the traditional sense but we’re not opposed to considering self- or e-publishing either. I guess that’s what we’re doing anyway with the blog.The blog has been more fun because we get to add pictures of things we like, add interviews, and other stuff.

Jo: If any readers want us to send Wicked Good to their Kindle or other e-reader, we’d be happy to do so. Just leave a comment for us on the blog or e-mail us at wickedgoodthebook@gmail.com.

Amy: We’ll decide what to do with Wicked Good next after we’re done posting the entire book. Right now, we’re just doing the blog and talking about what our next book is going to be about.

PB: Another book? Wicked good! What’s it about?

Jo: It’s tentatively titled Wicked Wise and Rory will be graduating from high school. Maybe we'll follow Rory until he is an old man and see how Asperger’s affects him at different stages of his life. Graduating high school, working, getting married, growing old, losing Archer, even how he reacts to the prospect of his own death.

Amy: We'll be pretty old by then.  We haven’t decided exactly what the next one is about just yet but we’re working on it. All I know is this one better have at least one dog in it.

Jo: We might also write it from Rory’s point of view this time. We need to have a high-powered writer’s meeting to decide.

Amy (laughing): My agent can call your agent.

Jo: Or maybe your poodle can call mine!

Amy: We might even blog the writing of the second book.

PB: That sounds awesome. This statue has learned a lot once again. Until our next interview, this lumberjack is signing out.

Wicked Good - what the critics are saying...Christine L. from Brewer, Maine

     "I'm really enjoying Wicked Good. I'm looking forward to the new chapters each time they are released. I didn't know the two of you were such great writers!"

                                      Christine L., Brewer, Maine

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...Jude G. from Bangor, Maine

     “I love the way you are weaving so many social issues into the fabric of this story. Your characters present as rather average people but actually have complex lives that enable the readers to see that these issues could belong to any one of us. Life isn't always fair, but that is exactly what life is! It keeps me eager for the next chapter to arrive.”

                                                    Jude G. from Bangor, Maine