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
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
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
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)
I love reading historical fiction. Getting lost in the world of a great story inspired by true events is the ultimate escape for me. I’ve always admired authors who are able to describe a world from long ago so clearly that I can put myself right there in the midst of the action. Through the … Continue reading The Trouble with Historical Fiction
I recently decided to dust off the old manuscript (or open the old google doc, as the case may be), and revisit the novel I began researching and writing back in 2019. If you've followed my story for very long, you know that I had just began my serious writing journey and had three self-published … Continue reading Getting Reacquainted with Alice
When my book, Waverly: A Novel was chosen for the Owensboro Community and Technical College Common Reads program, my intention was to attend a live event on campus and share information about the book, answer questions, etc. Then, of course, the world as we know it came to a screeching halt in the spring of … Continue reading Exploring Waverly: Insights
It seems like it's been a long time coming, but if there's anything God has taught me over the past year and a half, it's that His timing is always best. I feel a lot of mixed emotions about this book launch. I'm excited, but also anxious. Writing a book about your own experience requires … Continue reading His Timing: It’s Time for a Book Launch!
Summer, finally! I've been super busy the last few months at work with what has to be the strangest school year on record, but now my semi-summer break has started, so it's time to shift gears and focus on writing again. I will be off work for most of the month of June, so I … Continue reading Exciting News for Waverly Fans!
At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen. (Isaiah 60:22, NLT) My first book, Kentucky Family, was an experiment, really... a chance to see if I could actually accomplish the goal of writing a book, plus preserve some priceless family memories. My second book, Waverly, was the book I always wanted to … Continue reading Draft 1 Complete!
Amy Bellamy, Author 