Got a craving for a great story? Check out NOWHERE GIRL.

You know when you get a craving for something? Like candy corns. Or root beer? Or pickles?

Lately, I’ve been craving poetic writing that flows with rich language and evocative emotion but still has a great story behind it. I found that in NOWHERE GIRL by A.J. Paquette. As with most of my buys, I made this purchase after reading the first page.

Fourteen-year-old Luchi is anything but an ordinary American teenager. Born in a remote country prison in Northern Thailand, her mother’s death pushes Luchi into the outside world–and into the web of secrets that was her mother’s past. A coming-of-age story that follows a compelling character on her journey across continents, and oceans, and into a future she cannot begin to imagine.

Here it is on Amazon.

An extremely well written story, each sentence, each paragraph led me to the next one and then the next one. But it was more than just the writing. It was Luchi, the main character, and her journey to find the truth behind her family.

A thrilling story.

I asked Ms. Paquette how I could help promote NOWHERE GIRL. She mentioned there were several interviews that covered the basics. And she was right.

If you want to read about Joan’s publishing journey and how she balances being an agent and an author, click over to Anna’s blog.

“But so far there haven’t been any major conflicts, and in fact, the two roles feed off each other beautifully, each one supplying the energy and spark needed to bring out the best in the other.”

If you want to read about Joan’s writing process and how she developed such a rich character in Luchi, click over to Emu’s Debuts.

“My first drafts tend to be very slim—I definitely write short and return to add in layers afterward.”

“I love being able to immerse myself in a place and make my readers feel as if, even for just a moment, they have set foot on that ground too. What could be better than that?”

If you want to know more about researching a foreign setting and how to include that in your writing, click over to Kiss The Earth.

“Right from the start, the image of this tree-lined road burned itself clear and sharp into my mind—compounded by the fact that this road was the very one that Luchi would be traveling upon in her journey south.”

And come back on Friday when Agent Paquette answers the three top questions burning in writers’ minds today. You’ll find out Friday what they are! And about her new releases in 2012-2013.

Exciting stuff!

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24 Responses to Got a craving for a great story? Check out NOWHERE GIRL.

  1. Natalie Aguirre November 16, 2011 at 12:05 pm #

    Her book sounds awesome. I’ll add it to my list to read. Can’t wait to hear the questions and answers on Friday.

  2. anne gallagher November 16, 2011 at 1:02 pm #

    Such an exotic location for a story. I’ll be back on Friday.

    • Laura November 16, 2011 at 1:08 pm #

      Nowhere Girl is not the next Percy Jackson. But I’d put it up there with Linda Urban, Laurel Snyder. I hope this book finds an audience. It’s fascinating with the foreign setting and the emotional thread really is terrific. As a writer, if you want to read great writing and story, this is one to learn from.

  3. christine danek November 16, 2011 at 1:30 pm #

    Sounds like an interesting book. I will check out the links. I will be back on Friday. Thanks.

  4. Anna Staniszewski November 16, 2011 at 1:39 pm #

    Yay for Joan! 🙂

  5. Susan Kaye Quinn November 16, 2011 at 1:51 pm #

    I thought I recognized that name! Looks like an adorable story … and I have a friend in Thailand that might like it. 🙂

  6. Matthew MacNish November 16, 2011 at 2:05 pm #

    I’ll be interested in anything that has a character in a straw hat on the cover – I know that much.

  7. Susan R. Mills November 16, 2011 at 5:16 pm #

    Sounds good! I can’t wait til Friday.

  8. Tere Kirkland November 16, 2011 at 5:19 pm #

    I love, love, love the idea of this book. What an amazing story. Thanks for the recommendation, Laura, and best wishes, Ammi-Joan!

    ~Tere

  9. Patti November 16, 2011 at 5:22 pm #

    I love the premise of this book. Sounds like an interesting story.

  10. Jenny Lundquist November 16, 2011 at 5:31 pm #

    Thanks Laura! Adding it to my TBR pile now.

  11. Jenny Lundquist November 16, 2011 at 5:43 pm #

    Laura-
    I forgot to add earlier, I’m looking to add more MG to my TBR pile. Specifically, highly imaginative with great description. Besides Nowhere Girl, any recommendations?

    • Laura November 16, 2011 at 6:17 pm #

      Joan’s client, Anna, has a highly imaginative book out title, My Very Unfairy Tale Life. I’ll keep thinking. I’m waiting for our library to get the new Laurel Snyder book. That sounds great.

  12. amie borst November 16, 2011 at 5:56 pm #

    sounds like a great book that all three of my children would enjoy! (okay, and me, too!) it’s officially added to my list!

  13. Donna K. Weaver November 16, 2011 at 6:59 pm #

    Sounds like a fun story. Thanks for the heads up.

  14. Christina Lee November 16, 2011 at 8:17 pm #

    I’ve seen a review of this one before (thx for the reminder)–absolutely love the illustration on the cover!

    p.s. love that her drafts are slim, like mine!

    • Laura November 16, 2011 at 8:19 pm #

      My drafts are slim too. I’m a total underwriter. I always have to flesh out scenes, draw out the emotion, add details during revisions!

  15. Jessie November 16, 2011 at 9:27 pm #

    Beautiful cover, and intriguing story blurb. I want to read it for sure.

  16. Jennifer Rumberger November 17, 2011 at 12:01 am #

    Sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing!

  17. Lydia K November 17, 2011 at 1:37 am #

    The Agent/Author thing is popping up more and more these days. It makes sense–they know about good stories, so if they can write them, that’s great. 🙂

  18. Marcia November 17, 2011 at 3:46 pm #

    Sounds like a great book. The comparison to Linda Urban really helps me “place” it in my mind. Thanks for the rec!

  19. Lisa Green November 17, 2011 at 6:08 pm #

    Awesome!!! I can’t wait to read the questions and answers. I’m always fascinated by these things.

  20. Leigh Moore November 17, 2011 at 8:17 pm #

    sounds fascinating! Thanks for the heads up, Laura! I’ll be checking this one out~ :o) <3

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Ammi Joan Paquette talks craft, social media and branding. – Laura Pauling - November 18, 2011

    […] Agent Ammi-Joan Paquette. If you missed my review on her debut middle grade, NOWHERE GIRL, you can read it here. She’s here to answer the three biggest questions on writers’ minds today: craft, social media, […]

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