Wicked Good, a novel by Amy Lewis Faircloth and Joanne Lewis

Wicked Writing: Adding Symbolism & Subtext to Fiction

2011-11-23T18:50:00.000-05:00

Wicked Writing

Adding Symbolism & Subtext to Fiction

By Joanne Lewis

Very often what makes a novel a rich experience for a reader is not readily seen on the page but lives in the spaces between the words. This is where subtext and symbolism are found.

Let’s start with definitions. Subtext is the implicit meaning of the text. Symbolism gives meaning to the words beyond what is described. Here are examples from my novel, Wicked Good.

First, subtext.

In chapter 11 of Wicked Good, Archer, exhausted and frustrated, finally finds Rory at the Mobil-to-go with bad girl, Trish. Archer sees Trish slip candy into her pocket.

Rory, who doesn’t notice, is standing at the counter, speaking. “If we could turn dirt into oil we would solve the world’s energy crisis and not have to rely on other countries. Don’t you think that’s a great idea, mom?”

“Yes, Rory,” Archer eyes the Monster energy drink cans on the counter, “it’s really smart. I’m tired. Can we go home now?”

“Yeah. I need money to pay for this stuff.”

She looks at Rory’s bounty on the counter as Trish walks up next to them. Archer holds out her hand. Trish takes the Milky Way out of her pocket and drops it into Archer’s palm.

The action of Trish dropping the Milky Way bar into Archer’s hand has an obvious meaning – Trish was caught almost stealing and had to fess up – but it also has an implicit meaning, a meaning beyond the act of Trish dropping the candy bar into the palm of Archer’s hand. What might that meaning be? Could it be suggesting something about the future relationship of Archer and Trish?

Next, symbolism.

In Wicked Good, there are many references to willow trees. Archer and Rory live on Willow Street. There is a willow tree in the back of the house that Archer and Rory planted when they moved in. Willow trees are easily conjured in a person’s mind. The long branches and hanging leaves can suggest foreboding but also hope.

In chapter 27 of Wicked Good, Kitty runs from Rory chanting a spell, which includes the mention of a willow tree.

In chapter 29 of Wicked Good, Rory is sitting on a bench with Trish, holding a small potted willow on his lap. Rory says: “It’s a baby willow tree, like the one in my back yard. It has special powers. It can heal wounds and burns. The Greeks used it to relieve pain, like aspirin. Some people even think the willow has the power to heal a broken heart.”

Is Rory only speaking those words to help Trish, or is there a deeper meaning? And how does Rory’s use of the willow tree to heal juxtapose with the willow tree being used by Kitty as a spell?

Every novel that grabs a reader’s heart is rich in subtext and symbolism. But remember to keep it subtle. If in Wicked Good we had explained the Willow tree as a symbol, it’s effect would not have been the same. And if after Trish drops the Milky Way bar into Archer’s palm, Archer says, “I guess this is the start of a beautiful friendship”, the development of their relationship throughout the novel would not have been so moving.

The words – and the spaces between the words – are richer with the addition of symbolism and subtext to your fiction.

Joanne Lewis is the co-author of the award-winning novel, Wicked Good. To learn more about Wicked Good, please visit www.amyandjoanne.com.

Give Them Wings and Watch Them Fly

2011-10-31T08:57:00.002-04:00

I foster dogs through my local animal shelter and recently brought home Ace, a one-year-old puggle named after the Snoopy flying ace character. Ace had been hit by a car and his family could not afford to have his broken leg fixed. They surrendered him to my local shelter. After surgery, he needed a place to heal his clipped wing. It took Ace a few days to get used to us. But once he did, we all fell in love. Ace knew his jobs - to snuggle up with me while I slept, to wake my 17-year-old son Ryan for school, to be accepted by Brendan - my 19-year-old son who is on the autism spectrum - and to find his way into the heart of my big old grumpy poodle.

Ace didn’t know his other job was to get strong. He approached all his jobs like the ace that he was and three weeks later, his wing was healed well enough so he could be put up for adoption. It was time for Ace to fly. I didn’t want to let him go but I couldn’t keep him. He had his wings.

It is not just dogs developing their wings in my household. My 19-year-old has Asperger’s syndrome and doesn’t like disruptions in his routine. He doesn’t like to be far from his coping mechanisms - DVDs blaring on his laptop and music on his I-pod. He began to panic when his laptop starting malfunctioning days before he and his brother were going to visit family in Washington, D.C. I began to panic as well and took him to buy a new laptop to avoid a break down. There was a minor melt down on the way home from the store when they didn’t have the laptop he wanted. We got home and I escaped to my bathtub. Forty minutes later, I went downstairs. Laptop, I-pod, DVD player and cords were scattered all over my kitchen table. He had fixed whatever had malfunctioned.

"Really?" I said.

"Yes," he said.

"So you are all set for the trip?"

"I'm still suspicious, but yes," he smiled. He had done it. He had figured it out and although he still had his doubts, he was okay with it. He had the wings he needed to go on his trip.

Then there is Ryan, my younger son. I don’t think he knows how much I love him and how terrific he is. He knows that I am always paying attention to his older brother and that I frequently bring foster dogs home for short periods of time. But Ryan is an amazing kid. He makes honor roll at school; he is a high achiever in football and track; he is funny; he is helpful around the house; he accepts the dogs I bring home as his own; he loves his brother. Ryan is gaining his wings, literally and figuratively. He is taking flying lessons. He wants to enlist in the air national guard in hopes of qualifying to be trained as a pilot. He asked about going to boot camp this summer, between his junior and senior years of high school. I said no. I am not ready for him to grow his wings.

Amy Lewis Faircloth is the co-author of the award-winning novel Wicked Good, the story of a mother and her adopted son who has Asperger's syndrome and searches for his birth parents.

Sisters publish novel from their blog on Asperger's syndrome

2011-10-03T19:25:00.002-04:00

Sisters publish novel from their blog on Asperger’s syndrome

By Aislinn Sarnacki, BDN Staff

Posted Oct. 02, 2011, at 8:28 p.m.
Last modified Oct. 02, 2011, at 8:59 p.m.

Courtesy photo

Joanne Lewis (left) and Amy Lewis Faircloth.

WICKED GOOD by Amy Lewis Faircloth and Joanne Lewis, August 2011, Telemachus Press, $9.95, 250 pages.

Rory wears black clothes covered in skulls to keep other teens away. He doesn’t want people to laugh at the way he talks, how he paces when he’s anxious or his interest in lawn mowers and all things mechanical. Rory has Asperger’s syndrome (commonly known as AS), and he’s not alone.

“Wicked Good,” a first novel by sisters Amy Lewis Faircloth of Hampden and Joanne Lewis of Florida, is about a single mother, Archer, struggling to raise her adopted son, Rory. Their story opens a door into a world that is rarely seen.

“‘Wicked Good’ has really touched people,” said Lewis.

Rory isn’t a real 15-year-old, but his personality is based on Faircloth’s oldest son, now 19, who has AS. To protect her son’s privacy, she asked that he not be named in the article.

“I think that my son and I and Asperger’s is treated with respect throughout the whole book,” said Faircloth, who has spoken to her oldest son many times about the book and says that he is OK with it. “It’s based on his and my personal traits, but the situations are totally made up.”

AS is a developmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to socialize and communicate effectively. Children with the syndrome typically exhibit an all-absorbing interest in specific topics, according to Mayo Clinic staff. But there is a long list of AS symptoms that vary depending on the person, including inability to sleep, poor decision-making, lack of empathy and difficulty reading nonverbal signs.

“The disorder is being diagnosed more and more,” said Faircloth. “Pretty much everyone we mention it to knows somebody who has Asperger’s or is involved in it in some way.”

Though the incidence of AS is not well established, experts conservatively estimate that two out of every 10,000 children have the disorder, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Named after Dr. Hans Asperger in 1944, AS is described as high-functioning autism that affects people with high and low IQs. Some people believe that celebrated geniuses Einstein and Mozart had AS.

“Wicked Good” unveils one experience of AS through intense dialogue and a dramatic, fictional plot that keeps the action rolling.

Lewis and Faircloth grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and both became attorneys. But while Lewis has been writing novels for years, Faircloth, a Bangor attorney, has no prior experience with fiction.

“Wicked Good” began with a phone call. Lewis, calling from sunny Florida, pitched the idea of writing a novel together. Faircloth, feeling that Maine March madness that has nothing to do with basketball, said, “Why not?”

The novel began as a way for the sisters to do something fun together, and it evolved into them wanting to educate people about AS through fiction.

“I didn’t know what Amy’s life was like,” said Lewis. “We talked about it. I heard about it. But I didn’t really know what Amy and [her sons’] life was like together. Growing up with a special needs child, I really didn’t get it, but now I do.”

The novel took them three years to complete, and after having a difficult time finding a publisher, they decided to create a blog and post chapters on the Internet accompanied by photos of places in Maine and Massachusetts that they visited to research for the book. Their blog gained followers, and after just two months, a publisher from a small press contacted the sisters. Now the entire book is published as an e-book (March 2011) and in paperback (August 2011).

“My family, we learned a lot during the process,” said Faircloth. “What we learned mostly was to accept each other and love each other and do it with humor … At some point, none of us can change who we are. But we all have something to offer.”

Faircloth used her experiences and knowledge, with the help of her two sons, to accurately write the family scenes. But as the story of acceptance progressed, the characters took on a life of their own. Rory’s violent outbursts and Archer’s battle with alcoholism are things that Faircloth has never personally experienced in her family.

Lewis wrote much of the historical fiction subplots (about the Salem Witch Trials and The Perfect Storm of 1991) and steered the plot to be a classic hero journey, which involves 12 stages, including a stage where the hero hits rock bottom.

In “Wicked Good,” many heroes collide and help each other along. Archer is battling addictionand a selfish ex-husband and is constantly doubting her parenting skills. Rory is on a quest to find his birth parents, understand AS and be a better son. And Rory’s troublemaking friend, Trish, quietly combats parental abuse and the stigmas surrounding her.

Though the main characters have no problem being in the spotlight, there is a richness and diversity of peripheral New England characters — the local policeman, the high school principal, gas station clerk, law firm assistant — and a web of unique relationships that links them all.

Trish, an unexpected scene stealer, has unresolved conflicts at the end of the book that will be picked up in “Wicked Wise,” scheduled to be published in 2012. In the sequel, 19-year-old Rory will be on a search for a “cure,” a mission catalyzed by bullying he endures at school.

“Wicked Good” has won the online 2011 Reader Favorite Award and it is among the finalists for the Royal Palm Literary Awards, the winner of which will be the determined Oct. 22 at a writers conference the sisters will attend together in Orlando.

Since starting the blog, Faircloth has connected with other bloggers, authors and readers who know people with AS.

“This tells people, they’re not alone,” Faircloth said. “They aren’t alone — someone just has to come out and say it.”

www.amyandjoanne.com

Wicked Good Blog Tour

2011-09-14T22:48:00.002-04:00

Wicked Good by Amy Lewis Faircloth and Joanne Lewis, Blog Tour & Giveaway Contests!

The Mowchine

Climb aboard The Mowchine because we’re riding into fall with wicked good novel and lots of fun events, including two contests!

WOW! is very pleased to introduce Joanne and Amy, two talented sisters who will be touring with us September 12th through October 7th with theiraward winning debut novel, Wicked Good. In addition to fun discussions, author interviews, book reviews, and prizes we will be having a writing contest, mass blogging day, and more prizes! That’s a lot of information to cover so let’s get started...

About the Book

Archer Falcon manages to maintain a successful law practice but in her private life she feels inept, especially when it comes to her adopted son, Rory who has been diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and Asperger’s syndrome.

Rory is a teenage boy struggling in a world that doesn’t understand him. He is as intelligent, witty and creative as he is destructive. Like all teenagers he seeks a sense of belonging and decides that his birth parents might just understand him better.

Wicked Good is part drama, part mystery...with a dose of humor. The authors take us on an emotional rollercoaster as we journey with their flawed-but-loveable characters, weaving in social issues and bits of New England’s history to make an entertaining read. Along the way we find ourselves gaining a better understanding of Rory’s world and the love shared between mother and son.

Paperback: 262 pages (and e-book)
Publisher: Telemachus Press, LLC (August 2011)
ISBN-10: 1935670980
ISBN-13: 978-1935670988
Twitter Hashtag: #WickedGood

Reader's Favorite Award Winner - Fiction Drama

Wicked Good is available for purchase in both print and e-book formats at Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.

Wicked Good - 2 sisters, 2 states and Asperger's Syndrome

2011-06-30T20:51:00.001-04:00

My sister and I have written a novel called Wicked Good. It's the story of a mother and her son with Asperger's syndrome. People frequently ask how it came to be that two sisters wrote a novel together while living in different states.

It was March. The snow was dirty brown and the sun was absent here in Bangor, Maine. I was spending a lot of time on my sofa, channel surfing and landing nowhere.

Joanne called from her home in Florida. “Wanna write a book together?” she asked.

I wrapped the afghan around me tighter and yawned from lack of blood flow to my brain. “Sure,” was the best response I could muster.

I am a lawyer by day and single mom to two teenage boys by day and night. My oldest is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism which has been of mixed blessings to my life.

Joanne is the literary brains behind this outfit. I can only write based upon my life experiences. Without Joanne moving the plot along, we would be nowhere. On the other hand, I have the experience. My son is now 19 years old. Life has been a challenge for both of us. The incidents in our novel Wicked Good are fiction. But many of the characteristics of the mother and son have basis in authenticity. For example, once my son gets an idea in his head, it is tough to dissuade him otherwise. The teenage character Rory in Wicked Good is the same. As another example, juggling my son's needs with my job truly does stress me out and the bathtub is a frequent refuge; just like it is for Archer, Rory's mother in Wicked Good. However, my son has never hit me and I do not have a drinking problem.

I don’t think I ever imagined we'd actually get a book written or that it would be published. But now that we have done it, I've found another way to deal with the stress of raising a child on the autism spectrum - writing. Of course, it wouldn't be as much fun with anyone else but my sister.

We are so excited that Wicked Good has been published and is available as an e-book on Amazon for Kindle, Barnes & Noble for Nook and other e-places. The bound novel will be out later this summer. Let us know what you think about Wicked Good. Visit our website at www.amyandjoanne.com and e-mail us at amyandjoanne@gmail.com

BUY WICKED GOOD HERE: Wicked Good

All my best, Amy

Wicked Good - Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T07:08:00.000-04:00

As Rory would say - I really really love you, Dad.

Happy Father's Day.

Amy and Jo

Wicked Good - More Noise and Props for Indie Publisher - Trestle Press

2011-06-17T15:15:00.000-04:00

   I know we've been quiet on the blog for the last couple of weeks but a lot has been happening behind-the-scenes. Wicked Good continues to sell well as an e-book on Kindle, Nook and other places. Wicked Good has been in the top 100 on Amazon for Kindle books dealing with special needs issues. The hardcover has not been released yet but we are hoping by the end of the month it will be ready.

   Wicked Good has been acknowledged on various sites (see Events/Media on our website at www.amyandjoanne.com) but the real exposure will be when the hardcover comes out. CNN reported recently that e-books were selling better than bound books on Amazon however people keep asking me when will Wicked Good be available to purchase as a book I can hold in my hand. Guess my independent research doesn't beat out Amazon's statistics but I feel pretty confident Wicked Good will get a lot more exposure once the hardcover is ready.

   That's it for now except congratulations to my nephew Brendan for graduating from high school. We are very very proud of him.

   And thanks for the latest shout-out for Wicked Good in the blog article "More Noise and Props for Indie Publisher - Trestle Press". See http://gelatisscoop.blogspot.com/2011/06/more-noise-and-props-for-indie.html

   And finally, thank YOU for your continued faith in Wicked Good and in us.

All our best for a great weekend, Jo

Wicked Good - Top 100 E-book on Amazon

2011-05-31T09:04:00.000-04:00

   Just wanted to share the good news that Wicked Good is ranked #33 as an e-book in Special Needs - Parenting section on Amazon.

   Here's the link: Wicked Good

   Thanks for your support.

   Amy and Jo

Wicked Good - Rory salutes Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T10:18:00.001-04:00

Wicked Good - Events and Media Coverage/SAVE THE DATE

2011-05-24T16:09:00.001-04:00

SAVE THE DATE: JULY 16, 2011 AT 1:00PM
SOLD OUT - LOOK FOR NEW DATE TO BE ADDED

We are pleased to announce our

WICKED GOOD BOOK LAUNCH GOURMET LUNCHEON

including prizes and surprises!

July 16, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at 11th Street Annex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Amy and Joanne will both attend.

This event will be limited to 25 people. RSVP only. Leave a comment on the blog or e-mail us at jtawnylewis@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Let us know how many in your party.

Cost: $30.00 including gourmet lunch, hardcopy of Wicked Good and other goodies.

Sorry, credit cards are not accepted.

More information to follow.

Other WICKED GOOD Events and Media Coverage:

INTERVIEWS/GUEST SPOTS

READ PRE-PUBLISHING INTERVIEW OF AMY AND JOANNE AT: www.jodiwebb.com/news/wicked-good-co-writing/

April 11, 2011 JOANNE APPEARED AS GUEST BLOGGER ON GELATI’S SCOOP:

http://gelatisscoop.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-post-amy-faircloth-co-author-of.html

APRIL 12, 2011 AMY APPEARED AS GUEST BLOGGER ON GELATI’S SCOOP:

http://gelatisscoop.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-post-amy-faircloth-co-author-of_12.html

APRIL 22, 2011 AMY AND JOANNE APPEARED ON THE GZONE, GIOVANNI GELATI’S INTERNET RADIO SHOW

MAY 24, 2011 JOANNE APPEARED ON INTERNET RADIO SHOW ALONGSIDE DR. STEPHEN SHORE, CO-AUTHOR OF UNDERSTANDING AUTISM FOR DUMMIES: RADIO SHOW

JUNE 13, 2011 AMY AND JOANNE TO APPEAR ON BLOGTALK RADIO SHOW AUTHOR PANEL - AND IT’S ALSO OUR BROTHER WARREN’S BIRTHDAY!

JULY 19, 2011 9:00 AM GUEST SPOT ON BLOGTALK RADIO.

VIDEOS

VIEW VIDEO INSPIRED BY WICKED GOOD AT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eKV0Yg_9M0&feature=channel_video_title

BOOK SIGNINGS/SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

MAY 20, 2011 AMY SPOKE ABOUT WICKED GOOD AND WRITING AT HAMPDEN ACADEMY (HAMPDEN, MAINE) TO MRS. FINDLEN’S HIGH SCHOOL WRITING CLASS

JUNE 1, 2011 JOANNE WILL BE GUEST AT FORT LAUDERDALE BOOK GROUP THAT WILL BE DISCUSSING WICKED GOOD

JULY 16, 2011 BOOK LAUNCH LUNCHEON AT 11TH STREET ANNEX, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA. AMY AND JOANNE BOTH TO ATTEND. INFORMATION TO FOLLOW

JULY 23, 2011 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. AMY TO APPEAR AT BOOK SIGNING AT BOOKSTACKS BOOK STORE IN BUCKSPORT, MAINE

JULY 25, 2011 - AUGUST 20, 2011 AMY AND JO TO TAKE PART IN BLOG BOOK TOUR

AUGUST, 2011 BOOK SIGNING IN SOUTHERN PINES, NORTH CAROLINA IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHEF WARREN'S (OUR BROTHER'S RESTAURANT)

OCTOBER 11, 2011 6:30PM WICKED GOOD EVENT SPONSORED BY FLORIDA CENTER FOR THE BOOK AT THE BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, FORT LAUDERDALE

OTHER NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

MARCH 25, 2011 WICKED GOOD BECAME AVAILABLE AS E-BOOK ON AMAZON FOR THE KINDLE, SEE BUY WICKED GOOD FOR INFORMATION

APRIL 28, 2011 WICKED GOOD BECAME AVAILABLE AS AN E-BOOK ON BARNES & NOBLE FOR THE NOOK, SEE BUY WICKED GOOD FOR INFORMATION

EVERY DAY, AMY WILL BE VOLUNTEERING AT HUMANE SOCIETY

APRIL 9, 2011 JOANNE & PHIL PARTICIPATED IN WALK FOR AUTISM AT NOVA UNIVERSITY IN DAVIE, FLORIDA

MAY 1, 2011 AMY, RISA & GRIMBLEY PARTICIPATED IN WALK FOR AUTISM IN BANGOR, MAINE

JUNE 15, 2011 WICKED GOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE AS HARDCOVER NOVEL

NOVEMBER, 2011 COLLECTIBLE EDITION OF WICKED GOOD WILL BE RELEASED FOR THE HOLIDAYS TO INCLUDE CHAPTERS FROM WICKED WISE, THE SECOND NOVEL IN THE “WICKED” SERIES, A FOREWARD BY DR. DIANE ADREON OF CENTER FOR AUTISM AND RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT (IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI AND NOVA UNIVERSITY) AND OTHER AWESOME FEATURES

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.AMYANDJOANNE.COM

AS THIS LIST IS UPDATED FREQUENTLY.

Amy and Joanne are available for book signings, workshops, to appear at bookgroups and other appearances in person, via Skype or conference call. Contact us at amyandjoanne@gmail.com

Thanks to all our family, friends and fans.

You are wicked awesome!!!

Amy and Jo

Wicked Good - The Value Of That

2011-05-20T16:03:00.000-04:00

I spend a lot of my time trying to figure out how to get our novel Wicked Good into the hearts and minds of strangers. I know my friends and family will read the book, if they haven’t already done so. And I appreciate all of you more than I can properly express. But now that the hardcover is going to be released in less then one month – it’s time for Wicked Good to reach broader exposure. People who don’t know me or Amy. The question is – how?

I’ve read books and blogs on marketing novels. I’ve had in-depth conversations with my writing friends who have already published novels and are asking the same question as me. And I’ve taken all of the advice – almost.

I’m on Facebook. My friend Steven who is a writer on the verge of being published has over 3000 friends. He believes that once he gets the publishing contract step one of his marketing plan will be in place. My friend Michael, also a writer who will most likely be published one day, has 30 friends. His logic: I only want “real” friends. I see the value in both points of view. I try to friend new people weekly but I still cherish my “real” friends.

I’m on Twitter but I don’t really get it. It seems like people on Twitter just want to advertise something or someone or themselves. People tweet about this book or that product or this interview and then mix in a comment on the weather or what movie they’ve seen to make it look like they’re not really doing what everyone else is doing. But then my father asked me to explain the difference between Twitter and Tweeter. I explained that you tweet on Twitter not twit on Tweeter. We went on-line and I showed him. He said, follow Rex Ryan, the coach of the New York Jets; which I did. The next day, Rex Ryan followed me. As a lifelong Jet fan, I definitely see the value of that!

I’m on LinkedIn. I like that one. I posted a question recently seeking to find experts on Asperger’s syndrome who might want to write a testimonial for the back cover of Wicked Good. I received five referrals. None of them came through but I see the value of that.

Amy and I will be doing a blog tour. We will be having speaking engagements, readings and book signings. I will keep posting on our blog and updating our website. I will friend more friends on Facebook and continue to banter with my “real” friends on the social network. I will tweet occasionally, hoping that Rex Ryan is paying attention.

And then I will spend in-person time with my friends like Michael and Steven. I will enjoy my family. I will write. I will play with my dog. I definitely see the value of that!

Please visit our website at www.amyandjoanne.com

Wicked Good - Did Sherlock Holmes have Asperger's syndrome?

2011-05-15T07:48:00.001-04:00

In 1887, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced the world to an isolated, socially-awkward and eccentric man named Sherlock Holmes. Under Conan Doyle’s pen, Holmes was obsessive and compulsive. He didn’t seem to have conversations but rather single-minded discourses. He had no friends other than the dedicated Watson.

Could it be, as others have suggested, that Holmes had Asperger’s syndrome?

As a writer, what interests me is how Conan Doyle created Holmes. Was he based on one person he knew or on a compilation of many? Conan Doyle was a doctor. Was the character of Holmes inspired by a patient of his or from an article he had read in a medical journal? Did Conan Doyle first describe Asperger’s syndrome more than fifty years before Hans Asperger, the Austrian physician, first reported on the syndrome?

I know there are a legion of Sherlock Holmes fans out there who can offer an opinion on Holmes’ diagnosis but whatever it may be – Sherlock Holmes appears to be the fore-runner to some modern day fictional scientists and doctors of TV fame, namely: House, Monk and (my favorite) Bones. Like Holmes, all appear to exhibit qualities associated with Asperger’s syndrome.

Wicked Good - Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T08:44:00.001-04:00

As Rory would say: "I really really love you, Mom."

Happy Mother's Day.

Amy and Jo.

Wicked Good - our first royalty check and other good news!

2011-05-05T14:40:00.000-04:00

This is our first royalty check as authors. It covers the one week we were published in the first quarter of 2011 (March 24 - March 31). It might not be much to deposit into our bank account but to us it's gazillions!

Other good news: We just learned from Trestle Press that the hardcover will be available on June 15, 2011 and will retail for $14.95. Trestle Press is also planning a collectible edition of Wicked Good to be released in November, 2011. The collectible edition will retail for $25.00 and will include chapters of Wicked Wise (the second book in the "Wicked" series), a foreward by a renowned doctor in the field of Autism, and other wicked good features.

Please check out our website at www.amyandjoanne.com. I designed it. If you have any thoughts about how to improve it, please let me know and I'll do my best to incorporate your ideas.

Thanks, as always.

Jo

Wicked Good - finally on the Barnes & Noble Nook

2011-04-30T12:49:00.004-04:00

Hi Everyone -

As an update, We have entered the next phase of the publishing of our novel, WICKED GOOD. WICKED GOOD has been selling well on Amazon for the Kindle. Here is the link:

Wicked Good

And, finally - after resolving some issues involving the cover art (ironically, the photo of the book cover is still not up), WICKED GOOD is now available on the Barnes & Noble Nook. Here is the link:

Wicked Good

We have been told by our publisher that WICKED GOOD will be available on other e-readers soon. And, we're still on target for WICKED GOOD to be released as a hardcover in mid-June.

Thank you so much to everyone for your support and good wishes regarding WICKED GOOD. The response has been overwhelming. We are thrilled. Here is an of excerpt of a review we just received from a mother with an autistic child:

I can not tell you how much I identified with Archer and how much I enjoyed Wicked Good. The book was so well written that I felt Rory’s and Archer’s pain and frustrations. Each of the main characters had a substantial story, even Wayne’s detached, unconnected and unrealistic view of raising a child with special needs was a story in itself. Wicked Good is a great book for all readers but especially for parents. Those trials and tribulations which do not kill us...make us stronger.

   Our website is finished. If you want to check it out, please go to

     www.amyandjoanne.com

   If you have read and liked WICKED GOOD, please leave a 5 star review on Amazon and/or Barnes & Noble. Apparently, the reviews are very helpful for people to notice the novel and, hopefully, read it. And thanks to those who have already left reviews. We really appreciate all of you.

Thanks again for your support of WICKED GOOD.

Amy and Jo

Wicked Good - Author photo

2011-04-25T21:29:00.000-04:00

Our publisher asked for our author photo today since they are starting pre-production on the hardcover of Wicked Good. So, here it is. Our author photo for the back of Wicked Good. Drum roll, please.......

We hope you like it.

Amy and Jo

Wicked Good - Amy and Jo did a guest blog talk radio spot

2011-04-22T10:11:00.002-04:00

Joanne Lewis co-author of Wicked Good stops by. 04/22 by GelatisScoop | Blog Talk Radio

Wicked Good - The Beaning Ceremony - Part Three of Three - It's All Wicked Good

2011-04-20T14:49:00.000-04:00

Wicked Good – The Beaning Ceremony

Part Three of Three

It’s All Wicked Good

Amy and I are receiving bean #30 in Joyce’s class tomorrow night.

Here are some fun stats related to Joyce’s classes:

The Thursday class has been going for 15 years and has received 20 of the beans. This is my class.

The Wednesday class is 8 years old and has 6 beans.

The Tuesday group is almost 3 years old and has no beans.

Other writers not in one of the groups – 4 beans.

Here is the breakdown of beans by genre:

Young Adult: 11

Picture book: 6

Non fiction: 5

General fiction/mystery (Wicked Good falls into general fiction category): 2 – this includes Wicked Good.

Middle Grade: 1

Poetry: 3

Other categories: 2

There are only 10 beans left from the pods originally brought here from Costa Rica. Luckily, Joyce has a “source” in South America to get more.

Amy and I are thrilled to be co-beaned. It’s all Wicked Good.

Wicked Good is a novel written by co-authors Amy Faircloth Lewis and Joanne Lewis. Wicked Good is available for the Kindle on Amazon (Wicked Good), for other e-readers soon and as a hardcover in June.

Wicked Good - The Beaning Ceremony - Part Two of Three

2011-04-18T17:13:00.000-04:00

Wicked Good – The Beaning Ceremony

Part Two of Three

Don’t Blink – You’ll Miss It

One of Joyce’s students and a writer whose novels feature deeply complicated and downright terrorizing plotlines returned from Costa Rica with pods from the Guanacaste tree (www.heidiboehringer.com). The Guanacaste, also known as the CaroCaro or Elephant Ear tree, is a flowering tree in the pea family. Small, green pods appear around December and stay until flowering season begins in March. She brought home two pods and gave them to Joyce who discovered there were approximately twenty beans in each.

On the eve of Joyce’s first writing student being published 15 years ago, Joyce was trying to figure out the exact way to mark this wonderful achievement. Getting published was the goal of all the writers under her tutelage and there had to be a unique way to acknowledge this rite of passage. A trophy ala the Oscars or Emmys? A certificate of achievment? Flowers and balloons? No, no and no. Not original enough. Joyce looked at the beans in front of her and like Jack and his beans that became a stalk which grew into the clouds, she knew they were magical. And she knew there was only one way to mark the wondrous accomplishment for each writer of finally getting published. The tradition of the beaning ceremony was born.

I’ve attended a few beaning ceremonies over the years. Everyone gathers at the start of the Thursday night class. Congratulations fly around the room to the soon-to-be beaned author. Those unpublished wonder when it will be their turn to receive a bean. Everyone is genuinely happy for the newly published author as we all know how hard the journey is from blank page to the bookshelves. Joyce sits at the head of the table and takes out a native American looking rattle and hands it to the person she believes will be the next to be offered a publishing contract. That person shakes the rattle. Joyce walks to the person being beaned and hands her the bean. Everyone claps. Joyce sits down and announces who will be the first to read that night. The ceremony has ended.

Don’t blink – you’ll miss it.

Five years after attending my first Thursday night writing workshop with Joyce Sweeney, I am finally receiving a bean. The beaning will be on Thursday, April 21^st. I am not getting the bean for the murder mystery I was writing when I first attended Sleuthfest and met Deborah Sharp who suggested I join Joyce’s writing group. That novel is still being shopped by my agent. I am receiving a bean for something even better, something I would have never imagined when I was first accepted into Joyce’s group – for the publishing of Wicked Good, a novel I wrote with my sister, Amy.

Coming Wednesday, April 20th: Part Three of The Beaning Ceremony, It’s All Wicked Good.

Wicked Good - The Beaning Ceremony - Part One of Three

2011-04-16T18:51:00.001-04:00

Wicked Good – The Beaning Ceremony

Part One of Three

Invitation Only

There are many traditions in Fort Lauderdale. Snow-less Christmas. Transplanted northeasterners. Fickle sports fans. Snowbirds. And, Joyce Sweeney’s Beaning Ceremony.

Let me start from the beginning. It was 2006 and I was attending Sleuthfest, a spectacular writing conference put on each year by the South Florida chapter of Mystery Writer’s of America (Sleuthfest is also a tradition). I was working on a murder mystery and at the conference I met Deborah Sharp, (www.deborahsharp.com), author of the cozy Mama series. Deb, a retired USA Today reporter, took me under her writing wing and suggested I join Joyce Sweeney’s Thursday night writing workshop group (www.joycesweeney.com).

“What’s a writing workshop?” I asked Deb, daring to sound stupid.

“Published and unpublished writers read about fifteen pages of their work to the group and get critiqued.”

“Sounds scary.”

“It is at first but, trust me, it’s worth it.”

Those words trust me coming from an author whose books have featured poisoned chili, a dead body in the trunk of a convertible and a murdered wedding caterer made me nervous. But, trust her I did.

“Oh,” Deb added, “Joyce only accepts writers by invitation.”

I exhaled forcefully. Why did every step of the writing process seem to involve another test? But, like all stubborn writers, I plowed forward. I sent a writing sample to Joyce and waited. Would I be accepted into the upper echelons of the Fort Lauderdale writing scene? Or was Deb setting me up, trying to get the plot for her next novel? Writer worries herself to death.

Soon, I received an e-mail from Joyce. I was in! I was ecstatic and petrified. Fifteen pages in hand, I attended the first Thursday night group and was immediately welcomed by Joyce’s band of merry and eclectic authors. It seemed like all types of people were represented in the group. The affable tenth grade teacher who writes young adult novels. The wise poetess stricken by polio when she was young who whirrs into the workshop in a power chair (www.BrendaSerotte.com). The Sun Sentinel reporter whose novels are edged with tension like a steamy Florida night. And the yacht chef who writes memoirs peppered with recipes and brings dessert to each group meeting (www.victoriaallman.com).

I didn’t read that first night but I did learn about the beaning ceremony. The beaning ceremony began in 1996 as a way to honor the first of Joyce’s steeds who went from unpublished to published. On that first Thursday night in Joyce’s class, I knew that was my goal. I wanted to be beaned.

Coming Monday, April 18^th: Part Two of The Beaning Ceremony, Don’t Blink – You’ll Miss It.

Wicked Good - Amy's Guest Post Blog

2011-04-13T07:23:00.001-04:00

Here is the link to Amy's guest post blog:

http://gelatisscoop.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-post-amy-faircloth-co-author-of_12.html

Wicked Good - Jo's Guest Blog Post

2011-04-11T15:24:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,

I am a guest poster/blogger (not sure of the proper term here) on the Gelati Scoop blog. Amy will be the guest poster/blogger tomorrow. Here is the link:

http://gelatisscoop.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-post-amy-faircloth-co-author-of.html

I'll post Amy's link on Wednesday. Enjoy.

Wicked Good - Update

2011-04-08T17:55:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone. Just wanted to give you a few updates on Wicked Good.

The big news is that we learned from our publisher, Trestle Press, that Wicked Good will be released as a hardcover in June. Amy and I are busy calling photographers to find out about getting a professional photo done for the back cover. We have to step things up if we’re going to compete with the big authors. We’ve already decided not to use the photographer who said she can’t remove blemishes.

We have launched our website at www.amyandjoanne.com. I designed it so please feel free to offer any comments on how the website can be improved.

Wicked Good is selling very well on Amazon for the Kindle, Kindle for Iphone, Ipad, Mac, Blackberry and Android. We are still waiting for Wicked Good to be available on other e-readers such as the SONY e-reader and the Barnes and Noble NOOK. I have been keeping a list of all the SONY and NOOK users so I’ll let you all know when Wicked Good is ready for downloading on your e-readers.

Amy and I have been asked to do guest posts on the Gelati Scoop blog. Giovanni Gelati has a very popular blog and internet radio show. When I tried to friend him on Facebook I was denied since he already has 5000 friends. And was that really Catherine Zeta Jones I saw as one of his friends? We'll let you know when our guest posts are posted.

On April 22nd, Amy and I are going to be guests on Gelati's internet radio show. We'll keep you updated on that.

We’ve ordered bookmarks. If you want some and need me to mail them to you, let me know. This is what they look like:

We have our first book group request. It’s for a book group in Florida in June so only I will be able to go. Amy and I hope to get Wicked Good out to many different book groups all over the world. We will also be setting up book signings in Florida, Maine and hopefully other locations too.

Finally, we are about a quarter of the way through the first draft of Wicked Wise, the second book in the Wicked Series. Wicked Wise takes Archer and Rory to Boston which is great for me. Road trip!! The third book may have to be called Wicked Waikiki.

Please continue to recommend Wicked Good to your friends and family. And if you haven’t done so yet, please write a 5 star review for Wicked Good on Amazon. Go to www.amazon.com and search Wicked Good Lewis or Wicked Good Faircloth, click on the reviews and then write your own review. Don't forget to give us 5 stars.

That’s it for now, my friends. Thanks as always for your support of Wicked Good.

Wicked Good - we made our first top 20 list.

2011-04-06T10:51:00.002-04:00

The Gelati’s Scoop/The G-ZONE Top 20 novels of the 1^st quarter of this year 2011

Hi, everybody! I have put together my top 20 picks of novels for so far this year.

1. Harlan Coben-Live Wire

2. John Locke- Everything the guy has done: Donovan Creed to Follow the Stone. This is must read stuff!

3. Layton Green- The Summoners- $.99 of kick#$%

4.Lee Goldberg-Mr. Monk on the Road- This is probably the man’s best work with this character!

5. Amy Faircloth/Joanne Lewis- Wicked Good- An amazingly intense read, captivating, it will make you cry, laugh, smile and inspire you. Do not pass this up!

6. James Patterson- Tick.Tock- I am a sucker for the main character.

7. Blake Crouch –Run-This is one of the reasons I am enjoying Horror more, great author, excellent writing.

8. Robert Crais- The Sentry- Joe Pike,need I say more?

9 .B.R. Stateham- Death of a Young Lieutenant- so well written that the WWI theme will not be a factor, but a bonus. This guy can write period. If you looking to discover a versatile author look no further!

10. Jason McIntyre- Thalo Blue- I believe I wrote something like this story into my brain pan and wouldn’t leave it. Freak show of fun, download this novel.

11.Suzanne Woods Fisher- The Search –An Amish novel ,you bet, it rocks, but Plain Folk style. Nice lady also, she was an awesome guest in The G-ZONE.

12. Preston/Child- Gideon’s Sword- I just fell in love with the character, good stuff, nice read.

13.Irene Hannon- Fatal Judgment- New series for her, same awesome quality in a novel.

14. Laurie Bowler- The Depths of Darkness- are you a vampire freak, this one is for you.Plenty of blood and romance for all.

15.Alex Berenson- The Secret Soldier- One of my favorite characters by an awesome author.

16. Brad Meltzer- The Inner Circle- what a conspiracy in the Nation’s Capital, do tell? Well he did and it was fun,if you haven’t tried it don’t hesitate.

17.Beth Groundwater- Deadly Currents- what you ask ,a tall Italian guy in raging white water? Why not, it sounds fun.

18.Siabello Giorello- The Mountains Bow Down- I thought I would give them a chance before I kicked them down like other tall buidings I have. Good novel.

19. J.E. Seymour- Lead Poisoning- This has nothing to do with a number 2 pencil, just thought I would clue you in.

20. Joanne Thompson- Stars Collide- you know anytime that your daughter takes a book from you and doen’t give it back it is a keeper.

What are you reading today? Have you checked out our new blogtalk radio show The G-ZONE? Check us out and become our friend on Shelfari, The Novel Spot &Twitter. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Amazon Banner on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com

Wicked Good - is number one!

2011-04-04T16:21:00.000-04:00

After being published only 8 days, Wicked Good is the number one best seller

for our publisher, Trestle Press.

Sometimes, there are no words. And that says a lot coming from a couple of writers.


		Wicked Good

Wicked Good - shout out

2011-04-03T12:21:00.003-04:00

This is a link to an article on traditional v. non-traditional publishing with a shout out to me and Amy and our novel, Wicked Good. Follow link below then scroll down to Traditional, What is Traditional Anymore? Thanks, Jo

Great Guest Post from Giovanni Gelati, host extraordinaire of New Jersey's "The G-Zone" Blog Talk Radio Program which I will be appearing on this Thursday, April 7, 12PM EST

The Vincent Zandri Vox: The G-Zone's Giovanni Gelati, Unleashed!

vincentzandri.blogspot.com

I have to say I was taken aback by Vincent Zandri when he said to me, “Yo G, How about you guest post on The Vox?” I mean let’s face facts, I am not in the man’s stratus when it comes to the written word and I don’t really mean to bring down everyone to my reading and writing ability, but here goes:

Wicked Good - News Flash!

2011-03-30T14:36:00.000-04:00

Wicked Good is already the second most popular book ever published by Trestle Press. And we've only been available on Amazon for 5 days. Thanks everyone. Please tell your friends about Wicked Good.

Go to http://www.amazon.com/ and search Wicked Good Lewis.

It's available for the Kindle for $2.99.

Soon, it will be available on other e-readers.

In June, it will be available as printed book.

Wicked Good - link to Amazon

2011-03-28T23:43:00.003-04:00

Check out this page.

Wicked Good
by Joanne Lewis and Amy Lewis Faircloth

(3 customer reviews)

Kindle Price:

$2.99

Auto-delivered wirelessly

Wicked Good - on Amazon

2011-03-26T16:29:00.000-04:00

Wicked Good is officially published. It is on Amazon and available as an e-book for the Kindle. The Nook next. As a printed novel in June. The World - soon! To see Wicked Good on Amazon, please go to www.amazon.com and search Wicked Good Lewis. We're off and running!!!

Wicked Good - the final cover!

2011-03-22T10:10:00.000-04:00

Wicked Good - Cover Art Part 3 - the saga for the perfect cover continues...

2011-03-19T17:09:00.001-04:00

We heard from our publisher this morning. They like the photo we've chosen to be on the cover of Wicked Good but are having a hard time blending the brown grass with the green of the trees. They're working on it. We'll post the cover as soon as we get it. Enjoy the moon tonight. Jo

Wicked Good - Cover Art Part 2

2011-03-17T22:50:00.000-04:00

Here is another prospective cover using the willow tree as a theme:

We still didn't like it. We realized that while in Wicked Good the willow represents being strong - bending but not breaking - as an image it is kind of creepy. Amy said: "why don't we put a boy on the cover? I look at every book with a boy on the cover." Since Amy represents the demographic that would most likely read Wicked Good, I agreed. I then went searching on the Internet for a photo of a mother and a boy that I could show our publisher as an example of what we thought would make a good cover image. After a few hours of trying to find just the right image and being concerned with copyright issues, I realized that my own photo library was extensive and I wouldn't sue myself if I used one of my own photos. And then, the lightbulb went off. I immediately knew the perfect photo. I just had to get Amy to agree. I am pleased to say that she did.

We are still waiting to see what our publisher will do with the cover but here is the photo that we would like to see used in the design:

We hope you like this idea. Stay turned for the next post: Wicked Good - Cover Art Part 3.

-Jo

Wicked Good - Cover Art

2011-03-16T10:46:00.000-04:00

Here are the first two proposals for the cover of Wicked Good. None of us care for it but it's a start. It makes me think of a ghost story. Back to the drawing board!

Wicked Good - Kill Your Darlings

2011-03-15T12:01:00.000-04:00

   Not much to report yet on the publishing of Wicked Good. It is in the editing stage. It will be interesting to see what changes Trestle Press think are necessary. I've been writing since I was about 10 years old (it all began with a book on the weather that I covered in wallpaper which was placed in my elementary school library) and one of the most popular writing rule has always been:

   Kill Your Darlings.

   William Faulkner said that. There has been a lot written about what he meant. What I get out of it is: if you want to be published, you have to be willing to cut the bad and the good. Okay, I can groove with that. The other day, I wrote a chapter for Wicked Wise, the second book in the Wicked series, where Archer leaves her office and goes for a drive after she becomes upset by a fellow attorney. (Been there!). Archer meets Christopher and...I don't want to give too much away. Amy read the chapter and thought Wicked Wise should go in a different direction. I complained and said but the chapter was really good. And I think it was. But ultimately, Amy was right. (Please don't tell her I said that.) Anyway, I am saving the chapter on my computer to see if I can use all or part of it in another place in Wicked Wise. So, my darling is on life support but it may breathe on its own again!

   As for Trestle Press editing Wicked Good, I'm looking forward to reviewing their proposed changes; and learning. And while Amy and I might have to kill a few of our darlings, we might be able to resurrect them in a future Wicked novel.

   -Jo

Wicked Good - is being published

2011-03-11T10:38:00.001-05:00

Dear Reader,
   Last night, we committed to Trestle Press as the publisher of Wicked Good. They are a small press with 12 authors so far. Wicked Good will be published in e-format and will be available on Amazon, B&N, etc. and for the Kindle, Nook, and so forth. Also, Wicked Good will be available in print-on-demand format through Amazon and other websites. We are very very excited. Book stores will be able to order WG if they want however we think our best chance of making an impact with WG is through the Internet. We've already seen this through our blog where we've had readers from all over the world. Trestle Press found us through our blog. Trestle Press has a wonderful marketing scheme so we are hopeful Wicked Good will get out there even more. They are also interested in the second book of the series which we are working on. The title is Wicked Wise.
   We will be using this blog to share our publishing journey with you. We will be taking down the chapters but not the other posts. The chapters will be deleted by the end of the day today. The Daily Puppy, of course, will remain.
   That's the update. Stay tuned and thanks for your support.
-Amy and Jo

Willows bend but do not break

Wicked Good - Chapters One and Two

2011-02-23T08:32:00.005-05:00

Chapter One

"Mom, I don’t feel safe." Fifteen-year-old Rory Falcon said.

Archer Falcon opened her eyes and tried to focus on the illuminated hands on the clock beside her bed. It was either ten minutes after midnight or two in the morning. A cool September breeze blew through the open window. A Bangor, Maine sanitation truck rolled along the street, whirling brushes spraying water and sweeping the road.

Lit by a moonbeam, Rory paced at the foot of her bed, following the path he had previously worn in the carpet. Five steps forward, five steps back. Repeat.

I don’t feel safe. Archer knew the meaning of the words. Rory's counselors used it; the high school used it; the psychiatrists used it. He was contemplating suicide.

She pulled the string on the faux Tiffany lamp next to the bed, feeling tears in the back of her eyes and tightness in the hallows of her throat. She looked at him to assess. There were no new cuts on his arms or chest. His face had narrowed over the last year and his chest and shoulders had broadened. His deep blue eyes were watery and sad. His mop of golden hair was mussed. He was wearing black flannel pajama bottoms peppered with white skulls. He wore black, even his pajamas, so people would not approach him.

Archer had prepared a written list years ago for moments like this. She no longer needed to refer to it. She had it memorized.

Speak quietly. Assess the situation. Keep calm. Involve Rory in his own care. Call crisis hotline. Call psychiatrist. Go to Emergency Room.

He stopped moving and faced her. Dark circles lurked under his eyes.

"Have you slept at all?" Archer asked.

"No, and I have a really bad headache." He pointed to the top of his head. A tear escaped down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away.

What were the best options? She didn't want to take him to the emergency room since she didn’t want him admitted to the psychiatric hospital. The last time he had been there, four years ago, he had befriended a boy who had stabbed his cousin over a Nintendo game. He didn't need to learn anything else from the teenagers there. Tomorrow was the first day of school. Would this latest crisis end by morning or would he miss the start of tenth grade?

Archer slid out of bed. “I’ll get you some Tylenol.”

In the bathroom, she shook the red and white bottle until two caplets landed in her palm, giving her just enough time to make a decision.

She returned to her room. “Let’s call the crisis hot-line.”

No longer necessary. For the moment. Five foot nine inch Rory had taken her place in bed, wrapped from head to toe in her blanket. She touched his cheek, smoothed his hair, loving the feel of him, hoping he would find his way.

Chapter Two

At her office, Archer leaned back in her chair and thought about that morning. Rory had insisted on going to school. He hadn’t wanted to miss the first day. She had felt anxious. She wanted to excuse him from school so she could watch him “eyes on”, as the experts said. He probably would be fine. He had made his own lunch, searched for the specific black t-shirt he wanted to wear and left on his bicycle for school in a good mood.

Archer looked at the document on her desk. Motion to Decrease Child Support. She shook her head, felt anger boil in the pit of her stomach. This time, it wasn’t a client hiring her to defend the motion. It had been filed by Wayne, Rory’s father.

“What a loser,” Archer said.

“What?” Delores, her secretary, called from another room.

“Nothing.” She put the pleading down and picked up the phone, about to dial Wayne’s number, then stopped. Talking to him would get her nowhere. As usual. She thought about her response to the motion. Would You’re An Asshole be legally sufficient?

Delores walked into her office, dropping several pieces of mail on Archer’s desk. “Did you want me to schedule mediation for the Tamina case?”

“Yes, and I put some pleadings on your desk for Goodrich. I’ll need those to go out today.” Archer turned in her chair and looked at the mementos and photos of Rory hung on her law office wall, crooked no matter how many times she straightened them.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” Delores said. “Judge Morton called again. He said to remind you of your plans for lunch and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Do you know what he’s talking about? I don’t have that on your calendar.”

Archer shuffled through her mail. She knew what he was talking about but didn’t want to say, yet. The phone rang. As Delores left her office, Archer stuffed the linen envelope from the Governor’s Judicial Appointment Committee into her purse.

She turned again to her wall. Rory with Grandma Rose and The Little Mermaid at Disney World. The story Rory had written in second grade that began “onca pana time”. The note from his sixth grade Assistant Principal congratulating Rory for not being sent to detention for an entire month, failing to mention that for two weeks, school had been closed for winter break. The photo of three-year-old Rory with his head in the dog’s bowl.

Her favorite photo was of four month old Rory wrapped in the little yellow blanket she had brought him home in. Only his perfectly round face was visible. His eyes were wide and alert. His mouth was formed in a happy oval.

At first, it had been cute when Rory would insist he sit under the rotating ceiling fans at Wal-Mart. It had been endearing that he would not go to day care without his toy dump truck, its wheels worn down from the constant pressure of his spinning. It had been funny that his pounding on the floor at day care during nap time disturbed the prickly principal on the floor below. His behaviors became less cute when he was almost kicked out of kindergarten for spinning on his bottom during circle time and refusing to stop. And then there was the one parent-teacher conference Archer would never forget.

“I’m retiring,” Rory’s first grade teacher had said, “unless you get Rory to behave.”

Archer had tried and failed. The teacher retired.

Could she commit to a judgeship and parenting Rory?

Delores’ voice rang out on the intercom, “Kara’s on line one.”

Archer snapped out of her trance and froze for a moment. Why would Kara, her best friend and the school principal, be calling her so early?

She picked up the phone. “Is he alright?”

“He’s drunk. Get over here. Now.”

Wicked Good - Another favorite swordfish recipe from Archer and Amy (by Victoria Allman, yacht chef and award winning author)

2011-02-23T07:02:00.000-05:00

Calabrian Swordfish

with Garlic, Lemon and Capers

4 swordfish steaks

2 lemons, juiced

¼ cup olive oil

1 teaspoon sea salt

36 grinds of black pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 cup dry white wine

4 cups chicken stock

1 head of garlic, peeled and sliced thin

2 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped

3 tablespoons capers

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 lemon, quartered

2 tablespoons olive oil

¼ teaspoon fleur de sel (flaky sea salt)

In a large bowl, marinate swordfish in lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper and oregano for 15 minutes.

In the meantime, bring white wine, chicken stock and 1 head of garlic to a boil in a wide-lipped skillet that will fit all 4 swordfish steaks in a single layer (this may need to be done in 2 different pots to have enough room).

Reduce the heat to medium to simmer and add swordfish and marinade to the skillet. Simmer for 6 minutes and gently flip the fish to simmer for an additional 6 minutes on the other side.

Remove the swordfish from the skillet and place on individual plates. Spoon half a cup of the cooking liquid over the fish dividing garlic equally. Garnish each fish with Italian parsley, capers, and red pepper flakes. Squeeze a quarter of the lemon over each fish. Drizzle olive oil over the top and sprinkle with fleur de sel.

Serves 4

Trish and Jo's Vegetarian Version: Easy to substitute tofu for the fish. Marinate it the same as the swordfish and then sear it for 30 seconds in a hot pan on each side before poaching it in the liquid. Substitute vegetable stock for chicken stock.

Thanks, Victoria Allman, for another great recipe. Victoria is the author of

Sea Fare: A Chef's Journey Across the Ocean and

SEAsoned: A Chef's Journey With Her Captain

available at: www.amazon.com

www.victoriaallman.com

Wicked Good - what the critics are saying...Sahily F., Arcadia, CA

2011-02-21T09:22:00.002-05:00

   Sahily discovered Wicked Good on this blog and e-mailed me to say she was reading it. I asked her if she wanted me to e-mail the entire manuscript to her. This was her response:

   "I would love to have the entire manuscript but I must say though, I was so intrigued after reading the first chapter that I started clicking away and found your blog archives and spent a good part of my day today reading the first 39 chapters! Just could not stop myself and am thinking of going home tonight and reading some more! I see a lot of myself in Archer."

   Sahily, February 16, 2011 at 12:28 a.m.

   Then, I received an e-mail from Sahily later that day at 5:12 p.m.

   "I actually couldn't stop reading last night and finished the rest of it on your blog site! Major kudos to you and your sister, amazing job. I am very much looking forward to the continuing adventures of Archer and Rory!"

   Thanks, Sahily! Jo

Wicked Good - A Wicked Good Contest Press Release

2011-02-17T15:15:00.003-05:00

A WICKED GOOD CONTEST PRESS RELEASE

The Contest: Amy and Jo are proud to announce a wicked good contest:

WHAT DO YOU THINK WICKED WISE (THE SECOND BOOK IN THE WICKED SERIES) SHOULD BE ABOUT?

How do I enter?: Write your answer in the comment section below or e-mail it to jtawnylewis@gmail.com.

The Judge: The esteemed interviewer, Paul Bunyan.

The Prize: The first place winner receives a personalized, autographed copy of award-winning author and chef Victoria Allman's book SEAsoned: A Chef's Journey With Her Captain (see Swordfish recipe previously posted on February 14, 2011). The second and third place winners receive our kudos. All entrants will receive autographed copies of Wicked Good if it's ever published!

The Contest deadline: Thursday, February 24, 2011 at midnight (only because that's our mom's birthday!)

The Disclaimer: Amy and Jo are not required to use the winning entry as the plot or subplot for Wicked Wise but if we decide to steal some or all of the idea you can't sue us (pretty please?!).

Wicked Good - what the critics are saying...Anne W., Bangor, Maine

2011-02-15T12:43:00.000-05:00

"Amy - I am in awe of you and Joanne. The raw poignancy of the story combined with the style of prose had me eagerly awaiting each new chapter. Cheers!"

Anne W., Bangor, Maine

Wicked Good - Archer and Amy's favorite swordfish recipe (by Victoria Allman, yacht chef and award-winning author)

2011-02-14T12:34:00.001-05:00

Swordfish En Papillote

(baked in paper)

This is an easy and tasty way to cook fish. You create a steam oven with the paper that keeps all the flavor and juices in the package while cooking. The vegetables and steam create a sauce for your fish.

2 lemons, juiced

12 sprigs thyme, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ cup olive oil

1 teaspoon sea salt

18 grinds black pepper

6-6 oz swordfish steaks

¼ cup olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

½ red onion, sliced thin

1 orange pepper, sliced thin

1 yellow pepper, sliced thin

1 zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and sliced thin

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

2 tablespoons capers, chopped roughly

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

12 grinds black pepper

6-2 foot pieces parchment paper

In a large bowl, mix the lemon juice, thyme, garlic, olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Whisk together and remove 1/3 of a cup. Set aside. Marinate swordfish in remaining mixture for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a heavy-bottomed frying pan, sauté the olive and garlic for 2 minutes to golden. Add red onion and sauté 2 more minutes. Add orange and yellow peppers and sauté for 2 more minutes. Add zucchini and sauté an additional minute. Add cherry tomatoes, capers, red wine vinegar, sea salt and pepper and remove from heat.

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

Lay one swordfish steak in the center of each of the parchment paper pieces. Divide the vegetables evenly on top of the fish. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the reserved lemon/olive oil mix over each bundle.
Fold the paper up like you are wrapping a present and crimp each end to seal and secure all the juices inside the envelope.

Place the paper package on a cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Either, open the packages and slide the contents out onto a plate of rice or, serve them in the packages so that when the guests tear open the paper they get the first waft of aromatic steam that rises from the fish.

Serves 6

TRISH and JO (who are vegetarians) like Victoria's non-fish alternatives: substitute seared tofu, portabella mushroom or a circle of butternut squash for the swordfish. If you use squash, increase cooking time by 20-30 minutes.

Thank you VICTORIA ALLMAN for this delicious recipe. Victoria is a chef on a yacht and the award-winning author of two memoir/cookbooks: Sea Fare: A Chef's Journey Across the Ocean and SEAsoned: A Chef's Journey With Her Captain. You can buy her books at www.amazon.com or visit her website at www.victoriaallman.com.

Wicked Good - Life is Good Award

2011-02-11T12:25:00.000-05:00

Congratulations! Reads, Reviews, Recommends has chosen your blog for the Life is Good Award: http://kateevangelistarandr.blogspot.com/2011/02/life-is-good-award.html

Thanks, Kate. We appreciate your support of Wicked Good.
-Amy and Jo

Wicked Good - Amy and Jo Interview - Part Four

2011-02-09T14:09:00.000-05:00

Amy and Jo Interview – Part Four

Live from Bass Park, Bangor, Maine

This is Paul Bunyan’s fourth interview of us. You can read the previous interviews by scrolling down below The Daily Puppy, go to Blog Archive, then

Amy and Jo Interviews 1 and 2: go to 2010, December, and scroll down to Amy and Jo Interview – Part One and Part Two.

Amy and Jo Interview 3: go to 2011, January, and scroll down to Amy and Jo Interview – Part Three.

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

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

PB: I just finished reading Wicked Good. That was awesome.

Amy and Jo: Thanks.

PB: Now that you’ve posted the final chapter of Wicked Good, what are your plans for the novel?

Jo: We’re hoping to get it published traditionally. If not, we’ll have to see what we want to do.

Amy: Getting it published traditionally would be great but we’ve achieved our goal which was to keep working on Wicked Good together and having fun.

Jo: And we’ve started the next book in the series, Wicked Wise.

Amy: We’ll be posting the first chapter soon.

Jo: What if we don't get it finished?

Amy: We will. And we can always change it. No one will remember.

PB: Will you blog Wicked Wise too?

Jo: Maybe when it’s finished. We’re going to post chapter one as a teaser so fans of Wicked Good will keep Archer and Rory in the backs of their minds. When Wicked Wise is ready to be shared with the world, readers will feel as if they’ve been reunited with old friends.

PB: Any hints as to what is going to happen in Wicked Wise?

Amy: It will continue to follow Rory as he leaves his teens and tries to figure out where he wants to take his life. And while Archer feels helpless - like most parents who have to let their children live and learn on their own - she becomes empowered too.

Jo: Wicked Wise will be different from Wicked Good in that it involves a completely new adventure, new challenges and some new characters.

Amy: And while Wicked Good was about unconditional love…

Jo: Wicked Wise is about acceptance of who we are, imperfections and all.

PB: That sounds great. When can we expect to get a sneak preview of chapter one?

Jo: In the next few days. And while we will not be blogging every day as we’ve been doing, there will be some additional features and updates on the Wicked Good blog.

Amy: And don’t forget, if any readers want us to send Wicked Good to their Kindle or other e-reader, or to their e-mail address, we’d be happy to do so. Just leave a comment for us on the blog or e-mail us at wickedgoodthebook@gmail.com.

Jo: And if you’ve enjoyed reading about Archer and Rory, please tell all your friends.

PB: Thank you, Amy and Jo. I loved reading Wicked Good. This statue wishes you a woodpile of success. Until our next interview, this lumberjack is signing out.

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...Minda A. from NY

2011-02-07T07:22:00.000-05:00

"Just finished chapter 80. Not just "wicked good".....wicked FABULOUS!!!! When you originally mentioned that there were 80 chapters, I was concerned how long it would take to read and if you would really be able to hold up the intrigue. WOW! The chapters just flew by. It was like an addiction. I couldn't wait until I received the next chapter. I can't thank you enough for sharing. Good luck on the next book. Can't wait to read what's happening in their lives. You've created real people! I feel like I know them and I actually care what happens to them...without having the burden of having to do anything for them, except feel sorry for them, love them and root for them!"

-Minda A. New York

Wicked Good - Rory says I know who's going to win the Super Bowl

2011-02-05T08:29:00.001-05:00

   "I know who's going to win the Super Bowl," Rory says.

   "Who?" Trish asks.

   "The Green Bay Packers."

   Trish playfully smacks him in on the arm. "Since when do you like sports?"

   "I don't. Unless it's lawn mower racing. But I know the Packers are going to beat the Steelers. Look at the colors of their uniforms."

"Green and yellow. So what?"

"They're dressed just like the Monster Mowchine!"

What the critics are saying - Anne A. from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

2011-02-02T18:15:00.000-05:00

"Joanne, Wicked Good is terrific. I have moved my computer chair out of the way and instead placed my rocker and my favorite blankie here at my PC at home so I may read what you and your sister have written. Love so much of it; those of us who know the Northeast will appreciate the photos and can relate to so much – both visually and verbally. GREAT JOB. My friends with teens – please read!"

Anne A., Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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

2011-01-30T20:07:00.001-05:00

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

2011-01-19T19:00:00.000-05:00

"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

2011-01-19T08:02:00.001-05:00

"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.

2011-01-17T09:52:00.001-05:00

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

2011-01-14T16:09:00.000-05:00

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

2011-01-11T13:31:00.002-05:00

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

2011-01-10T17:46:00.000-05:00

"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

2011-01-07T09:15:00.000-05:00

“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

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...Carol P. from California

2010-12-30T09:54:00.001-05:00

   "Just finished the whole thing. It's awesome - or should I say wicked good. I have to digest it all. Good pace and surprise ending I didn't see coming."

   Carol P., California

   Note from Amy and Jo: Carol had asked to read the entire version of Wicked Good at once and not chapter-by-chapter on the blog. So, we e-mailed the manuscript to her.

Wicked Good the photo album - VIDEO

2010-12-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

This is a photo album/video inspired by Wicked Good. TURN YOUR VOLUME UP AND ENJOY!

http://gallery.me.com/jtawnylewis#100103

Wicked Good - Why so many references to willow trees?

2010-12-24T07:23:00.000-05:00

If you’ve been following Wicked Good, you may have noticed several references to willow trees.

Archer and Rory live on Willow Street (chapter 3).

There is a willow tree outside Archer and Rory’s home (chapter 6).

In chapter 13, Rory says: “You need to have faith in me. Remember, you thought the willow tree was going to die?” He looked out the bedroom window, into the dark night, toward the willow tree, the back of the house and the City Forest. “I mean, you’re always telling me to make better choices but if you don’t trust me, what’s the point?”

When Kitty first runs from Archer in The Crow’s Nest, she chants a spell that includes mention of a willow tree (chapter 27).

In chapter 29, Rory is sitting on a bench with Trish, holding a small potted willow on his lap. Rory says: “It’s a baby willow tree, like the one in my front yard,” Rory said. “It has special powers. It can heal wounds and burns. The Greeks used it to relieve pain, like aspirin. Some people even think the willow has the power to heal a broken heart.”

And there are more references to come.

Why so many references to willows in Wicked Good?

Willow trees have been found in texts dating back to the Ancient Greeks. Hippocrates wrote about its medicinal properties. Native Americans have used it for its powers to heal. Willow contains salicylic acid which was used to relieve aches and pains before aspirin was discovered so the use of willow trees has a realistic foundation as well as a mystical one. Have you ever watched a willow sway in the wind? They bend but do not break. We liked the reference throughout Wicked Good due to the willow symbolizing healing and strength. And just maybe, the willow can mend a broken heart….

Wicked Good - what the critics are saying...Victoria A., Canada

2010-12-21T11:22:00.001-05:00

"It's crazy to think such stories as The Perfect Storm really happened to real people. It is interesting how you are wrapping this story around a real event. I'm hooked."

Victoria A., Canada

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...John, Bangor, Maine

2010-12-21T11:18:00.000-05:00

"I learned two things from chapter 25. First, there are two possible spellings for Thacher's. I grew up thinking it was Thatcher's Island. Second, what a ghille suit is."

John, Bangor Maine

Wicked Good - Rory says:

2010-12-20T18:12:00.000-05:00

“The Andrea Gail was a seventy two foot fishing boat. It had a crew of six men,” Archer said.

“What were they fishing for?” Rory’s head was propped up on his hand.

She lay on her back. “Swordfish.”

Rory says: “People think swordfish have a spear that comes out of their nose but it’s really their jaw. It’s wicked long and they use it to pierce prey.”

Wicked Good, chapter 14

Wicked Good - Amy and Jo Interview - Part Two

2010-12-18T07:12:00.000-05:00

Amy and Jo Interview – Part Two

Live from Bass Park, Bangor, Maine

In Paul Bunyan’s last interview of us, he asked how we decided to write Wicked Good together (see Amy and Jo Interview – Part One). He was going to interview us for Part Two on how we actually wrote the book together but that was well covered on Jodi Webb’s blog -

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

- so instead, Paul Bunyan has decided to tackle a very serious subject:

PB: Several people have asked you to write about what Aspergers Syndrome is.

Amy: Blogging Wicked Good has been an interactive experience.

Jo: We love posting the chapters and the extras like our interviews, what the critics are saying and Rory says, but the best part is when readers comment on the blog or send us e-mails.

Amy: A couple of readers have asked us to explain about Aspergers. We’re really pleased to bring some attention to AS. For starters, it’s part of the Autism Spectrum.

Jo: It’s named after Dr. Hans Asperger who founded it in 1944. He recognized a pattern with some children who were socially awkward, repeated behaviors, lacked certain communication skills and showed a lack of empathy toward others.

Amy: AS affects people with high and low IQs. Some people believe Einstein and Mozart had AS.

Jo: I’ve read that some doctors want to eliminate AS from the Autism Spectrum and instead distinguish it as high-functioning Autism.

PB: Can you speak more about the characteristics of a person with AS.

Amy: They can be social but in an awkward way. For example, they may have long, one-sided conversations or they may fail to interpret nonverbal signs correctly.

Jo: Right. If a person with AS is speaking about his favorite topic…

PB: …like how Rory loves lawn mowers….

Jo:…exactly. And if Trish were to suddenly yawn, Rory might not recognize the sign that Trish is ready for a new topic of conversation.

Amy: A person with AS might say things not suited to a conversation. For example, if Trish was talking to Rory about how her mother mistreats her and Rory changes the subject to discuss a way to fuel lawn mowers with left over popcorn butter, he’s not being rude.

PB: What are other characteristics of AS that Rory has?

Amy: Commenting out of context, poor decision-making, his obsession with lawn mowers, over reacting.

PB: Can you give an example of Rory commenting out of context?

Jo: Sure. We just posted chapter twenty-four. Rory is in a police interrogation room which for most people would provoke anxiety.

Amy: Which it does for Rory.

Jo: But when Archer walks in, he doesn’t run to her and say I’m glad you’re here, mom; or I didn’t do anything wrong. He says:

“Did you see the fisherman patch on their uniforms? That’s the same fisherman on the box of fish sticks,” he laughed. “I don’t like fish but maybe I’d like fish sticks. Think you can buy some for me?”

Amy: Totally inappropriate. But Archer is accustomed to this, and, at times, finds it endearing. Not in chapter twenty-four though.

PB: Wow, that was very informative. Thank you. You sure have taught this statue a lot. Until our next interview, this lumberjack is signing out.

Wicked Good - Rory says:

2010-12-17T15:52:00.002-05:00

Rory says:

“It’s a good thing we don’t remember being born. That would be freaky—coming out of someone’s body, that’s totally weird, isn’t it? Remember when we saw that calf being born on The Discovery Channel? How come calves can walk right after they're born but it takes humans like a year to learn how to walk? How come animals don’t crawl before they walk like we do? When did I learn to walk?”

See Chapter 22, Wicked Good

CALF, 5 MINUTES OLD

Wicked Good - A Real Interview (no offense to Paul Bunyan!)

2010-12-15T10:18:00.000-05:00

     Jodi Webb, an author who posts about writing, has posted an interview with us. Please check it out at: http://jodiwebb.com/news/wicked-good-co-writing/

    We have hit the big time!

    Go Wicked Good!

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...Marilyn, retired NYC Hofstra University Professor, now residing in New Mexico

2010-12-13T22:20:00.001-05:00

Hi Amy;

Your novel hit me right in the pit of my stomach. I have a friends who may have aspergers. Another friend has been with an aspergers man for 10 years and she diagnosed my friend. She first informed me of this only about a month ago. Before she shared this information I was not aware of this disease. I do know now that it takes many forms.

You have a story to tell. I read the 20 chapters in one sitting- just now. Your first chapter is perfect. It sets the stage and you are left wanting to know more.

I think it is well written and I want to see more. My only suggestion is that aspergers be more clearly defined. People should be made aware of this problem and I am glad that it is finally coming out.

I am proud of you.

Let me know when I can see more.

Hugs, Marilyn

Dear Marilyn,

Thank you for your very kind words! Would it be okay if we post your letter on the blog for our feature: "What the critics are saying….”

Amy

Amy - I’d be honored. Marilyn

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...Minda A. from NY

2010-12-12T21:42:00.000-05:00

Hi Jo,

Just catching up with Rory and Archer. What an emotional rollercoaster! You've certainly captured the intense personalities and emotions of the characters!! And I love the "inserts". They give the reader a "break" from having to deal with Rory. I, of course, empathize with Archer.

Is the book finished or are you writing/editing as you go along?

Has it been published?

Most importantly, are you enjoying the process?

All the best,

Minda

Dear Minda,

I'm really glad you're enjoying Wicked Good.

To answer your questions:

The book is finished. It took us over 2 years to write, revise and revise some more. Our mother's book group read it and gave us comments from which we made more revisions. It could still use a professional editing but without that, it's finished.

I am glad you like the inserts.

Wicked Good has not been published.

And yes, we are loving the process. Amy and I started writing Wicked Good to do something together. The blog is a continuation of that. We really enjoy it. And we love that people are enjoying reading about Archer and Rory.

Happy holidays, Jo

Wicked Good - Rory says:

2010-12-09T23:04:00.000-05:00

Rory says:

“...I think there should be a uniform color for gas cans. I never knew there could be so many shades of red. Why can’t they pick one color red and stick to it?...?” Wicked Good, chapter 11.

Wicked Good - Welcome To Holland (but I wanted to go to Italy!!!)

2010-12-02T09:55:00.002-05:00

Words of Inspiration & Hope
Article - Welcome to Holland

Journey of Hearts

A Healing Place in CyberSpace^TM

This inspirational article was suggested by several sources. When I read the article, I was struck by how inspiring it was for any one who had experienced a loss. More important it reminds us to not spend a lifetime mourning what might have been, but to look at a loss as an opportunity for discovering something very different, but perhaps also equally wonderful.
Welcome To Holland
by Emily Perl Kingsley
©1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved. Article printed with permission of the author.
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It’s just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.
* * *About the Author
Emily Perl Kingsley is the mother of a child with Down Syndrome, Jason.
Over the years she has done much to improve the ways in which people with disabilities are portrayed in the media. She worked as a writer for SESAME STREET, receiving many Emmy Awards and was instrumental in integrating mentally and physically disabled children and adults into the format of SESAME STREET. Her works with the National Down Syndrome Congress, National Media Council on Disability, as well as numerous publications have earned a multitude of humanitarian awards and special recognition for herself and her family.
WELCOME TO HOLLAND is her inspirational essay which has been reprinted in many languages and in many forms all over the world. Dear Abby runs this piece every October to commemorate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and it has been reprinted in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE MOTHER’S SOUL. It has been used as the theme for several disability conferences, was worked into a patchwork quilt and is the subject of a series of oil paintings. It was recently set to music as a choral piece by composer Terrence Minogue and was performed at a concert in Sacramento, California.
For the full biography of Ms. Kingsley click here.

Last updated June 30, 1998 Welcome to Holland is use with permission of the Author.All material, unless otherwise specified, is copyrighted 1997-8 by Journey of Hearts A Healing Place in CyberSpace. We invite you to share the information on this site with others who may benefit, but ask that you share from the heart only and not for profit.

Wicked Good - Amy and Jo Interview - Part One

2010-12-01T09:48:00.002-05:00

Amy and Jo Interview – Part One

Since Paul Bunyan has a brief mention in chapter fourteen of Wicked Good, he contacted us for an interview. The guy has been standing in Bass Park in Bangor for over fifty years so we figured he’s wicked bored. Anyway, when a thirty-one foot tall statue weighing almost four thousand pounds requests an interview, we were more than willing to comply.

PB: So, Amy and Jo, what made you decide to write a book together?

Amy: We thought it’d be fun.

Jo: Wicked fun.

Amy: We wanted to do something together and we knew it had to be long distance since we only get to see each other about twice a year. Jo’s been writing books for a long time so we thought it’d be neat to write one together.

Jo: Wicked neat.

PB (sneering at Jo): If the wicked jokes continue, I will have to use my ax.

Jo (swallowing hard): Yes, sir.

PB (cheery again): How did you come up with the idea for Wicked Good?

Amy: Originally, we were writing an action-adventure novel about a mad scientist who discovers a cure for cancer…

Jo: …but that cure can only be found in a very rare genetic code which only Rory possesses…

PB: So I imagine that Archer and Rory would be eager for him to donate his genes to science to cure cancer.

Amy: Yes for the cure part but no because once the gene was extracted, Rory would die.

Jo: So it was a real dichotomy for Archer.

Amy: It ended up being this long chase with Archer having conflicting feelings and Rory not knowing why people were after him and…

Jo: It was wicked, um, I mean, really boring.

Amy: Yeah, we hated writing it.

Jo: So we came up with a new idea. We loved the characters of Archer and Rory and we knew we wanted to tackle the intricacies of Autism and so…

Amy: …Wicked Good was born.

PB: Thank you very much, Amy and Jo. In our next interview live from Bass Park in Bangor, Maine, we will discuss how you actually wrote the book between Maine and Florida. Until then, this lumberjack is signing out.

Wicked Good - Winter in the City Forest, Bangor, Maine

2010-11-24T14:43:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from Amy and Jo

WICKED GOOD - THE CONTEST RESULTS

2010-11-21T08:22:00.000-05:00

It's official - it's a tie!

WICKED GOOD - A CONTEST

2010-11-18T14:25:00.001-05:00

Hello, family, friends and fans,

   Amy and I are having a contest. There are no prizes. Only gloating rights. Not for you. For us.

   Amy says she has more friends following our blog since they are constantly sending her e-mails. I say, no way, I have more friends, they're just the strong and silent type which is why they are not commenting or e-mailing me (except for Victoria and Deb!).

   So, for the next week, Amy and I are in deep competition to see who can get more comments from our peeps.

   Please help us and leave a comment stating if you are on Team Amy or Team Jo. Short and sweet is fine. Long and praise-worthy is even better.

   I look forward to your comments.

   Thanks.

Jo

Wicked Good - Introduction

2010-11-15T19:07:00.002-05:00

We are sisters who live in Maine and Florida and we wrote this book together - via e-mail, phone and sometimes in person. Wicked Good is the story of Archer Falcon and her fifteen-year-old son Rory who has Aspergers Syndrome. We are using this blog to post Wicked Good chapter-by-chapter; and will include other goodies along the way including interviews, what the critics are saying, Rory says... and more. We hope you enjoy Archer and Rory's adventure.

Jodi Webb, an author who posts about writing, has posted an interview with us. Please check it out at: http://jodiwebb.com/news/wicked-good-co-writing/

Wicked Good, a novel by Amy Lewis Faircloth and Joanne Lewis

Wicked Writing: Adding Symbolism & Subtext to Fiction

Give Them Wings and Watch Them Fly

Sisters publish novel from their blog on Asperger's syndrome

Sisters publish novel from their blog on Asperger’s syndrome

Wicked Good Blog Tour

Wicked Good by Amy Lewis Faircloth and Joanne Lewis, Blog Tour & Giveaway Contests!

Wicked Good - 2 sisters, 2 states and Asperger's Syndrome

Wicked Good - Happy Father's Day

Wicked Good - More Noise and Props for Indie Publisher - Trestle Press

Wicked Good - Top 100 E-book on Amazon

Wicked Good - Rory salutes Memorial Day!

Wicked Good - Events and Media Coverage/SAVE THE DATE

Wicked Good - The Value Of That

Wicked Good - Did Sherlock Holmes have Asperger's syndrome?

Wicked Good - Happy Mother's Day

Wicked Good - our first royalty check and other good news!

Wicked Good - finally on the Barnes & Noble Nook

Wicked Good - Author photo

Wicked Good - Amy and Jo did a guest blog talk radio spot

Wicked Good - The Beaning Ceremony - Part Three of Three - It's All Wicked Good

Wicked Good - The Beaning Ceremony - Part Two of Three

Wicked Good - The Beaning Ceremony - Part One of Three

Wicked Good - Amy's Guest Post Blog

Wicked Good - Jo's Guest Blog Post

Wicked Good - Update

Wicked Good - we made our first top 20 list.

The Gelati’s Scoop/The G-ZONE Top 20 novels of the 1st quarter of this year 2011

Wicked Good - is number one!

Wicked Good - shout out

This is a link to an article on traditional v. non-traditional publishing with a shout out to me and Amy and our novel, Wicked Good. Follow link below then scroll down to Traditional, What is Traditional Anymore? Thanks, Jo

Great Guest Post from Giovanni Gelati, host extraordinaire of New Jersey's "The G-Zone" Blog Talk Radio Program which I will be appearing on this Thursday, April 7, 12PM EST

Wicked Good - News Flash!

Wicked Good - link to Amazon

Wicked Good - on Amazon

Wicked Good - the final cover!

Wicked Good - Cover Art Part 3 - the saga for the perfect cover continues...

Wicked Good - Cover Art Part 2

Wicked Good - Cover Art

Wicked Good - Kill Your Darlings

Wicked Good - is being published

Wicked Good - Chapters One and Two

Wicked Good - Another favorite swordfish recipe from Archer and Amy (by Victoria Allman, yacht chef and award winning author)

Wicked Good - what the critics are saying...Sahily F., Arcadia, CA

Wicked Good - A Wicked Good Contest Press Release

Wicked Good - what the critics are saying...Anne W., Bangor, Maine

Wicked Good - Archer and Amy's favorite swordfish recipe (by Victoria Allman, yacht chef and award-winning author)

Wicked Good - Life is Good Award

Wicked Good - Amy and Jo Interview - Part Four

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...Minda A. from NY

Wicked Good - Rory says I know who's going to win the Super Bowl

What the critics are saying - Anne A. from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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

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

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

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

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

Wicked Good - Amy and Jo Interview - Part Three

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

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

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...Carol P. from California

Wicked Good the photo album - VIDEO

Wicked Good - Why so many references to willow trees?

Wicked Good - what the critics are saying...Victoria A., Canada

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...John, Bangor, Maine

Wicked Good - Rory says:

Wicked Good - Amy and Jo Interview - Part Two

Wicked Good - Rory says:

Wicked Good - A Real Interview (no offense to Paul Bunyan!)

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...Marilyn, retired NYC Hofstra University Professor, now residing in New Mexico

Wicked Good - What the critics are saying...Minda A. from NY

Wicked Good - Rory says:

Wicked Good - Welcome To Holland (but I wanted to go to Italy!!!)

Wicked Good - Amy and Jo Interview - Part One

Wicked Good - Winter in the City Forest, Bangor, Maine

WICKED GOOD - THE CONTEST RESULTS

WICKED GOOD - A CONTEST

Wicked Good - Introduction

The Gelati’s Scoop/The G-ZONE Top 20 novels of the 1^st quarter of this year 2011