For almost every book I write, I include an afterword to share a little of what happened behind the scenes when I wrote the story. This is the first half of the afterword for my upcoming book, Love at Second Sight.
Rom-com is probably my favorite genre to read and watch, but boy, is it hard to write! It’s hard to be consistently funny on almost every page, and even harder to do so when tackling serious topics like grief and loss that this story deals with. There were numerous times when I wished I’d given Cassie a different, much easier backstory. But now that I’m done with her and Brad’s book, I’m glad it was what it was.
To give a little more backstory about Cassie’s backstory, she’s an introverted single mom who lost her husband Will three years ago. Brad is her husband’s best friend who also happens to be a movie star. They’re about as opposite as opposite can be, but because of Will, they’re forced to spend time together.
In the opening chapters, we find out that Will left some letters for them to be opened after his passing. The rest of the story shows what happens when Cassie and Brad take on the challenge that Will left for them.
You may be wondering, where does the funny come in?! LOL. I kept asking myself this question, too, while I was writing this book. How do I talk about grief and loss in realistic ways and also keep the tone of the story lighthearted? Is that even possible?
Well, let me tell you that it is possible. Was it easy? No way! But by God’s grace, I was able to balance the light and dark sides of romantic comedy. It’s just like what Ecclesiastes 3:4 says,
A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.
It’s like the pair of tragedy and comedy masks that are associated with Greek drama. Without the former, the latter wouldn’t be so sweet. And without comedy, tragedy would be so much harder to endure. I had these thoughts in mind when I wrote this book.
Here’s the second half of my afterword for this story that I think sums this all up:
Life is not always easy and fun, but God does give us His grace and a sense of humor to weather through the tough times. That’s why I decided to make this story lighthearted, yet more realistic. My wish is that this book was able to touch and tickle you. At the very least, I hope you had some fun with the puns and Dad jokes. :)
I hope you’ll check out Love at Second Sight HERE! The paperback is available now and the Kindle version releases July 1st!
Tell me, do you enjoy reading the afterword in a book? What kind of behind the scenes info would you like included in the afterword of a book?
Giveaway: I’d like to give away a $5 Amazon gift card. One winner will be randomly chosen from the comments below. The giveaway will remain open until midnight on Sunday, July 3rd.
A chauffeur and referee by day (AKA a stay at home mom of two), Liwen Y. Ho writes inspirational and sweet romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).
I do enjoy reading the afterword. I like to know setting details like if its a small town or beach, what have you. The information about the setting or why the author chose the setting.
Absolutely LOVED this book! It’s my fav in the series!
I really like this line you wrote, “My wish is that this book was able to touch and tickle you.” 😊
I enjoyed your afterwords, Liwen, and getting a glimpse into how the writing was for the author.
It’s nice to know if the author drew some inspiration from personal experience or experiences of family/friends to use in the book.
I do read the Afterward in books! Sometimes it helps me to see the characters in a slightly different light, and sometimes it just sheds light on what was going on in the author’s life when the book was written. I like to know if, during the writing of the book, the author was impacted in a way that they didn’t expect, or if, when they finished the book, it had taken a different turn than the author had at first expected. I really enjoyed this book, though I am not big on RomComs!!
I usually read the afterward in books. I like to know how they come up with the places the book takes place and how they come up with the characters.
I read all of the book – forward,dedication and afterword. They were written because the author thought that they contributed to the book and so they are worth reading. I do skip reviews if they are in the book as I don’t want some random person to prejudice me.
Liwen, I love the Afterwords at the end of your books. Cassie and Brad’s book is terrific and the tragedy is definitely offset by the dad jokes!
I like reading the afterword to see what the author maybe changed in regards to a setting or how God led the author on a different plot path than they originally started with.
I do read the afterword in books and the dedications also!
Hi Cathy! Yes, I enjoy knowing those kind of details, too. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Andrea! Thank you so much! That means a lot to me, especially after the challenge of writing it. :)
Hi Akemi! Hehe, I like that line, too. :) Yes, me too, I love knowing where an author gets her inspiration from. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Trudy! Yes, exactly that! It’s so interesting to find out what was going on in the author’s life during and after writing a book because those experiences really add to the story.
So glad you enjoyed Cassie and Brad’s story!
Hi, yes, I like to read the afterwords in books, I think they are very interesting.
Hi Kendra! Yes, same here! I also like hearing about what inspired authors. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Jeannette! Yes, each of those sections means something to an author. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Carol! Aww, thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the dad jokes! :)
Hi Megan! Yes, for sure. A story rarely turns out the way we plan, but God knows better. :) Thanks for commenting!
Hi Teresa! I love reading dedications, too. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Alicia! They are fun to read, aren’t they? Thanks for commenting!
Hi Liwen! I always enjoy reading author’s notes or afterwords, especially for historical fiction, but also for series. Author’s notes gives me, the reader, additional information about the book. Thanks to authors, who take the time to address their readers. Best wishes. Enjoy the holiday.
I love reading the afterword to get a little glimpse into the author’s mind outside of the story. It’s interesting to learn why the author chose to write a certain story or if the story changed as they went along or what they might have learned, or hope the readers will learn, about themselves. P.S. I love the line on the ad about what is required to woo an introvert. So true.
Hi Renate! Yes, I find them very interesting as well! Thanks for commenting!
Hi Jessica! Yes, I totally like learning about how a story evolves over time, too.
Haha, I see you are an introvert, too. :) High five! Thanks for commenting!
I do like to read an afterword in a book, especially if the author gives a little insight to the story!
I absolutely loved “Love at Second Chance”! I had been anticipating Cassie’s story for quite a while & I thought you did a great job with her. :-) You do Rom-com so well I think!
Hi Trixi! Yes, I love the little insights, too!
Aww, thank you so much for your encouragement! I’m so happy you enjoyed Cassie’s story! :)
I like to read any historical facts related to the story.
Love that the story tackles the tough situations in life. Totally piqued my curiosity, and can’t wait to read it. 😃
Hi Mary! Those are fun facts to learn. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Michele! What a nice surprise. :) Hehe, yes, this story sure does. Thanks for stopping by!
sounds interesting
Yes, I enjoy reading the afterword. It can be anything from how the author came up with the story to what the author learned while writing the story. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Hi there! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hi Debra! Oh yes, I like hearing what authors learning while writing a story, too. Thanks for commenting!
I love the afterward in a book. I would love to hear ones of parents with children
Hi Amy! Thanks for commenting!
I am so looking forward to reading this! And yes, I like afterwords because it’s interesting to hear extra details directly from the author.
I can’t wait for the book.
Hi Liwen,
I love reading afterward from books because it tells me what the author was thinking while writing the book, or what lead up to writing the book.
I appreciated yours from this book because it told your heart.
The book was FANTASTIC and I loved the whole series because it was about women over forty and finding love. Each book was a delight to read!
Hi Krista! Aww yay! One more day! :) Thanks for commenting.
Hi Jcp! Thanks so much for your support!
Hi Marylin! You are so kind and encouraging! Thank you so much for reading the whole series.
Hi Liwen,
I’m with Jeannette above: I read everything except (usually) the reviews! I occasionally read the reviews if the author is not one I’m familiar with, or I may just read who wrote the reviews. However, I always read both the Dedication and the Afterword, if there is one. One of my all-time favorite Dedications was what you wrote for Head Over Stilettos–though the one for Love at Second Sight was great, too!
As others have mentioned, I do appreciate hearing about what motivated the author, what they learned through the experience/what they learned from the Lord through the experience, and other insights into the author’s writing and life.
Now I need to go put the finishing touches on my review for Love at Second Sight and get it posted!
Blessings on release day!
Hi Betty! Haha, thanks for reminding me about the dedication for Head Over Stilettos! I still haven’t heard from Mr. Jackman yet. LOL
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing Love at Second Sight! And thanks for reading and commenting on this post.
The afterword in a book is always so interesting to read!
Hi Angeline! I think so, too! Thanks for commenting!
I really enjoy reading the afterward! I always like hearing a little about the author and her thoughts about the writing process for that book.
Hi Melynda! That’s good to hear! Thanks so much for commenting!