Amy M. Schaefer
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
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From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
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This Whole Writing Business is A LOT of Work!

7/14/2016

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Before I began my writing career, I did a whole lot of research from author's websites, to "Getting Started" YouTube tutorials, and even dug through stacks of books (Writing for Dummies was actually more helpful than I anticipated). Over and over I read advice saying, "Stick with it. Keep going. Make yourself write every day." Honestly, the actual writing part is fairly easy for me (...hahaha)! It's the editing, website building, updates, marketing, merchandise, promotional opportunities, etc., that are a royal pain in the keester! I have this one career that in truth is really about nine careers all squished under one umbrella heading and it is way more work than you might think, certainly way more work than I anticipated.

I remember when I was getting started, someone said to me, "Must be nice to sit home and do nothing all day." *snorts*  If I did "nothing", absolutely none of the contents of this site would exist. Like life, in general, I still have a lot to learn. What I am at the moment is merely a "baby writer". I'm fairly certain I could be stuck with that title for many years before graduating to the next level. Honestly, though, I'm more prepared to deal with that prospect than I have been at perhaps any other time in my life...a most reassuring feeling.

So, what did I do today? Well, I updated my Facebook page (...because social media is a great source of advertising), I updated my website, created two more pages for my book, created a dozen products on CafePress.com, chose and edited my logo, researched becoming incorporated, AND edited the previous two pages of my children's book! How much did I get paid? Zilch! How much was all of that worth to me? Priceless! The point is...sometimes you work really hard for a dream only you can see and only you will ever fully appreciate. I am very happy, however, that I have a group of people (...growing all the time) who are coming along with me for this wild, ROUGH, fun ride and who may be inspired, even a little, to chase big ol' dreams of their own!

Note: Above are the two pages of my book I completed today. Head over to the children's book section of my website to see what new things I've done to it!

Below is the logo for Amy, Inc. (...not yet officially incorporated, but coming soon). It is appropriate that my logo is a drawing of "little me"....drawing!



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    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

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  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery