Bookshop Interview with Author Jen Braaksma, Episode #261

Author Jen Braaksma talks about a truly extraordinary project: Befriending Betsy. This book began with another writer—Betsy Pauly, a woman remembered for her kindness, humor, and deep love for animals. After Betsy passed away, she left behind pieces of a manuscript and a husband determined to see her story reach the world. That's where Jen stepped in. Jen was brought on to help shape Betsy's unfinished work, but this wasn't your typical co-authoring experience. She had to learn Betsy's voice, understand her heart, and honor a story that began long before she arrived. In our conversation, Jen shares what it was like to step into another writer's creative world, how her background as a book coach guided the process, and the unique challenge of capturing a voice that's no longer here to speak for itself. It's a moving, thoughtful look at storytelling, legacy, and the connections we forge through words.