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Category: Currently Reading

May 4, 2021May 4, 2021

Jessie Burton’s ‘The Confession’

I do a lot of my reading via audiobook these days. I am working alone, for the first time ever, and I like the company of a story as I run around the French countryside, or eat my soup for lunch, or fold up the laundry from the rack. Working from home can feel mundane;…

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April 21, 2021

Daisy Buchanan’s ‘Insatiable’

I was fortunate enough to attend an interview with Daisy Buchanan run by the London Writers’ Salon (who, incidentally, have changed my writing life with their daily writers’ hour – check it out!) and I bought Insatiable straight afterwards. The idea of a book which was uncompromising about female sexuality and sexual adventures sounded right up my…

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March 26, 2021

George Eliot’s ‘Middlemarch’

I can’t tell you how many times I have picked up Middlemarch to read, then put it straight back down again, intimidated by its heft. Recently I decided that I can’t make claims to being a novelist without having read the novel which people have called the best of all time – but the book was still…

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February 21, 2021

Nell Frizzell’s ‘The Panic Years’

I had no idea how much I needed this book until I read it. As a woman in my early thirties (I’m actually 34, so I should probably just admit that I’m in my mid-thirties) who has been lucky enough to meet the love of her life and who has always wanted a family, I…

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February 4, 2021

C. J. Skuse’s ‘Sweetpea’

Who could resist a book which promises ‘American Psycho meets Fleabag‘? This was one of those books where I thought, oh man… I wish I had had this idea. But even if I had had this idea, I’m not sure I could execute it half as well as C. J. Skuse does. I loved: The twisted…

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February 1, 2021February 4, 2021

Amanda Lee Koe’s ‘Delayed Rays of a Star’

This was my second book from the Books That Matter feminist subscription box which I gifted myself back in November 2020, then gifted to some of my nearest and dearest. Along with the book, you get some gorgeous extras – including stationery AND snacks. Did they invent this box especially for me? I think so….

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January 25, 2021

Barack Obama’s ‘A Promised Land’

I’ve been making my way through Barack Obama’s amazing new book at top speed, even though it is the size of the brick. I have such respect for Obama, who I find to be incredibly intelligent and articulate, but also completely human. I loved: The insights into the day-to-day happenings at the White House Obama’s…

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December 30, 2020

Albertine Sarrazin’s ‘Astragal’

The life story of the author, Albertine Sarrazin, is just as interesting as the book itself. Astragal is a semi-autobiographical look at the life of a young woman, Anne, on the run from prison, who breaks her ankle in the leap over the prison wall and who falls in love with her rescuer, Julien. I loved:…

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December 17, 2020

Rachel Bloom’s ‘I Want To Be Where The Normal People Are’

I am a huge fan of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the musical comedy series which Rachel Bloom co-created and starred in. It was just so damn real. And enormously funny at the same time. So, I was really excited to read Bloom’s book of essays which were just as hilarious and moving as I expected. (I also listened…

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December 11, 2020December 15, 2020

Balli Kaur Jaswal’s ‘Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows’

It is difficult to classify this book. Is it a thriller? Erotica? Literature of the Indian Diaspora? Either way, it is an enjoyable yarn. I loved: Women being at the centre of this book The Southall Gurdwara setting which took me back to early days with my family The erotic stories which were both sexy…

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_amyarora

One year older, and one year since I started this One year older, and one year since I started this account. 

A lot has changed in a year (🤰🏻) but one thing I am very proud of is that I have made space in my life to write, and it has brought me untold joy. 

Who knows? Maybe next year my novel will be in the shops...

#birthdays
Three months later, I remembered this Instagram ex Three months later, I remembered this Instagram existed.

Here's a wholesome photo dump.
1. Still editing and just got these excellent books as recommended by @amiemccracken and @urbanwritersretreat 
2. Baby fever has arrived.
3. My boyfriend made a robin house.
4. 31 weeks pregnant.
5. The Pyrénées, just because. 

As excited as I am about impending motherhood, I'm also feeling the pressure to get my book into a better state and send it off to agents before the truly sleepless nights begin. 

So, does anyone want to be a beta reader? I'll send you a printed copy.
I've written four out of five days this week and I I've written four out of five days this week and I'm counting that as a win. Three chapters edited and in better shape. I'll be searching for beta readers soon! 

In other news, bereft at the lack of Bonfire Night in France, we just did some sparklers in the garden. Five minutes of excitement! Now back to the sofa.
I don't know why but these Words of Wisdom from @l I don't know why but these Words of Wisdom from @londonwriterssalon made me cry. It's permission, isn't it? Permission to put something into the world, just because you can. 

Editing day 2 is going well. I'm working through Chapter Two, checking that it all makes sense. Some of the writing is great! Some of it is terrible. 

On we go.
Let's face it, 2020 was a weird old year. But one Let's face it, 2020 was a weird old year. But one of the biggest silver linings for me was the chance to finally take part in #nanowrimo 

I wrote a bonkers 50,000 words in one month and I learnt that writing a novel was not impossible. I also learnt that it's a good idea to have some vague kind of outline to avoid inevitable madness.

That novel is on my computer and will probably stay there forever, but taking part in the challenge gave me the confidence to write a second novel, titled Missingh People. This one might actually go somewhere. 

This year November is my editing month. The goal is a decent second draft by Christmas. I'll be checking in each day with updates on how I'm going. I'm so excited and extra grateful for that second trimester energy 🙌🏽
Hard relate. #somanybookssolittletime Hard relate.

#somanybookssolittletime
Where's the newsletter, you may be asking? Where i Where's the newsletter, you may be asking? Where is the latest installment of ADVENTURES & ADVICE? 

Truth be told, my creative brain has been taking a holiday lately. Here's hoping it will return in the coming weeks. Until then, I'd better get reading. 

#futurmaman
Every now and then, a book knocks you over. Maggie Every now and then, a book knocks you over. Maggie O'Farrell's extraordinary memoir definitely did. 

Highly recommended.
New writing alert ⚠️ It was such a pleasure New writing alert ⚠️ 

It was such a pleasure to write about my safari adventures in Tanzania for Vacations Magazine, published by Ensemble Travel. 

Go have a read at the link in my bio and let me know what you think!
It's been a while but I'm back! Thanks to the fol It's been a while but I'm back!

Thanks to the folks over at @londonwriterssalon for these words of wisdom.

Is it just me or does September feel like a time for even more New Year's resolutions?

This is mine: Get to a decent second draft of the novel by Christmas.

What are yours?
Moving this one to the grid because I love this sn Moving this one to the grid because I love this snazzy wool bow. 

The first editing step on my novel-writing course with @urbanwritersretreat is to re-read the book and write down a "reverse outline" of exactly what happens in each scene. 

This is a great plan, because there are whole sections that I have no memory of writing. Really. No memory at all.
What a well-worn, mature passport featuring a Dora What a well-worn, mature passport featuring a Dora the Explorer sticker. 

It's the right picture for the latest installment of ADVENTURES & ADVICE though, which is all about Adventures in... Airports ✈

You know, those places we all used to frequent before we were grounded by Covid.

Have a read at the link in my bio and if you like what you read, I'd love it if you would subscribe.
I don't think I really understood The Yellow Wallp I don't think I really understood The Yellow Wallpaper until recently. It is such a simple premise. I remember feeling underwhelmed when I read it at university, wondering what all the fuss was about. Now I think it should probably be compulsory reading for all women my age.

This morning, my student and I had a go at drawing the wallpaper as per the narrator's descriptions. The second pic is my effort. I like how creepy it is. 

What stories have you come back to and suddenly understood later in your life? (Don't even get me started on Streetcar.)
Manic face, mojito and celebrating getting my seco Manic face, mojito and celebrating getting my second ever piece commissioned from a pitch 🥂

This freelance writing stuff can mean lots of rejections/no replies, so it's good to celebrate the wins!
This photo does not do justice to the beauty of th This photo does not do justice to the beauty of this scene, which made me stop and stare. 

I've also now seen two snakes while running in France! Tanzania, eat your heart out 😂

The best bit about running around the countryside like a maniac in 28-degree heat is that now I feel completely justified to sit on the sofa with my book for the rest of the day. Actually who am I kidding?! I was definitely going to do that anyway.
Hiii everyone, school is out for the summer, which Hiii everyone, school is out for the summer, which means I've had more time to write!

Lots of it has been of the anonymous content writer variety, but here are a few bits of writerly news:

✍🏼 My latest guest blog post for @bedrocklearning is out now. It's all about emotional literacy. Go read it at the link in my bio.

✍🏼 The next installment of my newsletter, Adventures & Advice, is coming out tomorrow. If you haven't subscribed yet, why not? If the thought of more emails is too much, feel free to just have a read. The link is, you guessed it, in my bio 😉

✍🏼 I'm about 7000 words away from finishing the first draft of my novel, Missingh People. That's not a typo in the title. Can you guess what it's about?

Feel so lucky to have a chance to pursue this #writerlife 💓
I used to think affirmations were a bit silly. Now I used to think affirmations were a bit silly. Now I know better. The way that we talk to ourselves matters. 

An affirmation is a way of saying, "I'm okay, just as I am." And then growing from there.

I've been drawing a card out from this deck each morning and just keeping an eye on it all day. It's making a difference. 

Thank you @lesley_stonier @bryonyfrippillustration 

💓
Toulouse by night. Inspiration is everywhere! Toulouse by night. 

Inspiration is everywhere!
Ask Amy is available in my newsletter, Adventures Ask Amy is available in my newsletter, Adventures & Advice. Link in bio.

What's your take on short-term relationships? Are we "allowed" to feel sad when they end?
The latest installment of Adventures & Advice is o The latest installment of Adventures & Advice is out now. It's all about football! 

(I know, I know... graphic design is my hidden calling.)

Subscribers: It should be in your inbox 😊

If you are yet to subscribe, or you want to read without subscribing, the link is in my bio. 

Let me know what you think!
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