Thursday, March 20, 2014

Review of "Chasing the Strawberry Moon: Hitchhiking (for girls)


Last July, an Arizona author—Judy A. Grout—contacted me to inquire if I’d work with her as she polished her young adult manuscript entitled Chasing the Strawberry Moon: Hitchhiking (for girls). Judy had gotten my name from a mutual friend in Minnesota.       
                                                                                                                                In our telephone conversation, she explained that a few months before she’d met an agent at a writer’s conference. After they’d discussed the novel’s plot and background, the agent asked to read the manuscript. A few weeks later, she sent Judy a full-page list of suggestions for how to improve the manuscript and make it more publishable. She expressed interest in seeing the manuscript again once Judy had worked on it.                                                                                                             Intrigued by the title of the novel and by Judy’s willingness to  continue polishing a manuscript on which she’d already spent so much time, I agreed to work with her. For a week, I read and made suggestions about plot development, sustaining suspense, creating tension, and showing character instead of just describing or telling about it—all of which were concerns of the agent.                                                                                                                    In September, Judy sent me a new manuscript in which she had incorporated her response to my suggestions. For two weeks we worked to polish that second manuscript, which had improved greatly. We both thought that she now had a manuscript that worked. She planned to do more with dialogue and format, but essentially she had written an entertaining and arresting young adult novel.                                                                                                                                    Judy Grout is a mature writer. By that I mean that she was faithful to her story and accepted only those suggestions of mine that worked for her and for the characters and plot she envisioned. Insecure writers slavishly accept all suggestions made by their critique readers; arrogant writers accept nothing. Judy’s attitude made working with her pleasurable.                                                                                                                          Now her young adult novel has been published. Here’s just a brief summary of its plot, which is sure to keep you reading to the end of this hitchhiking romp.  
                                                                                                                      Forced to flee Baywater, Minnesota, to avoid an arranged marriage to the local sheriff’s son, Patsy Schwartz hits the open road with her best friend, Virginia Burg. It’s 1939. Both the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl are affecting everyone’s life in the United States and war is sweeping across Europe.                                                                                                             Before she settles for marriage to someone who might be part of that war, Patsy wants some adventure . . . hopefully in Hollywood where she’s determined to become a star.     
                                                                                                                            The two girls trek across North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho, toward a café run by Virgie’s relatives in Washington. There they hope to rest from their adventures before heading south to California and the stardom that awaits them.                                                                                                            On their journey, Patsy and Virgie encounter a cast of characters whose foibles and antics will both delight and dismay you. As the two young women thumb their way across the country, they ride with truckers; work for ranchers; meet Communists, preachers, and artists for the WPA; encounter women motorcyclists; and get treated to a meal by the Civilian Conservation Corpsmen.         
                                                                                                                           And always, nipping at their heels, are the sheriff’s son and the Chicago hoods who have plans for Baywater, Minnesota, and that son.                                                                                                       While this novel will be of great interest to young women, I found it equally interesting as well as humorous  because the story helped me imagine my mom and her own dreams and adventures when she was young. The novel does, I think, accurately portray youth when we believe that all is possible.                                                                                                If you’d like to learn more about the plot and the background that led to Judy writing a fictionalized account of a true story, please go to the book’s page on Amazon. Or visit Judy’s writer's page, which features a short video of many of the scenes that Patsy and Virgie saw on their hitchhiking adventure.                                                                                                                     
P S: I apologize for the haphazard formatting of this posting. For some unknown reason, I just cannot get everything to line up as it normally does. Peace.


28 comments:

  1. Well done Dee - a second pair of (experienced ) eyes obviously did the trick.

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    1. Thank you for your positive comments. Judith

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  2. How fun! Sounds like you two were a great pair. I bet my girls would love to read this book.

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  3. How neat to collaborate on a book. That would be such a valuable help to a writer. You sold me. It is now on my Kindle. Thank you.

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  4. Congratulations to Judith. It does indeed look like fun. And I am sure that you were a HUGE help.
    Hugs.

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  5. Thank you, Dee. I ordered it for the grand daughters. Me, too, I suspect.

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  6. Sure you helped pave the way indeed. Another pair of eyes and opinion is always a good thing

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  7. Excellent review, Dee. Although this book is aimed at a younger audience, it also interests me.

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  8. It was an interesting time period, and I look forward to reading how those two young women handle their adventures! God to see your name, Dee.

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  9. Congratulations for taking part in the publication of this book. I'm sure your help was very much appreciated.

    Love,
    Janie

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  10. This sounds like a very interesting book, and I sincerely mean that. This should be a shining star in the YA world where so much literature seems to center on the paranormal and/ or vampires and zombies. A great collaboration, as well, between the two of you.

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  11. How nice to meet one of the authors you've had a hand in supporting and encouraging, Dee. I love the historical references that pepper this story and the time period is particularly appealing to me. I don't have any young people in the appropriate age range, so I think I'll have to buy it for me. I'd love to read this book, and I will! :-)

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  12. Sounds like a fun book to read. Those times interest me. ...and what an adventure!!!

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  13. Dee, I'm certain I will enjoy this. It sounds like a page-turning adventure that is filled with historical interest; a read I always grab on to.
    It is so interesting to get glimpses of the writing cycle from you. Your perspective, as a writer, an editor, and a discerning reader continue to open my eyes to the process and possibilities.
    Thank you.
    Hope you are feeling better and that life has been good to you as we celebrate the start of spring.

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  14. You've convinced me, Dee -- ordered and on the way to my Kindle! It's wonderful that you could be involved in such a great and successful project. It's a wonderful thing to have such a positive outcome.

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  15. Hi There, How wonderful that you can use your expertise to help another writer... It's good also when they 'take' suggestions --instead of asking for them and then not using them... Seems as if you two worked together really well.

    Hope the book does well... Hope you are doing better now health wise... Spring should help!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  16. How wonderful that you were able to help encourage, guide, and help another writer tell her story. Hope you're feeling better.
    Linda

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  17. It looks delightful, Dee, and I'm so glad you were able to help her. Now I'm really burning incense and holding good thoughts for YOUR novel!

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  18. Sounds like a positive experience for you both!
    I hope you have been feeling well, my friend. :)

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  19. Hi Dee, What an honor to be asked to help a fellow writer. Two minds are better than one and a lot more fun.
    Hugs :)

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  20. How lucky Judy was to find you. This is a story with a happy ending for everyone involved it sounds like.

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  21. Hello All, thank you so much for your whole-heartedly support of Judy's book, "Chasing the Strawberry Moon: Hitchhiking (for girls)." I hope that if you purchase the book in paper or for your e-reader you'll enjoy it and want to write a comment on Amazon for it. Many readers look at the number of comments a book has before purchasing it. The more comments the more they think other readers liked the book. So thank you in advance for commenting on Amazon if you have the time and inclination. Peace.

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    1. Yes and thank you to Dee for her help as we worked our way through my MS. Her patience and guidance were just what I needed to get me to where I am today.

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  22. Thank you to everyone who added so many positive comments about my book and working with Dee. She is the person who helped polish and define and reach my goal. She listened patiently to my concerns and used her wealth of knowledge to answer my questions. A supportive writing community is such a comfort in this uncertain world we live in. Judy

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  23. How very kind of you to help with finalising another writer's novel. Good luck to Judy.

    When can I expect to read yours?
    Hope you are well and happy.

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  24. What a sweetie you are to give some spit and polish to a friend in need. All your beautiful knowledge is helping others and I know that is the kind of person you are.
    Take care and cheers to all the good people from Minnesota who survived the long and snow-packed winter.

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  25. What a great project for you to work on. Sounds like a good read.

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  26. So kind of you to help this writer. It must have felt good to give positive criticism and watch this book being published. It sounds like an exciting story. Those years were not easy ones for young people but this book sounds like it places all the action in a fun and positive light.

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