"Once upon a time, in a mystical land, there lived a wicked and mischievous creature known as Girch the Wutch. Girch was not like any other creature one might encounter in their wildest dreams. With his emerald green eyes, long curly horns, and scaly skin, he was feared by all who knew of his existence. Girch had a reputation for stirring up trouble everywhere he went. Whether it was stealing crops from innocent farmers, causing mischief among the village children, or casting wicked spells on unsuspecting victims, he seemed to take great pleasure in causing chaos and mayhem. The villagers had tried numerous times to capture Girch or put an end to his wicked ways, but he was always one step ahead.
Huge thanks to my early reader group that helped me see that I’d protected Megan. Also, that I’d forgotten this book was written for adults, not teens, for the first time in my writing career. I could share more of the characters with readers. I could write a sex scene. I could cuss. Whoa! The freedom made me giddy at times. I hope the final version of the novel surprises you most, early readers! I rewrote the book from front to back.
We d sip wine and talk too loud I m speaking for myself there and I d do a short reading, then toast all of you for helping me reach the finish line. We d sip wine and talk too loud I m speaking for myself there and I d do a short reading, then toast all of you for helping me reach the finish line.
The villagers had tried numerous times to capture Girch or put an end to his wicked ways, but he was always one step ahead. He would use his cunning and clever tricks to outsmart his pursuers, leaving them frustrated and helpless. Despite his reputation for mischief, Girch was known to possess a hidden talent for enchanting and mesmerizing others with his magical abilities.
LAUNCH DAY for BIRCH a witch tree
In a normal year, I’d be joining together with folks at some rented venue. We’d sip wine and talk too loud (I’m speaking for myself there) and I’d do a short reading, then toast all of you for helping me reach the finish line. But this is not a normal year.
Instead, I’m celebrating the launch of my newest novel, BIRCH a witch tree, virtually, via my blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I’ll randomly shout, “Woohoo!” and scare the pets throughout the day. I’ll also overshare with loved ones via text.
Like my previous books, BIRCH a witch tree was borne of a nightmare. I’d been doing research on unusual trees and thinking about villains. My favorite villains always have a rich backstory. We find out in the telling that they were created by others, people that either hurt them or lied about them or bullied them. The villain in BIRCH a witch tree is no different. In the end you’ll scratch your head and wonder if they were bad at all.
Huge thanks to my early reader group that helped me see that I’d protected Megan. Also, that I’d forgotten this book was written for adults, not teens, for the first time in my writing career. I could share more of the characters with readers. I could write a sex scene. I could cuss. Whoa! The freedom made me giddy at times. I hope the final version of the novel surprises you most, early readers! I rewrote the book from front to back.
One final note, to my father, Gary Riley. You were with me every step of this novel; from draft to right now. Though you’re not still in the earthly sphere, I hear you cheering me on from the great beyond. You said that BIRCH was my best story yet and that it showed a deeper maturity. We did it, Dad.
If you choose to read BIRCH in one sitting, which I don’t recommend, take stretching and potty breaks. When you finish it, please consider reviewing it. Better than any monetary compensation, reviews boost us authors, encourage us to keep spinning tales.
As always, I love and care about you. Be kind. – J
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Jennifer Hotes
Raised downriver from the Hanford Nuclear Reactor, Jennifer finds her bliss raising two children in the Pacific Northwest. She writes and illustrates and when time permits walks the dog.
One final note, to my father, Gary Riley. You were with me every step of this novel; from draft to right now. Though you’re not still in the earthly sphere, I hear you cheering me on from the great beyond. You said that BIRCH was my best story yet and that it showed a deeper maturity. We did it, Dad.
He possessed a wand made from the rarest and most powerful wandwood, which enabled him to cast spells and tricks that would baffle even the wisest of wizards. However, as time went on, Girch's mischievousness began to take a toll on him. He realized that the fear and hatred he had cultivated among the villagers had left him feeling isolated and lonely. Deep down, he longed for companionship and acceptance but didn't know how to change his ways. One fateful day, a young girl named Lily stumbled upon Girch's hidden lair. Instead of being terrified like everyone else, Lily saw something different in Girch. She saw the sadness and loneliness in his eyes and felt compassion towards him. Understanding that beneath his mischievous exterior, there might be a caring and misunderstood being. Lily decided to befriend Girch and show him kindness and understanding. She would spend hours listening to Girch's stories, offering him the friendship he had always craved. Through their friendship, Girch began to change. He realized that his wickedness had only brought him misery and decided to use his magical abilities for good. With Lily's help, Girch started using his powers to protect the villagers from harm and bring joy into their lives. He used his enchantments to create beautiful gardens and heal the sick. The once feared and hated Girch had transformed into a beloved and respected guardian of the village. From that day forward, Girch the Wutch became a symbol of redemption and forgiveness. He taught everyone the importance of not judging others based on their appearance or reputation. And so, in the mystical land, Girch's name was no longer associated with mischief and chaos, but with compassion and transformation." Note: The story is purely fictional and created for entertainment purposes. Any resemblance to real-life events or individuals is purely coincidental..
Reviews for "Portraits of Girch the Wutch: Artists Depict the Enigmatic Figure"
1. Emily - 1 star
I found "Girch the wutch" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The plot was confusing and lacked any kind of compelling narrative. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it impossible to develop any kind of emotional connection with them. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable read.
2. Mark - 2 stars
"Girch the wutch" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The writing style was overly descriptive, bogging down the pace of the story and making it difficult to stay engaged. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me feeling detached from the setting and unable to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, further detracting from my overall enjoyment of the book.
3. Jessica - 1.5 stars
I had high hopes for "Girch the wutch" based on the synopsis, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The characters were poorly developed and lacked any depth or nuance, making it difficult to invest in their journey. The plot was predictable and lacked any major surprises or twists. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointing read that failed to live up to its potential.