writer — BLOG — Amanda Filippelli

Authenticity and the Creative

It’s long been discussed across the ages that the ultimate plight of the writer is expressing their authentic meaning—creating character interiorities that are authentically representational, creating worlds that mirror the images in our heads, and creating meaning through symbology that is an authentic expression of our intent. If you’re feeling hopeful, don’t. The answer is that it’s impossible.

Writing, EditingAmanda FilippelliSeptember 4, 2019Amanda Filippelliwriting, write, authent, authenticity, book coach, editing, edit, brand, branding, creating, creative, characters, identity, author, writer Comment

Exactly How to Find an Editor + the Privilege of Having One

Do you need an editor? What do they cost? What if you can’t afford an editor? How do you find one? What should you look for? In a response to heated Tweet, I’ve answered ALL of your editing and publishing questions here!

The Truth About Book Sales, Having Heroes, Being an Introvert, and the Haters

Learn the most important things I’ve learned along my entrepreneurial journey as a working author and writer, including how authors really make money, what to do about the haters, why being an introvert is really an advantage, and why it’s important to have heroes.

Writing, Writing TipsAmanda FilippelliJuly 27, 2019Amanda Filippelliwrite, writer, writing, writing tips, kevin smith, chimamanda ngozi adiche, adiche, mentorship, introvert, heroes, career, inspiration, author, editor Comments

Blue Rooms: How the Book Became a Play

Blue Rooms is the first of its kind in that it is a spoken word stage production that creatively combines the worlds of literature and poetry with theater, dance, and music. But beyond that, Blue Rooms is a movement.

Mental Health, WritingAmanda FilippelliJuly 21, 2019Amanda Filippelliwriting events, writer, writing, amwriting, poetry, play, stage, theater, theatre, mental health, depression, anxiety, healing Comment

Lionfish, a Novel and a Journey

To help support your journey, I'm going to let you in to my own. I'm going to share how I got to this point, give you tips for your own process, share my query letter and pitch practice + my (numerous) rejections with you, and let you watch me live pitch a literary agent at this year's conference.

Writing TipsAmanda FilippelliJuly 21, 2019Amanda Filippelliwriter, writing tips, writing, novel, fiction, author, publishing, editor, amwriting, writing events, novella Comments

A Letter From Your Strong Friend

(Trigger warning: this blog contains content about depression, mental illness, and suicide.)

I’ve been struggling lately. There, I said it. And it isn’t easy to write those words down. You don’t know it, but so many moments have passed between that last sentence and this one—so many moments during which I spent grappling with an insecurity that says I should delete what I’ve started here; an insecurity that tells me there’s no real good reason to share the things I’m about to say; an insecurity that feels like a cement brick being balanced on the top of my head; an insecurity that makes my knees want to give out.

Mental HealthAmanda FilippelliJuly 21, 2019Amanda Filippellimental health, depression, writing, writer, suicide, music, art, Linkin Park, Chester Bennington, grief, healingComment

New Year, New Vision

New Year's Resolutions Aren't For Writers

Thoughts on cycles rather than resolutions, solitude, and the art of reflection, + tips for how to be effective and smash your writing goals.

Writing TipsAmanda FilippelliJuly 21, 2019Amanda Filippelliwriter, writing, resolution, art, author, New Year, notes, writing tips, editor Comments