Amy Leask 2024-04-25 Amy Leask 2024-04-25

What I Learned From A Pufferfish

When I set out to write another kids’ book, I decided to use the noble, but somewhat reactive pufferfish as a jumping off point. I thought about all the ways we 21st century humans tend to react when we’re faced with a difficult question, a challenging idea, or any sort or disagreement or confrontation. Spoiler: it ain’t pretty.

Amy Leask 2022-11-01 Amy Leask 2022-11-01

On The Nakedness of Writing

Here’s what I think our collective fear is: writing (and public speaking too) make a lot of people feel like they do in those dreams where you realize you’re out in public and you’re surprisingly naked.

Amy Leask 2022-10-11 Amy Leask 2022-10-11

An Editor’s Guide To Intolerance

I’m a human being, and every so often, stupid thoughts about other human beings ping-pong around in my head. Honestly, I don’t even believe these things are actually true. These thoughts are basically echoes of historical and cultural “bad grammar”, bits of misinformation or ignorance that I’ve heard often enough to have them lodge themselves into the dark corners of my brain.

Amy Leask 2022-08-09 Amy Leask 2022-08-09

I Do Know Why I Wrote “Idunno”

Not knowing, and being open about it, seeking others who are also a little bit in the dark, isn’t the end of our reputation, our pride, or our sense of self-worth. It’s the beginning of an adventure, and maybe even a way to heal.

Amy Leask 2022-07-17 Amy Leask 2022-07-17

Making It Through With Metaphor

It’s allowed a lot of us to understand how a virus works, and how we keep a society going through stress and isolation. It’s been our comfort, popping up in the movies, tv shows, books and music we’ve consumed while we waited for the world to open up again. I’d wager it’s been part of how we see each other, and how we see ourselves in the emerging “new normal”.

Amy Leask 2022-06-01 Amy Leask 2022-06-01

The Storymaker And The Elves: A Fairy Tale

The next morning, the writer awoke to find that same manuscript arranged neatly, his pen and ink looking alert and ready to work again. It wasn’t like thieves to tidy up after breaking in, he thought as he tiptoed over for a closer look.

Amy Leask 2022-05-29 Amy Leask 2022-05-29

Dodging The Meteorite: Why Writers Aren’t Going Anywhere

I’m going to have to ditch a few vestigial organs in order to adapt, maybe grow an extra set of legs or a pair of wings, but I’m excited about this brave new world into which I’m stepping.

Amy Leask 2022-05-25 Amy Leask 2022-05-25

Addicted To Asides: Why I’m Like Deadpool

If I’m awake (and maybe when I’m asleep), I’m in a heated discussion with hypothetical “others”, some of whom agree with me, and some of whom play devil’s advocate. It’s like I have a built-in fanfic generator for real life, one that allows me to run through a series of what-ifs at any given moment.

Amy Leask 2022-05-14 Amy Leask 2022-05-14

Fiction Writers Are Chronic Oversharers

Years ago, I heard author Wayson Choy speak at a conference, and he argued that we write because we think what we have to say is important, and based on what I’ve seen of writers, I have to agree.

Amy Leask 2022-05-06 Amy Leask 2022-05-06

A Memo From Camus: A Poem

Amy Leask 2022-04-30 Amy Leask 2022-04-30

A (Sort Of) Love Letter To Writing

This or that book didn’t have to be here. In fact, in the grand scheme of things, it was pretty unlikely that it would be written, let alone polished up, noticed by someone in the right place at the right time, and then published. Knowing all of that should take our breath away.