Amy’s Comments (group member since Aug 09, 2012)

Amy’s comments from the Q&A with Amy Gregory group.

School's back in session for most of us that have kids. I had truly expected to be able to spend those quiet hours at my laptop...However life has been a roller-coaster ride. Just when I think it's going to slow, I head back up that slow, nerve wracking hill. *can you hear the clicking as the car slowly inclines?* EEEKKKS! So......what do you do to balance the need to write with the hard balls life throws you? For me, it's been a few spare minutes here and there and then just on the days when I'm stuck at one child's practice or another's carpool line etc. I yi yi! LOL

Oh that's funny about going to that extent and then you deleted it all, silly girl!

I have to say, I don't think I'd be able to spend the night in a prison...that's just too close to 'real'!

At least here in the States, this weekend is Labor Day weekend. Usually involving a lot of BBQs :D So, what are your plans? We will be at the track! And as it looks as of right now??? We might be in the mud! Feel free to share, but whatever you're doing, have a fun and safe weekend!

So my question is...promo. I had no idea it was so time consuming. When do you find time to get 'it' all in? Different people tell you this is important or that is important, no do this, you can't not do that. AH!!!!! When do I get to write LOL? What works for you, and how much time do you REALLY set aside for promo?

Melanie wrote: "I am such a slow writer, but I love to plot. I live by the outline (although I do make some stuff up). I love outlines so much, I blogged about it. (Thanks for the unexpected prompt!)
http://www.me..."

You are quite welcome! I wish I could be that disciplined, but alas... LMAO!

Katie wrote: "See but no one knows you aren't famous! You have a book with your name on it! Walk in and BE famous! It's easy I promise, or just call me and I'll get you whatever info you need ;p"

You are sooooo good for my ego! LOL :D love you girl!

Katie wrote: "You make me laugh! Ok then show up in the office of said random doctor, school or pharmacy and strike up a conversation. I've done that too and it works! I was sitting in a hotel lobby and saw a pi..."

It's that whole... I'm NOT famous shit that screws it all up! Now if I were like a Kennedy or Trump... well then! LMAO

Katie wrote: "Well you know my theory that when you write you either have to make it 100% accurate if its a real place or 100% made up. Living in the midwest I've found it extremely easy to call someone up and s..."

Ah, my straightforward friend! I just don't have that kind of (insert word ;) here)!!! I am the most outgoing person on the planet probably, talk to a damn tree, but hell, calling up a random doctor, school, pharmacy anything-I don't care what or where, I just can't do it! LOL.. I find what I can on the Internet but then ugh! lol...

J.K. wrote: "I use a combination of things. Internet, library, talking to people, drawing from things I've learned from things I've read in the past, and good old fashioned makin' shit up. I say that last part ..."

Oh that's awesome! I LOVE poetic license! I had to 'adjust' a few things in my current series to make it work for my books. I just have always wondered how common that really is. I hear about it, but it's nice to know it really is a tool of the trade! LOL... Muwah!

So...research. Not one of my favorite things to do. I don't feel comfortable calling random places, or making a fake doctors appt to ask questions like I know people say they do. So when it comes to either the job(s) of the main characters or hobbies that are important to the story line---just how do you do your research. How involved do you get as far as dropping details into the story so it feels real. Now with my series, it's about racing. Something that I'm very familiar with. However, in the future, my next series is going to have different folks from all over the board.... So, whatcha got for me guys? :D

Dana wrote: "Vivian wrote: "The trouble with pantsing is, you're writing along and get a new idea for a scene and you change something, but then you forget how that scene or even one word different can change t..."

I'd read for you bb :D .. have to walk me through the scary tense stuff so i know what's coming... and I'm with you... I sit and write,,, edit as I go, but if I plan ... my mind goes blank and not even coffee helps!!!

Vivian wrote: "The trouble with pantsing is, you're writing along and get a new idea for a scene and you change something, but then you forget how that scene or even one word different can change the whole storyl..."

Oh trust me! I've learned to keep a spiral notebook, good old fashioned paper by me and I write down all major details and minor ones too. write a brief line about the chapter and keep a running log of sorts so I don't drift off track. Like this morning... I am working on my WIP and suddenly my main char revealed something so wickedly pertinent I was like "huh, I didn't know that" LMAO! but then it made such good sense so I'm going to use that one piece of info to write his internal conflict... ---No I wasn't drinking at the time! LOL

Dana wrote: "Vivian wrote: "Hello everyone, I'm Vivian LeMay. I like this discussion because, for me, the act of writing is the only thing that stimulates the act of writing.
I wrote my entire ebook series Th..."

LOL... mine likes to 'edit' the sex scenes! Seriously :D I just roll my eyes and tell him it's not an instruction manual!

Vivian wrote: "Hello everyone, I'm Vivian LeMay. I like this discussion because, for me, the act of writing is the only thing that stimulates the act of writing.
I wrote my entire ebook series The Last Lord of ..."

OH WOW! First, I'm so glad you joined us, but second, TWO more years??? You have the patience of a Saint! Plus I don't think I'd taken too kindly to my husb's opinion...(a downfall I know!) I'm so happy that you stuck with it and congrats to you! I'll keep that in mind for sure!!

Dana wrote: "Amy wrote: "Dana wrote: "That's a tough question, Amy. One or two of my favs would be Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie and Public Secrets by Nora Roberts. I love both these authors and Janet Evanovich too..."

Got 'em down bb! Now heading to Amazon :D thx honey! MUWAH!!!

Dana wrote: "I also read and write by series. I think reading a series also helps with that dreaded TBR pile. I never know what to read next, but if I have a book in a series I haven't read yet, I pick it first..."

:) I knew we were so alike! I can't wait for Dangerous Embrace, but you'll have to hand hold me girl! You just ask Katie Mettner! Oh hell... Her Sugar's Dance is really good, but I'd email her and tell her where I was so she could tell me if something scary was coming up! No JOKE!

Dana wrote: "That's a tough question, Amy. One or two of my favs would be Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie and Public Secrets by Nora Roberts. I love both these authors and Janet Evanovich too.
I think you would love..."

YAY! I think you've figured out I can't do suspense! For some reason I was remembering you being in on that conversation?!?! I have read most of NR, except her more suspenseful stuff or the JD Robb, but I've not read anything by Jennifer Cruise so thank you for the recommendation! BUT...is it HEA?? :) LOL And yeah, I'm one that likes the funny dialogue or snarky pieces! :)

J.K. wrote: "Oh and my favorite NF books are Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane, and Night by Elie Wiesel. Both are must reads!"

Eh! Who needs to narrow it down LOL!!! I knew when I typed that people would chuckle! It's just damn near impossible when you love to read! xxoo

Hayley wrote: "What immediately comes to mind are books I've read that I've marked up with notes and underlinings etc. I love books that make me think of things I've never thought of before. I love insights. I..."

I think that would be an English teacher's dream answer! I just have a hard time getting into the classics. I tried! I had a goal of wanting to read most of the classics, but um...so far that goal has only seen about 15 pages finished of the first! (hangs head in shame)*English teacher's nightmare* LOL

Cordelia wrote: "Yeah, I don't think I can narrow it down to a favorite. I have numerous favorites. Jerry Spinelli, David Schmidt, Patricia Giff, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, and that's just a start. I think it all boi..."

I think that is how it is for most of us! That ability to get drawn in so close that you truly forget what's going on around you!!! (makes stopping to do anything else quite frustrating! - stupid laundry!)