Ask the Author: Amy Scheibe
Answered Questions (10)
Amy Scheibe
Yes! The book I'm working on now splits time between North Dakota/Minnesota and Europe/Africa. Don't be scared, though, it will makes sense in that "we all come from somewhere" kind of way. (And will feature certain characters you already know.) Thanks for being represented! I love my home state.
Amy Scheibe
There are a lot of publishing companies outside of New York that hire freelance editorial, but mostly on the copy-editing side of things. If you are looking to break into acquisitions editorial (i.e., buying books from agents and preparing for publication), that's a whole different ballgame that requires working in from the ground up, and yes, you typically have to be near enough to a publishing house to "break" into the business. You might want to sniff around amazon and see whether they hire on freelance basis.
Amy Scheibe
I've toyed with a couple of very different YA ideas but always get scared off by the competition. Middle grade and younger, no way.
Amy Scheibe
It depends on three variables: what I want for breakfast, how cold it is outside, and how messy my apartment is. Today: I wanted a frittata, it's 60 degrees, and the place is a medium disaster, so I left with the kids and spent two hours at Exki on Madison and 28th and got an amazing amount of work done. Once the temp drops below 30, I will happily write at home, though not as efficiently as I will have to tidy up first.
Amy Scheibe
I re-read a great book about writing, in particular The Art of the Novel by Milan Kundera, On Writing by Stephen King, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, or Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. If you are too drained to kick your own butt, any one of these writers will happily do it for you.
Amy Scheibe
Making your own schedule. Going to movies as part of "work." Having the flexibility to be a part of my children's lives.
Amy Scheibe
Know that all writers are aspiring, even those who have published, even those who have won awards. Treat your desire and ability to write as a gift. Never take it for granted. Write until you are happy enough, then show your writing to people who love you enough to tell you the truth.
Amy Scheibe
I am working on a book that takes place in the 40s, and includes a few of the characters of Fireproof.
Amy Scheibe
When I need inspiration I will spend a week going to movies, reading newspapers and magazines, and reading whatever stack of research is lurking in my work cabinet. Usually this routine will shake things up.
Amy Scheibe
The idea came from many different directions over an extended period of time, though the core idea was sparked by an article in Real Simple magazine. Liz Welch had collected a number of letters written from mothers to their daughters and the last one was a suicide note, written by a woman in her 60s, apologizing to her 30 year old daughter for having failed. This note got me to thinking about what could have happened to her, at what age, that could trigger a long lasting depression. Happy thought, I know, but it helped to fire up the character of Emmy Nelson, who goes through quite an emotional growth spurt when she turns 18.
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