Writers with Dienece-Amy Walsh

Sep 9

7 min read

Updated: Sep 9

Welcome Dear Readers!

Today, we're sitting down with a lady who knows from experience what her character is going through, which incidentally happens to be #7 Jakaranda Laan. (Can you believe we're already at book 7???)

FYI, did you know that Jakaranda Laan is the South African spelling of Jacaranda Lane? But it's not pronounced the same. For starters that J should be pronounced more like a Y, and there should be a slight roll to the R. Next week I'll tell you how to pronounce Laan. :)

Located near the majestic Garden Route of South Africa, the town of Cedarfontein is steeped in history while living firmly in the present. With stories of redemption and salvation behind every door, you’re sure to find a new tale of romance, intrigue, humour or heart. All you have to do is knock!

Our guest today is a lady of many names and hats depending on which genre you'd like to read of hers. She goes by Amy Lynn Walsh if you want clean/closed door romance books or Amelie Lynn if you're looking for middle grade fantasy.

Today, we're meeting her as Amy Walsh, writer of Christian Fiction.

Welcome, Amy!

So glad to have you join us here today. This would have been quite the hike for me from Australia to your place in northeastern Pennsylvania if someone hadn't invented the internet! [Dienece grins] Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself to get us started.

Amy: I'm a fifth-grade teacher in an urban public school in the US. I love to kayak and play pickleball.

Dienece: I've been kayaking before, and of course dumped myself into the water (who doesn't? Don't answer that if you never have), but pickleball is a new-to-me sport. It sounds very interesting.

Pickleball was invented in the 1960s and is a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It can be played indoors or outdoors.

Dienece: Have you got any other hobbies?

Amy: I'm a total reading and writing addict.

Dienece: Oh, I'm definitely with you there!

Amy: I had to put myself on a strict book and writing limit while I was raising my kids because I wanted to be more present in their real lives than my imaginary ones.

Dienece: That's an honourable goal to set. One I still battle with sometimes. Thanks for encouraging us with that.

[Dienece wipes a bead of sweat off her brow] Now, I don't think our Readers understand how calm I'm being right now. Because they can't see where you live. Care to share that little tidbit with them?

Amy: On the side of a mountain in northeastern Pennsylvania

Dienece: Ek! I hate heights, and now, Dear Readers, you know why I'm sweating. But I was being so calm and professional. At least, I was trying to be.

I'm not sure I could handle living on the side of a mountain even if the views are amazing. Readers, how would you feel about it? Tell us in the comments!

Now, before we fall off the side of this mountain--which my brain says will happen at any moment--we'd better talk about your new book, Amy. Because that will be the perfect distraction for a book addict like me!

The Singer's Calling is a heartwarming story of faith, friendship, healing, and the surprising ways God brings people together when they need one another most.

Cancer took Alexandra Ward's leg. It also took the future she thought she wanted. Now she spends her days answering crisis calls for Harbor Light and trying to figure out what comes next.

When a desperate late-night call connects her with a pastor and a young mother in South Africa, an unexpected friendship begins to grow across continents.

Read The Singer's Calling here

Dienece: I must say I love your cover. It was one of my favourites from this series. Mostly because I want to live in it! And my favourite colour is red.

Speaking of things I love, this book really has me intrigued. I enjoyed the other books you wrote in previous Our House series (The Maestro's Missing Melody and The Sister's Tour), and I can't wait to read this one.

Was there any particular inspiration for your characters?

Amy: Two years ago, I was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in my leg. When I went into my cancer removal surgery, I didn't know if I would wake up with my leg intact because I gave my oncology team the go-ahead to do whatever would give me the most longevity. I'm so grateful for the outcome -- I had a thigh muscle transplanted into the area where the cancer had been -- and after physical therapy and radiation, I have pretty near the mobility I had before. While I was in the hospital and getting treatment afterward, I met so many young, beautiful people who had lost so much more than I did to cancer. I am so inspired by their courage, faith and willpower. I see young people with missing limbs and later stages of cancer hiking, running marathons, and racing cars professionally. They were the inspiration for Alexandra.

Dienece: Oh wow, that must have been so tough. I can definitely see why you used that as inspiration for your character who has lost a leg to cancer. Personal experiences can really make a book so much more real, because it's authentic.

Amy: The source of inspiration for Lindiwe, the young single mother from South Africa came from my volunteer service with Peace with God chat ministries. This was a ministry I joined when I didn't know if I would be homebound or any details about what my longevity might be. I started thinking about how the only thing that really mattered was our souls and eternity. I was looking for an open door to make an eternal difference, and praying for an opportunity. It wasn't too long after my first prayer along these lines that I saw an advertisement for working online for Billy Graham's Search for Jesus ministry. The training was intensive and included some of the best Bible studies I've ever been part of. I've met so many amazing volunteers and seeks through my time with the ministry. The HarborLight ministry that Alexandra becomes part of is loosely based on my own volunteer ministry.

Dienece: What a wonderful organization to be involved in! It sounds intense, but as you said, a very worthwhile endeavour. I'm so glad organizations like this exist, and that you choose to write about one. That way more people can know about them

I'm getting very excited to see what you have in store for us when this book release on September 11th!

But before we continue, I was wondering. Can I ask you about your unique phone case? Is there a story behind that?

Amy: Proverbs 3:5-6 -- My grammy always signed her letters and cards with this reference. It has become so meaningful to me over the years. My daughter Bree even made me beaded phone cases for my last two phones that have the beginning of the passage written, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." What a blessing those phone cases have been, always within my sight, with a neat texture to rub when anxious, and also quite a conversation piece. So many people notice it and ask about the verse.

Dienece: I love that. Such a wonderful testimony of your grammy, and a great way to witness to others.

Amy: Another very important passage I live by is Philippians 4:6-8. Those verses have truly transformed my mind and helped me to be more reliant on truth and on Christ. I call the list of items we should focus on my thought filter: THINK on what's True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind.

Dienece: Yes, even though I know the verses well, I've found it's always good to come back and revisit them and test what I'm doing, saying, and thinking against them regularly because I'm forgetful.

You mentioned before that you're a fifth-grade teacher, and you write middle-grade books under the pen name Amelie Lynn.

So, I'd love to know what was your favourite book as a child?

Amy: My two favorite childhood book series were Anne of Green Gables and Trixie Belden. I read those books over and over!

My character Nellie reminds me somewhat of Anne and Trixie in that Nellie is impulsive and prone to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[Dienece laughs] Wrong place, wrong time. I love those scenes! They can be such fun.

Anne of Green Gables was one of my top favourites alongside the books about Laura Wilder's daughter, but I've never read Trixie Belden before.

[Dienece discreetly disappears to look up the author on Amazon]. Whoops, my mistake. It's not an author, but a character, my Dear Readers!

The Trixie books look a bit like Mandie and The Sugar Creek Gang. We read a lot of those when I was a kid. I'll have to see about trying to get me a Trixie book to give her a go! Thanks for the rec, Amy.

Readers, have you ever read Anne or Trixie? Tell us in the comments!

And just before I say goodbye, Amy, can you tell us the best place for readers to find you?

Amy: The best place to find me is on my website, https://walshmountainpublishing.com/ or via my newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/k2a9n1

Dienece: The title of your publisher reminds me that we're perched on the side of your mountain. Eek!

Well, it's been loving chatting with you, Amy. Thank you for distracting me from our location with talks about your upcoming book, but it's time to get off this mountain and go check out your book!

Readers, feel free to ask Amy questions in the comments, or join her newsletter here. And don't forget to check out her new book, The Singer's Calling!

Thanks for joining us today. I'll be back next week with the author from House #8! But before that, check out House #7!