Writing can be such a lonely endeavor. I remember feeling isolated when working on my first novel because a.) no one else knows what I’m thinking,b.) no one besides me knows who these characters are, and c.) no one can see how the plot will unfold. I felt like I was annoying my friends who … Continue reading Solo Writing Retreat: Making the Most of the Time
We just returned from a relaxing (and much needed) family vacation in Grand Haven, Michigan. We visited Grand Haven last year and loved the area so much that we decided to head back again as soon as school was out. Grand Haven is a beautiful area with gorgeous river and lake views. Their downtown area … Continue reading Indie Bookstore Crawl
You know how they say getting a dog is what you do once you’re married, but not quite ready for kids? It’s like, you get a dog, and suddenly all of the married people you know begin to exchange knowing smiles and sidelong glances. Uh huh, we know what's coming next! Well, my husband, Jason, … Continue reading Queen Sheba’s Reign: A Tale of Cat vs. Dog
Candlelight flickers, casting a halo of light Into the darkness around me. I shiver lightly, goosebumps forming on my skin. What memory will I stumble upon next? I wander through the mystical realm of my imagination A wide open land of endless opportunities I peer into the distance and see a snow-capped mountain peak, The … Continue reading Paint Chip Poetry #3: A Big Mistake
In 2019, I began researching for my next book, a historical fiction novel inspired by the fascinating life of Alice Martin. Alice was born in 1881 in Derby, Indiana, which is about an hour from my house. She lived on her family’s farm until she left for college, and then she traveled the world (literally) … Continue reading Road Tripping and Novel Researching
I have collected quite a few vintage books over the years, but this little pamphlet was the first. I found it at a consignment shop out in the country over 25 years ago, when I was a broke college student. I had recently moved and spent a lot of time visiting garage sales and consignment … Continue reading Discovering Vintage Books: Shakespeare Edition
A couple of weeks ago, I had my last physical therapy appointment. I have been going to physical therapy appointments regularly since my brain hemorrhage in January 2020. I looked back at my calendar and did some math to discover I have had over 343 hours (that’s 20,580 minutes!) of physical and/or occupational therapy over … Continue reading From Wheelchair to 5K: How 343 Hours Changed My Life
I remember the first poem I ever wrote. In fact, I still have the original copy, 36 years later. I don’t remember the details, of course, but what I do remember is how much I adored my third grade teacher, Ms. Hawes. I would do anything within my power to impress her. When she once … Continue reading Remembering My First Poem: A Tribute to Ms. Hawes
April 13, 1936 The coffin rested on the kitchen table in the center of the room. She turned and stared at the walls, up at the ceiling, down at the floor, anything to avoid looking at the smooth pine box that seemed to swallow the air in this room, seemed to draw the very breath … Continue reading Waverly: A Novel (Excerpt)
BLANK CANVAS Everyday is a blank canvas. Some days, The canvas is full of gold medals And lucky pennies, On those days, it’s easy to see everything Through rose-colored glasses, To forget that It isn’t always like this. Other days, Your canvas seems dark as night. You find yourself in a Deep, dark wood, Or … Continue reading Paint Chip Poetry #2: Blank Canvas
Amy Bellamy, Author 