Author: amydwestphal

Emerging writer building a platform. Stay tuned!
Amy on writing

Meanwhile…

amydwestphal

Apologies for my absence again my WPs. No I am not wallowing in despair, forlorn over the pathetic-ness of my stagnant writing career.

No… I’m in shambles, literally in shambles. We are at the apex of remodeling the house in lieu of selling it and this week Is the floor. The entire floor! I am without kitchen, furniture and reasonable access to the other bedrooms. My bedroom is now a hotel room in which my whole household resides. We eat, we live, we annoy.

My garage is packed to the brim!

I have made an intricate labyrinth in my garage to reach my laundry and have decided that I should also stain my bookshelves in there.

Apparently I am not deterred by little things like the whole garage being taken up with furniture.

So enjoy your week everyone. And I shall rejoin you agains shortly.

Cheers. Amy

Amy on writing

Now What?

amydwestphal

Now that I’m caught in this nebulous r and r thing, you know, deciding when to start rewrites and when to complain more about them, I really needed something else to think about.

So what does an Amy do?

I’m an artist I say, so I create.

Here’s some of my little projects. Distressing old outdated furniture is the tops. Really fun and so relaxing.

I came across the idea when We decided to update the house instead selling it (what a hassle!) and I’m so grateful. This is much better. and Now I have another hobby I don’t have time for.

(I suppose a before and after pic would have been smart. So just imagine beat up and orangey brown wood 🙃)

So these ones are done. I love the turn out, what do you think?

At this point I’m either gonna paint my whole house or start writing. I should probably start on the writing.

What do you do when you’re not doing the thing you’re supposed to do?

Cheers, Amy

Amy on writing

Going Deep

amydwestphal

One of the suggestions I received for my manuscript revision was an interesting one. I had to look into it deeper.

What is deep POV?

Most of us know that POV means point of view. In writing fiction, you usually decide whether you will write in 1st, 2nd or 3rd person. 2nd person being super uncommon.

(In fact. The only example I can think of is the Netflix series You. Anyone??)

I am most comfortable writing in 3rd person. I love classic literature and it feels natural to write in this generally traditional format.

Unfortunately, it ain’t hip.

People have become accustomed to something more intimate, immediate. First person gives you that, but to be more omnipotent, 3rd person is where it’s at.

So what do you do? You go deep. Deep POV.

This is my mission. To change my 3rd person limited narrative into a deep POV story that sucks you into the mind of the protagonist, it’s no longer a story about the hero. You are the hero. The hero with the power to see through both your own eyes in real time, without losing those beautiful narrative moments that only the all knowing can provide.

Seems daunting doesn’t it?

It is, that’s why I’m sitting around drawing blanks and not writing anything. Even the blog is suffering. I haven’t given you guys bad advice in weeks!

Whatever will you do with out it?

Anyway, what are your thoughts on narration? What do you prefer to read in? Or write?

And do you have any tips for me? I’m in the shallows here, I need to jump. Help Me!

Cheers, Amy

Amy on writing, on writing and kids

A story maybe you haven’t read…

amydwestphal

The words of Roald Dahl.

https://www.roalddahl.com/roald-dahl/timeline/1960s/november-1962

As a mother and child care provider, this a subject deeply important to me. I don’t often discuss polarizing subjects on the blog, so if this offends you in any way…

Sorry, not sorry.

Because I care.

Cheers, Amy

Amy on writing

A Little R n R

amydwestphal

I’d love to say that I’m talking about a little rest and relaxation, but I’m not…

I’m talking revise and resubmit.

It’s not the worst thing a writer can hear, but it ain’t my favorite either.

A revise and resubmit is when an agent likes your work but your work isn’t ready. All agents do a bit of editorial work and coaching. But when it’s more than just a few tweaks, they might request an R and R… if they don’t just reject you.

This is predicated on how much they like your concept and what not. Most of the time, even if an agent requested your full and loved the idea, they will reject you if your writing isn’t up to par.

An R and R is light years above a rejection. Especially when it’s your dream agent.

And here is Amy… between a rock and a For-fucks-sake-do-I-have-it-in-me-to-do-this-again place? Painstakingly rewrite my book, change my POV, remove backstory…Forsake all other things in life like home cooked dinner and laundry? All in the bleeding hope of getting that call, that sweet wondrous phone call, where said dream agent tells me they love my book and graciously want to offer me representation, champion me and ultimately sell my book.

Do I have it in me? I want to, I really want to, but it’s so all consuming, so intense I almost just let it all go. ( you may have noted an absence recently…)

Well I’m still here, that’s a start.

Cheers, Amy

Amy on writing

Nevermind

amydwestphal

Drag me swathed in never mind.

I do not feel. I cannot feel.

Press me hard against the glass.

I do not break. I do bend.

Rattle my cage, feed the animal.

Pet me nice. I’m a good girl.

To and fro, stretch me thin.

I am gossamer whisps of never mind.

Been a minute since my last vent poetry sesh. Feels good every time.

Happy weekend everyone!

Cheers, Amy

Amy on writing

It’s Okay

amydwestphal

Do you ever feel weird doing something that is purely just for you?

I feel like that all the time. Particularly as a parent.

Why do we feel that the moment we bring life into the world that ours no longer has value in its self? Why must we scrutinize simple pleasures and feel the need to justify to others, who never even asked, our reasons why? It’s okay to want.

Everyone always says that you have to take care of your self to care well for someone else. While I do absolutely think that’s true, why is actually doing it so hard?

After mulling over my plans and rescheduling it, I did it…Recently…. I did something for me. I went and sat for 3 hours doing absolutely nothing and came home with this and I love it. I’m happy I did it, it was just for me. It’s serves no other purpose. And that’s okay.

What was the last thing you did just for you?

Cheers, Amy