I am happy to welcome Amy Anguish to my Thursday blog! Amy, what would you like to share with us about yourself?
Well, I’m an author, obviously. But I’m also a wife, mommy, friend, Sunday-school teacher, and crafter. It definitely keeps me busy.
It is my understanding you have one book already published and another under contract. Tell us about those books.
My book that came out in November 2017 is called An Unexpected Legacy. In it, Jessica and Chad meet at a smoothie shop and start to fall in love. When they find out that their families come from the same town, it’s almost like God has pushed them together … until they realize that something happened between their families in the past that could push them apart instead.
My next book will come out in April 2019. The working title is The Greatest of These. It’s about two sister, Faith and Hope, who are forced to spend the summer together, despite not getting along. While they’re dealing with those struggles, as well as their own romantic relationships, life throws a few more curveballs their way.
Who are your favorite authors?
I have so many! Of course, there’s the obvious favorites like Jane Austin, Louisa May Alcott, LM Montgomery, and Francine Rivers. But I’m also a huge fan of Karen Witemeyer, Katherine Reay, Autumn Macarthur, Sandi Rog, Christine Lynxwiler, and have just discovered Chautona Havig, who I’m really enjoying. Among others. I read a lot.
When did you first become interested in writing, and what do you do to improve and learn?
Like I said above, I’m a reader, and have always loved stories. But when my eighth-grade teacher let us know she was a published author, it was like a light clicked in my head. All of a sudden, it was a position achievable. I would love to think I’ve improved since then. Ha! I have surrounded myself in the last few years with great friends who are honest with me when they critique something, as well as reading blogs about the craft like seekerville.blogspot.com. And just doing something over and over again helps you improve, too, so I’ve got that going for me.
We readers often say that the book is better than the movie. Have you ever seen a movie that you felt did justice to the book? Or a movie that was actually better than the book? In my case, it is Gone With the Wind. For me, the book dragged.
I wanted to say this question was way too hard. So many times, the book is better. On a few occasions, I’ve seen that they were exactly alike. One movie/book that comes to mind is “Meet Me in St. Louis,” one of my all-time favorites. The film is practically verbatim to the novel. Both are lovely, but the movie has music.
Where do you see yourself as a writer ten years from now?
I’d love to have several more books published. I have about six or seven manuscripts on my computer right now just waiting for edits. Just have to find the right company to get them out there!
What gives you ideas for your stories?
What doesn’t give me ideas for my stories? Everywhere I look, everything that happens to me, it’s all story fodder. For example, my novel, An Unexpected Legacy started simply from eating at an iron table outside of a smoothie restaurant. I got to thinking, what if I were single, sitting here reading, and got interrupted by a cute guy? The story grew from that.
How much of real life (people, places, etc.) do you incorporate into your writing?
My husband always jokes that I only include his bad traits. It’s not true, by the way. I try not to include too much REAL life into my stories, because I don’t want to accidentally hurt anyone’s feelings. I do take real events or places or even struggles, though, and change them up just a bit to fit my plot better.
What piece of advice have you received that has been most beneficial in your writing pursuits?
Don’t give up.
What are obstacles to writing as often as you would like? Do you have a “fix” for that problem?
I think the main “fix” for my problem will be my children (ages two and four) starting school in a few years. Ha!
Tell us about any hobbies or interests that you have.
Like I said, I’m a crafter. I can crochet, sew, quilt, do some needlework, and dabble in painting. I also seem to do a lot of baking this time of year.
Please share below any links you would like for my readers to be able to access.
You can follow me at http://abitofanguish.weebly.com and http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor. I share my thoughts, book updates, author interviews, Bible class ideas, and more.
Thank you, Amy, for your time. And Happy Holidays!
Amy R Anguish
Author of An Unexpected Legacy
Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.
Follow her at http://abitofanguish.weebly.com or http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor
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