Amy Van Duyn

Ok I think I was able to follow back anyone who has followed me while I was on hiatus. Sorry I haven't been around in a while! Hope everyone is well!

a man wearing a red and black striped shirt is looking down ALT: a man wearing a red and black striped shirt is looking down

I'm reading Little Women for the first time. Don't know why I'm just now getting around to it. But I just read the sad part and my heart is shattered. I knew what happened, but wow that hit hard. I'm going to go put this book in the freezer now.

Big congratulations to the #RevPit winners and runners-up!! Remember us '25 alumni when you're top-selling, published authors!!

Thank you! I appreciate you making the list for us!

I followed all, if I wasn't already. I don't think I was on it. I love connecting with other writers. Feel free to follow back, anyone! Would love to stay in touch!

Well,the marking off sleeps on the calendar works well until I turn my back and he grabs the marker and gives time a little more progress... Lol!!

Can't get much more inspirational than this! My hero, Mr. Sagan, says it well. And, as authors, we are all part of this. We make magic! #RevPit #RevPitWaiting www.facebook.com/share/v/163V...

Congrats to EVERYONE! Maybe you’re a winner/runner up/10 query inspo, or maybe not. You know what you did anyway? Wrote a BOOK! You wrote a query, a synopsis, and an entire application. You let strangers read it all, you bet on yourself, and you tried. Nothing changes that! #revpitwaiting #revpit

Lol we measure anticipated events in "sleeps" in our house for my anxious neurodivergent son who can't yet conceptualize time. Fyi, there are, in fact, 7 sleeps til Easter.

It was just so funny that I'd JUST read this part! Even after all this time since this was written, it's still so true and identifiable! And this is why I so dearly love literature. I think ink runs in my veins.

Here are some encouraging words I've only JUST from Louisa May Alcott. And I hear ya, Jo. We all hear ya! Even if we don't win, we can pair up and help each other! #RevPit #RevPitWaiting

Thank you!! Same for you!!

Wouldn't it be perfect to allow ourselves to think about our WIP all the time, on top of having a best-seller that we knew provided for them?

To write full time. When my brain shifts into the creative side, it's hard to shut it off and do my day job. Would be nice to allow that train to keep going. And, if I was successful, I'd leave my royalties to my son with special needs to provide for his future after I'm gone. #RevPitWaiting #RevPit

And this is why I'm not an editor. I didn't even catch that.

Ooh I'll check that one out too! Thanks!

I just ordered HOW TO WRITE DAZZLING DIALOGUE by James Scott Bell too. Looking forward to seeing what I learn from it.

Oh that's a good one! I like that book too.

Exactly! I was worried that it would feel too restrictive, but it actually allows me more creativity because I'm not stressing over other things. It's like a series of mini writing prompts!

I used to be a pantser. But then I studied "Save the Cat Writes a Novel" and have since created a beats chart on have on my wall and on which I pin the outline first. It still allows me enough creativity. I just jot a plot point or scene on an index card and tack it on!

I just ordered this! Thank you! I feel this is something with which I struggle.

two older women are sitting next to each other in a living room with the words waiting for the news written on the screen . ALT: two older women are sitting next to each other in a living room with the words waiting for the news written on the screen .

I'm going to take a guess that this one is mine. I won't ask you to confirm or deny, ha ha! I'll just sit back and "patiently" wait...lol!!

Yes! I'm re-reading The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore as research for my sub's second in its trilogy! It's fascinating, inspiring, but infuriating.

#RevPitWaiting I'm so glad I'm not an editor or an agent. I'd read and choose everybody! Only had time to read a few of your WIPs today, and OMG every one of them I would totally love!!

I'm all over the place, too. PB to YA. My PBs are especially diverse. Meta, cute, STEAM, monsters, word play with synonyms and homonyms.. MG and YA tend to be universally creepy, though.

Me too! #1 is a house, 2 is an abandoned asylum, 3 is an entire old town!

#RevPit #RevPitWaiting WIPs: 2 and 3 that would make my sub a trilogy. #1 is The 13-Hour Puzzle. Same kids, different mysteries. All paranormal and creepy. All puzzley and riddley. (are those words? they are now lol) #2 is The Fortune of the 7 Crows, and #3 is The Witch of Wych Elm Hollow.

Good thing I love puzzles and mysteries bc trying to decipher #RevPitTeasers feels a little like one! 😄 "Is it mine? It could be mine. If it's mine, do they like it?" #RevPitWaiting #RevPit I'm sleuthing like my characters!

I love Gordon!! Great song. If I'd have submitted to you, I'd have thought you were talking about mine. There's a shipwreck!

And gender equality (female jarls), gay marriage, books everywhere (even the bandits are well read)...