Interview with Amy Harmon

[Danielle]

Amy Harmon Interview on -Making Faces-

We have many things to be thankful for this time of year, right now I’m thankful for author Amy Harmon and the gracious interview she donated to our reading group! I hope you enjoy her insightful words as much as I did. – Danielle

# 1. What was your inspiration for -Making Faces?
For me, inspiration comes in layers. I don't ever get an entire story wrapped up in a nice package, delivered to my mental inbox. I usually start with characters and as I flesh them out they start to reveal their story. As I write, things come to me. My dad calls them 'thoughts wrapped in light' - and that's how they feel. Inspiration is work, though. I can't just sit and watch tv and expect inspiration to come knocking. I usually have to be writing and the windows start to open up as I get into a groove. And I never write in a linear fashion. I write scenes. Then I move things around and keep adding and moving until I have the bulk of the story. Dividing the book into chapters is usually my very last step.

As far as inspiration for the story line in Making Faces, I spent time with a great guy named Aaron Roos who has Duchenne MD. He and his family (his mom is Angie - recognize the name) really opened up to me about how life is with MD. I am indebted to them. They made Bailey come alive.

Also, my youngest brother joined the guard in 2004 and went to Iraq with several of his friends - yes you CAN serve with your friends in the National Guard if you choose the same specialty, etc. Other branches of the military, probably not. His service got me thinking, what if?

Finally, my son and my husband are wrestlers and we lived and breathed the sport for many years. We still do. Greatest sport in the whole world, and so underrated.


# 2. Your book has a few great messages that are considered inspiring. Have you made any significant connections through your book?

I do tend to write with a bigger message in mind. I don't ever want to preach or to say this religion or set of beliefs is better than another religion or set of beliefs. I just write from my own limited understanding, my own faith foundation, and let the reader take what they want. I'm not interested in conversion - just comfort, you know? I want people to have hope. And there is so much to be hopeful about and so many truly beautiful, magnificent people in the world.


#3. What is your most favorite object in your kitchen, and why?

My favorite object in my kitchen is, without a doubt, my dishwasher. I compose odes to my dishwasher. My family lived in an old farmhouse for the last three years with no dishwasher, no air conditioner, shoddy electrical...you get the idea. We moved at the end of September and I got a kitchen with a dishwasher. I will never take the little things for granted again!