Awwww yayyy Amy!!! So happy to see you here. 😍😍😍 All the yes to all of this - especially the support piece! The showing up for each other even if it’s in little comment boxes sometimes feels like it’s everything. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
It's funny because I don't think its a big deal when I make supportive comments on others' posts, but when I get those types of comments on my writing it means everything.
Amy thank you for sharing your story. Your last response to the question is impactful.
From Amy—
Humans have created too many structures that divide us, like religion, race, and the gender binary. The DNA of any two people on Earth is approximately ninety-nine point nine percent identical. At our core, we all want to be loved and appreciated for who we are. My guiding force is dismantling hierarchical cultural and economic systems that relegate so many to the margins.
Amy, my friend from way back when I started on Substack! I’m incredibly proud of you. I love how you’ve turned those honest and gut-punching essays into an amazing book. I couldn’t be more thrilled for your success! Love you!💛🥰💕🎊🎉👏
I’m only blushing a little bit @Mary Roblyn. I remember when I found your essay about how you mimicked dancing when trying to lift your husband in the bathroom. I related to being in a situation that would have been comical under completely different circumstances and how that added another layer of grief. You are such a good writer Mary, and I’m so happy you keep coming back to writing over and over. You are meant to be here, your voice is meant to be heard. You’ve made an impact on so many Substackeans (is that a word? I guess it is now 🤣), especially me. ❤️
Amy, I’m so glad that we found each other here. Substack is my home, and you really liven up the place. Your writing means so much to me. You’ve shown me that grief is not just one thing, and that each of us experiences it in ways that may seem inappropriate or even shameful. Your willingness to share your full range of emotion shows true integrity. Thank you for being here, my friend.
Not me screenshotting @Mary Roblyn’s comment and taping it to my mirror as a reminder when I doubt myself. Wait, who said that? Not me. Carry on everyone, nothing to see here. I’m just a normal midlife woman with perfectly healthy self-esteem 24/7 🤣🥹 Thank you Mary ❤️🥰
I'm happy you enjoyed the interview, Paulette! I was given two copies of The Prophet when I graduated from Art School. One by my boss; I forget who gave me the other! Such a beautiful book! Even more meaningful with inscriptions from beloveds!
That's so cool, Jane. Yes, the other book my mother gifted me and inscribed, which I still have, held together with a rubber band, is Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. It makes me so curious about the woman my mother was, beyond being a mother. It's a thread I'm exploring in my second book.
I pull it out every now and then and wonder what my mother was thinking when she gave it to me. Who she was at that time in her life. Thanks for sharing, Amy.
Yes, I love the comments also. It may not seem much to most people, but It is so important to me to receive comments, and to know that I'm not writing into the void. Great Q & A, Amy.
I have those very sneakers and bought them to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary. They make me so happy. A lovely interview, thank you to both of you.
Yay for fancy sneakers! They have a little lift in them too, which doesn’t hurt for someone like me who is 5’2” and shrinking. I appreciate your kind words @Elizabeth Marro 🥰
Love that your parents gifted you a book as a teenager and it became a prized possession! Agree that encouraging words can totally become a lifeline. And very wise words about what we control (and don’t control). This writer is looking forward to reading Amy’s memoir!
Hi Amy, why a journey, l am so grateful for this community and the connections. Wouldn’t it be great for us to all sit at a table … l imagine that scenario often. Your book is somewhere in transit, looking forward to adding it to my collection 🙏💚
I don’t have a lot of faith in the U.S. postal service, (and many other US systems) but I have my fingers crossed that the book will arrive soon. If you want to get started on a pdf version, I’m happy to email it to you. No pressure, just drop me a DM with your email if you are interested. And yes, it would be wonderful to all be together in person! XO 🥰❤️
You’re sweet 😊, l have just checked my email. I ordered it from Booktopia Australia, it’s being posted by Australia Post, so it should be here when l get back from my camping trip 😊. Our postal service is slow too. ❤️
Amy! All this glittery literary and fashionista wisdom truly celebrates your voice and brings so many wonderful human beings together. :) We are mostly H20 and squishy soft souls who want to share stories and be seen and heard. Dogs are so good at this!
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Amy! How wonderful you also have an inscribed copy of The Prophet from your parents. This is inspiring me to pull mine off the shelf!!
I’ve admired your work since The Sun!☀️ And equally happy for you. Merci Jane Joon. Off the shelf and into a Substack Book Club, perhaps? Or possibly enjoy returning to all the poetry and literature that brings you joy as well? 🍵🍯🌱
Omg, I love that we read all the same books and that you also have an inscribed copy of The Prophet from your parents 🥰. I’m so happy this interview resonated with you. I joke that I am like a mermaid who collects shiny objects 🤣. I do love my sneakers ❤️
How else could I get to NYC from Saint Louis and Illinois without the Mixed-Up Files? Proud of you, 🧜♀️ Mermaid! *splash* and yes, your voice does resonate with me and others. Keep shining!
Beautiful interview. I loved living with the babysitter and her dog by a pool, and I loved the guiding knowledge of how much we are all alike and want the same things—and they are peaceful desires. Amy Gabrielle's soul shines through these answers.
Alice, thank you for this kind and generous comment. We did have so much fun those summers with my son’s sitter, Charlotte, and her beloved dog, Milo. Wishing you a happy Monday and a wonderful week ahead. 🥰
Awwww yayyy Amy!!! So happy to see you here. 😍😍😍 All the yes to all of this - especially the support piece! The showing up for each other even if it’s in little comment boxes sometimes feels like it’s everything. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
It's funny because I don't think its a big deal when I make supportive comments on others' posts, but when I get those types of comments on my writing it means everything.
I soooooo agree, Mesa!! Kind comments, no matter how small, can mean everything! I so appreciate how Amy highlighted that! ❤️
Me Too, ME TOO! 💜
I love this! So many facets and (glittery) layers, and yes to supporting one another. Also thank you for The Midnight Croissant shout-out! 💖
People need to know about Pearly and The Midnight Croissant 🥰🎉 I’m just doing my part to get the word out.
I love that: glittery layers! So true! And, yes-yes, to supporting one another!! And congrats on your book, Bonnie!
Thank you!
Amy thank you for sharing your story. Your last response to the question is impactful.
From Amy—
Humans have created too many structures that divide us, like religion, race, and the gender binary. The DNA of any two people on Earth is approximately ninety-nine point nine percent identical. At our core, we all want to be loved and appreciated for who we are. My guiding force is dismantling hierarchical cultural and economic systems that relegate so many to the margins.
I love that quote, too, Mary! So potent!! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview!
Thank you so much Mary! I’m happy this resonated with you. I advocate strongly for equity and equality.🥰
Amy, my friend from way back when I started on Substack! I’m incredibly proud of you. I love how you’ve turned those honest and gut-punching essays into an amazing book. I couldn’t be more thrilled for your success! Love you!💛🥰💕🎊🎉👏
Yes to all of this, Mary!! ❤️
I’m only blushing a little bit @Mary Roblyn. I remember when I found your essay about how you mimicked dancing when trying to lift your husband in the bathroom. I related to being in a situation that would have been comical under completely different circumstances and how that added another layer of grief. You are such a good writer Mary, and I’m so happy you keep coming back to writing over and over. You are meant to be here, your voice is meant to be heard. You’ve made an impact on so many Substackeans (is that a word? I guess it is now 🤣), especially me. ❤️
Amy, I’m so glad that we found each other here. Substack is my home, and you really liven up the place. Your writing means so much to me. You’ve shown me that grief is not just one thing, and that each of us experiences it in ways that may seem inappropriate or even shameful. Your willingness to share your full range of emotion shows true integrity. Thank you for being here, my friend.
Not me screenshotting @Mary Roblyn’s comment and taping it to my mirror as a reminder when I doubt myself. Wait, who said that? Not me. Carry on everyone, nothing to see here. I’m just a normal midlife woman with perfectly healthy self-esteem 24/7 🤣🥹 Thank you Mary ❤️🥰
Thanks, Amy and Jane, for sharing your story.
I, too, have a copy of The Prophet that my mother gifted me many long years ago, with her inscription. It's a treasure.
I'm happy you enjoyed the interview, Paulette! I was given two copies of The Prophet when I graduated from Art School. One by my boss; I forget who gave me the other! Such a beautiful book! Even more meaningful with inscriptions from beloveds!
That's so cool, Jane. Yes, the other book my mother gifted me and inscribed, which I still have, held together with a rubber band, is Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. It makes me so curious about the woman my mother was, beyond being a mother. It's a thread I'm exploring in my second book.
I'm not familiar with that book. I will have to look it up. So true, these books are insights into our parents, aren't they. Beautiful!
If you do, I’d love to hear your thoughts, Jane.
Thank you Paulette! I love that you have a gifted copy of The Prophet with an inscription too. 🥰
I pull it out every now and then and wonder what my mother was thinking when she gave it to me. Who she was at that time in her life. Thanks for sharing, Amy.
Oh, that's beautiful! ❤️
Me too, and mine is inscribed and a treasure. Amy and I had a moment around that awhile back. 💜
How lovely, Joanie!! ❤️
I remember Joanie 🥰❤️
Oh, that’s so lovely, Joanie! Sweet.
Yes, I love the comments also. It may not seem much to most people, but It is so important to me to receive comments, and to know that I'm not writing into the void. Great Q & A, Amy.
Yes to kind comments!! Verbal or written! So happy you enjoyed the interview, Nancy!
Thank you Nancy! I’m so glad this resonated with you. P.S. I’m putting something in the mail for you today 🥰
Congratulations, Amy! I’m excited to read it soon.
Enjoy!
I can’t wait for you to read it @Rona Maynard ! 🥰
It launches a bit later here in Canada.
I have those very sneakers and bought them to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary. They make me so happy. A lovely interview, thank you to both of you.
Oh my gosh, that's wild you also have them, Elizabeth! They're fabulous!! So happy you enjoyed the interview!! 🌸
Yay for fancy sneakers! They have a little lift in them too, which doesn’t hurt for someone like me who is 5’2” and shrinking. I appreciate your kind words @Elizabeth Marro 🥰
I can totally relate to that duality in grief... And those sneakers are fabulous!!
Yes and yes! 🌸
Thank you @Imola ! I do love my sneakers 🥰❤️
Love that your parents gifted you a book as a teenager and it became a prized possession! Agree that encouraging words can totally become a lifeline. And very wise words about what we control (and don’t control). This writer is looking forward to reading Amy’s memoir!
Yes to all of this, Istiaq! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you so much @Istiaq Mian, MD ! I can’t wait for your review 🥰
Hi Amy, why a journey, l am so grateful for this community and the connections. Wouldn’t it be great for us to all sit at a table … l imagine that scenario often. Your book is somewhere in transit, looking forward to adding it to my collection 🙏💚
Happy you enjoyed the interview, Simone!
🙏😊💜
I don’t have a lot of faith in the U.S. postal service, (and many other US systems) but I have my fingers crossed that the book will arrive soon. If you want to get started on a pdf version, I’m happy to email it to you. No pressure, just drop me a DM with your email if you are interested. And yes, it would be wonderful to all be together in person! XO 🥰❤️
You’re sweet 😊, l have just checked my email. I ordered it from Booktopia Australia, it’s being posted by Australia Post, so it should be here when l get back from my camping trip 😊. Our postal service is slow too. ❤️
Yeah Amy!
Happy you enjoyed it, Summer! ❤️
🥰❤️
Thank you for this delightfully sparkly interview of our Queen Amy, Jane! ✨🤍
Aw, I love that kaylen! So happy you enjoyed it! ❤️
Sparkly isn’t my middle name, but maybe it should be? Or bedazzled? I’ll sleep on it. 🥰
Bedazzled!! 😍😂✨✨
I love watching you Amy move forward.
Such beautiful answers, I agree!
Thank you Mary Beth! 🥰❤️
Amy! All this glittery literary and fashionista wisdom truly celebrates your voice and brings so many wonderful human beings together. :) We are mostly H20 and squishy soft souls who want to share stories and be seen and heard. Dogs are so good at this!
From Judy Blume to
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_the_Mixed-Up_Files_of_Mrs._Basil_E._Frankweiler
We’ve all read the same books!!
I too have an inscribed copy of The Prophet too from my parents. His name means, “Poet.”
I was in grade school so of course wrote my name inside with a crayon. :)
Can’t wait to read your work! 🥰
And congratulations 🎉 Bonnie!! I hope others enjoy Pearly and The Midnight Croissant 🥐!!!
Wonderful interview!
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Amy! How wonderful you also have an inscribed copy of The Prophet from your parents. This is inspiring me to pull mine off the shelf!!
I’ve admired your work since The Sun!☀️ And equally happy for you. Merci Jane Joon. Off the shelf and into a Substack Book Club, perhaps? Or possibly enjoy returning to all the poetry and literature that brings you joy as well? 🍵🍯🌱
Oh, thank you, Amy! That means so much! xx
You’re welcome, Jane! Xx
Omg, I love that we read all the same books and that you also have an inscribed copy of The Prophet from your parents 🥰. I’m so happy this interview resonated with you. I joke that I am like a mermaid who collects shiny objects 🤣. I do love my sneakers ❤️
How else could I get to NYC from Saint Louis and Illinois without the Mixed-Up Files? Proud of you, 🧜♀️ Mermaid! *splash* and yes, your voice does resonate with me and others. Keep shining!
Beautiful interview. I loved living with the babysitter and her dog by a pool, and I loved the guiding knowledge of how much we are all alike and want the same things—and they are peaceful desires. Amy Gabrielle's soul shines through these answers.
Ooooh, Alice, how beautifully put: they are peaceful desires. That made my heart sing. I'm glad you enjoyed it! ❤️
Alice, thank you for this kind and generous comment. We did have so much fun those summers with my son’s sitter, Charlotte, and her beloved dog, Milo. Wishing you a happy Monday and a wonderful week ahead. 🥰