Amy Babiarz has been writing since the first grade (SO many stories about dolphins), and feels it was only a matter of time before a story found its way into the world! She stopped by to talk about her novel.
Q What inspired you to make the jump into publishing your work?
My wife! I had a completed manuscript and I was sitting on it because I was too nervous to start sending it out. My wife, Sarah, was the one who really encouraged me to do so, and I had the honor of being picked as the first published fiction novel through my publisher, Unbound Press. I’ve written since I was seven, and I knew it would be a matter of time before something made its way into the world, but ultimately, I owe it to Sarah.
Q You work as an advocate at an LGBTQ+ center. Has that impacted your approach to telling stories?
I actually am no longer working at the Center–we moved out of state a few years ago. However, it certainly had an impact on my writing. I’ve been in social work for almost eleven years, and I’ve seen the importance of positive LGBTQ representation, age-appropriate materials, and the impact that stigmas against mental health can have on people. It’s really important to me that I show through my writing that mental health needs do not mean that people cannot still be intelligent, fierce, and powerful people. I don’t think that’s seen regularly enough, and instead of romanticizing mental health, I like to show the realities of it.
Q You recently published Before We Rise, the sequel to your first book After the Last Fall. What did you learn during the process of the first book that helped you with the second one?
I definitely learned how to finetune language and scene building through the process of my first book. I also learned the importance of being okay with throwing away writing and starting all over-forcing scenes to happen is never the right answer, and it took me a while to learn that! I think, too, I learned how to be comfortable with being vulnerable. Writing is always a vulnerable thing because it’s something so personal.
Q What other authors do you read for craft and creative inspiration?
Ooh, good question. I love Libba Bray, Tamora Pierce, Garth Nix, Kelley Quindlen…but, I also love the classics. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, is my comfort!
Q Do you ever experience self-doubt during the writing process? How do you overcome it?
Oh, absolutely! Every word I write, I’m like, “hm, really?” I wish I had a clean explanation for how to overcome it, but the truth is that you never fully overcome it. You just have to keep reminding yourself that this story DOES matter, even if it only matters to a couple of people. The editing process is very humbling, because you come to learn all of the weird phrasing, overuse of words, and weaker writing that you use, and you need to be okay with not always creating the perfect product.
Q if people want more information about you or your projects where should they go?
I’m most active on instagram, at @ababiarzwrites.
Final four questions –we ask everybody.
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
I’ll be deep underground in a bunker. Zombies? Nooo, thank you. I’m an introvert–I’ll be fine underground.
Q ) What is your favorite Fandom?
What a tricky question. I’m really vibing with the Twilight fandom right now. I’m in the Twilight Shitposting (please censor this if you don’t like cursing) group on Facebook, and it’s so entertaining. Sometimes, it’s just good to enjoy something for the entertainment value.
Q) What piece of art, be it in the form of music, a book, a film or picture, do you think people must experience before they die?
My ALL-TIME favorite book (series) is A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (The Gemma Doyle trilogy). I have a quote from the first book tattooed on my ribs, and I make EVERYONE read the books. I’ve read it so many times that I’m on my fifth set of the books. I have a problem.
Her Name in the Sky by Kelly Quindlen is another of my favorites–I think it’s so beautiful.
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
I’ve gotta be honest, I’m kind of a boring person. My fun facts are usually, “I play three instruments and sing,” or, “My wife banned me from buying more hand towels because they always have cats on them.” I wish I had something better to give you!
Paper Phoenix ink 