The only way out is through. When deadlines are looming and I don’t know how to fix a problem, the only way to overcome is to keep working until it’s fixed. Eventually, a solution will arise.
In 2010 Amy E. Reichert entered NaNoWriMo and begun to write for the first time. During that month she discovered a passion for storytelling that hasn’t left her since. The life-long Wisconsinite now writes feel-good novels that celebrate the food and people of her state. We catch up with her to chat about comfort fiction, creating a skeleton draft and how Buffy the Vampire Slayer encouraged her to keep going.
How did you begin writing?
I’ve always been that person that told myself stories, but it never occurred to me to write them down. Several years ago, I heard about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), and I decided to give a try. While I didn’t finish my novel during the month, I had fallen in love, met a lot of amazing people, and knew that is what I wanted to do.
Do you have a writing routine?
I don’t have a specific daily routine. When I’m on deadline, I write all the time. So I guess, that’s also what motivates me—deadlines, either from my publisher, or self-imposed.
How do you begin writing?
I am an outliner. Before I can dive into the story, I really need to know who my main characters are and what their arc will be. By the time I’m done with my outlining, it’s a skeleton first draft. However, I happily follow better ideas that come up during the drafting and revising phase—and that always happens.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
It’s been said before, and it will be said again---read and write. To that, I’d also add that you should always be improving your craft and be kindly persistent. This is a tough industry with a lot of rejection, so you need to keep learning and revising and trying—but it’s also a small one—so never, ever be rude to other writers, agents, or editors. People will talk about an author’s bad behaviour.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for new authors?
Patience. This is a slow industry. It takes time for the right person to read your book and fall in love. Then it takes a long time for it to happen again.
What methods of book marketing do you find the most effective?
Meeting with booksellers, be it at a book store event or at a conference. Getting to know the people who will actually put my book into the hands of readers is still the best. And word of mouth—which isn’t really marketing as there isn’t much you can do to get it rolling other than write the best book possible.
What struggles did you face in the writing/ publishing process?
Rejection. It took me 14 months to get an agent, and another 10 months to get a book deal. But during that time, I kept revising and learning and improving, so it was a struggle I’m grateful to have experienced.
How do you handle rejection as a writer?
I’d like to say I handled it well, but after enough “nos” I almost gave up. I took a deep-dive into watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, which ultimately turned into a master class in storytelling. It refilled my creative well and helped me realize that I love the storytelling world and I would fight to stay in it.
What is the best writing advice you have received?
The only way out is through. When deadlines are looming and I don’t know how to fix a problem, the only way to overcome is to keep working until it’s fixed. Eventually, a solution will arise.
You can find out more about Amy via her website and social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
