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
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
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 don’t have as much time to read as I would like. Then again, who does? I will never be one of those people who posts a perfectly filtered photo with my smiling face next to the stack of 150+ books I managed to finish in one year, but that’s okay! I’ve come to accept … Continue reading Maximize Your Reading: The Art of Book Pairing
Note: This is an excerpt from my book, Kentucky Family. When I hear a strange noise in the night, I usually chalk it up to some critter moving around outside, the pipes, or the heater or air conditioner, depending on the season. I briefly contemplate it, and then just go back to sleep, content that … Continue reading The Intruder
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
Today I did something I wasn’t sure I’d ever do again. I crossed the finish line of a 5K race. Admittedly, I walked the whole thing, but I was still overwhelmed with gratitude to God for walking beside me on this journey of recovery for the past 5 years. Less than 24 hours before my … Continue reading Learning to Walk Again
Amy Bellamy, Author 