Welcome to The Creative Council, where I interview creatives about their lives and work and the ups and downs of being a creative soul.
Today’s interview is with Amy Campbell! Amy is basically the cool librarian you wish you’d had growing up. A lifelong Texan and current Houston resident, she shares her home with her husband, two young sons, and an impressive model horse collection.
From the age of seven, Amy was the kid who filled her Lisa Frank notebook with stories instead of doodles. That childhood passion evolved into a career writing fantasy novels – worlds imbued with a dash of pegasus, a sprinkle of steampunk, and a pinch of magic. Seriously, if her books were a mixtape, they’d be filled with all the classics but with unexpected remixes that make you go, ‘Whoa!’
The Interview
Hi Amy! I’m so excited we get to do this. Are you ready?
· When did you start creating? Do you remember what pulled you in?
I’ve wanted to be an author since I was seven years old. I was a voracious reader with a huge imagination, so when I finished reading a book I would continue the story by playing with my toys. I started writing then, and wrote stories all the way until college!
· When did you start pursuing your current craft for real? As in, when did you begin to take yourself seriously as a creator?
After college when I got my first real job, I had some mental health struggles so I stopped writing for a long time (about 15 years, in fact). I missed it, but life was busy and I felt for a while like writing was impossible, like moving a boulder up a hill.
Then when the COVID-19 pandemic came, I realized that I could die and never fulfill my real passion and lifelong desire to publish a book and share the characters I love with others. I jumped into writing and haven’t looked back since.
· How long did it take you to complete your first work?
Eleven months from first draft to published. It’s around 130k words, so looking back that was no small feat!
· How long does it generally take you to complete a work?
Now it can really vary. I have a lot going on (two kids and all of their appointments and related responsibilities) plus working on various other aspects of author life! But when I get going I can write a lot, and quickly (my record was 105k words for NaNoWriMo for a month, and my highest word count for a day has been 16k but I don’t want to ever do that again as I felt sick after it!). I really strive to put out the best quality I can, so I have to allow time for my editing process, too.
· Of all the milestones you’ve reached thus far, what has been your favourite?
Having people excited about my books and characters. I just love that somewhere out there, I have a couple readers who call me one of their favorite authors. I’m also a librarian, so that’s wild to me that I am someone’s favorite author. I also consider it a huge honor.
· When was the last time you celebrated a creative milestone?
I try to celebrate small ones. I keep a log of what I accomplish each day (whether it is word count, editing, or other things) so that I’ll never feel like I didn’t accomplish anything. It’s very easy to get disheartened, so I find that constantly being aware of progress and small victories is important.
· What do you struggle with most as a creative person?
First drafts. I’m a discovery writer; though I’ve been trying to learn to do a little outlining, I’m not good at sticking to it! I always feel a lot of angst when writing a first draft (that pushing a boulder up a hill feeling). My strength is in editing a story, so I can’t wait to get to that part!
· Don’t I know the feeling… Have you always had that struggle or has it changed over time?
First drafts have always been a struggle! And I fear that will never get better.
· What advice would you give to creatives dealing with the same?
Keep going. Maybe your strength is editing, too.
· It’s definitely mine! What do you do to stay inspired?
I write the stories that interest me. If I don’t do that, I know it will be an uphill battle.
· What’s the best creative advice you ever received?
Your first attempt at anything is always going to be bad. But keep going, keep learning and improving.
You can find and connect with Amy on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Are you a fan of cinnamon roll heroes, morally grey love interests, and grumpy gunslingers?
Looking for a cozy fantasy series with action, adventure, a dash of romance, and high stakes?
Are you eager to see the characters come to life in all of their full-color glory?
Then don’t miss Amy’s The Tales of the Outlaw Mages Illustrated Editions! The Kickstarter campaign for these stunning books runs until 21 March 2024.
Are you a creative and would you like to be interviewed next? E-mail me at marielle@mswordsmith.nl and we’ll make it happen!
Yay, AMY!!!