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Based On My Own Experience
About a Girl follows one young man’s journey of self-discovery while growing up in California in the 90’s as he navigates love, friendship and betrayal. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The inspiration for About a Girl was based on my own experience in high school.
Will is a compelling character. What were some driving ideals behind his character’s development?
I wanted Will to represent the average teenager in the 1990’s. I also wanted the reader to see Will’s motivation with numerous flashbacks.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Trust, loyalty, friendship, and forgiveness.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently writing Hannah, (working title) a hybrid prequel/sequel to About a Girl told from Hannah’s point of view. It will be available in the summer of 2023.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Coming of age in Visalia, California was simple for Will; it was always about a girl. There was one girl in particular, though, that monopolized his thoughts. Her name was Hannah, and she was the most beautiful girl that Will had ever seen.
Will played in a band with his friends, Rob and Chris. They had been jamming together for two years but were reaching a point where they differed about the direction the band should take. Will wanted to branch out musically, but Rob wanted to keep everything the same. It was a struggle. The focus changed, however, when Hannah moved down the street from Chris.
Follow Will on his journey of self-discovery, friendship, love, and betrayal to find out if life is indeed, simply, about a girl.
About a Girl
About a Girl by William Michael Stephens is a coming-of-age novel set in Visalia, California in the 1990s. The nostalgic story centers around Will playing in a garage band with two friends, Rob and Chris. During the summer before their sophomore year, Hannah moves into town and quickly catches Will’s interest unexpectedly. As emotions run high, Hannah’s effect on Will changes his life, including his friendship and family relationships. As the new school year begins, Will must decide if the nature of his romance with Hannah must be kept a secret because of her disapproving parents. How will the lies and misunderstandings impact the couple and everyone else in their lives?
I found this book to be an exciting read, especially the author’s writing style and the portrayal of Will’s character. The story is narrated from Will’s point of view, which includes realistic emotions and reactions to different situations, such as interactions between his best friends, Chris and Rob, humorous moments, the future of their band, and Will’s snarky internal dialogue, which differs from what he says out loud.
The author offers some surprising developments and twists throughout the story, including a few unexpected shifts in the plot. As you become more invested in the characters, with certain exceptions, you’ll encounter a few surprises, which will only keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next for Will. A few flashbacks and backstories paint a vivid idea of Will and his past. While some of these scenes may not appear particularly relevant, but they offer a peek inside Will’s character development, which strengthens the overall direction of the book.
Overall, I found the unpredictable nature of About a Girl by William Michael Stephens an enjoyable read and rate this book a solid four out of five stars. It’s a fun read that’s romantic, funny, and entertaining, with lots of unexpected turns that keep you guessing.
Pages: 355 | ASIN: B0B4C6G6CK
LITERARY TITAN 