Author’s Bio: Amy
L. Bernstein writes stories, essays, and poems that let readers feel while
making them think. Her novels include The Potrero Complex, the
award-winning The Nighthawkers, Dreams of Song Times, and Fran, The
Second Time Around, voted best young adult novel by the Maryland Writers’
Association. Amy is an award-winning journalist, speechwriter, playwright, and
certified nonfiction book coach. She
lives, works, and plays in Baltimore, Maryland. Learn more: https://amywrites.live

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

Amy L. Bernstein: Dreams of Song Times grew
out of a desire to push my imagination in new directions. My previous books
were grounded in reality, though tinged with speculation. With Dreams, I
wanted to see if I could combine my interests in socially relevant fiction with
magical realism. And voila! A human-mermaid named Ell was born and became the
center of a fight for the right to exist and be accepted. 

DL: How do you handle
writer’s block?

ALB: When
I get stuck on a project, I turn to something completely different. So if I’m stuck
on a novel, I’ll try to write an essay or some poetry. Or I’ll begin
free-writing all the ways the story I’m stuck on could evolve and change, to
shake myself loose from whatever corner I’ve painted myself into.

DL: What is your writing process?

ALB: I am a combination of a “planner”
and a “pantser.” I do plan key elements of my novels, including characters,
conflicts, and major plot points. I tend to write many pages of notes outlining
chapters or reminders of how things need to connect. But I also let inspiration
take me in surprising directions—when I’m lucky enough for that to occur. So
quite often, I’ll start drafting and find that I’m moving quite far away from
the direction of the scene I thought I was going to write, but the characters
are taking me elsewhere. That usually works out better than my original plan. 

DL: What elements do you
think make a good story?

ALB: Every
good story, in the traditional sense, must involve at least one strong main
character that readers root for and care about; a strong conflict, meaning,
obstacles that must be overcome; and an emotional arc of change, meaning the
main characters learns, grows, and changes over time.

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book?

ALB: Dreams of Song Times went
through more extensive drafts and rewrites than any book I’ve written. The
first draft had a vague, dream-like quality, a lot of poetic language, and the
storytelling wasn’t deep enough. My original version of Ell didn’t share her
emotions adequately, either. I changed the storyline many times before finally
creating the big adventure that’s in the final version. Making deep changes was
difficult, painful, and there were many times when I lost sight of the story I
was trying to tell. But I’m happy with the final result! 

DL: What are the keys to
success in marketing your book(s)?

ALB: Book marketing is a thorn in the side of many
authors—including me. But we must do it. I think the trick is to find ways of
marketing that you’re comfortable with; it’s not essential to be active in
every channel. Engaging with real readers seems critical to me, as opposed to
relying on paid ads. I can’t say that I’m marketing my books successfully, but
I’m getting better at it. I don’t try to “sell” but rather to share content.
And I’m cultivating Relationships with readers through a newsletter and a blog.

Anyway, I’m currently marketing my other
books published last year, The Potrero Complex (a mystery-thriller) and The
Nighthawkers (a paranormal romance). Plus, I’m beginning revisions to a new
novel, having just completed the first draft. 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?

ALB: First, you must believe in your
story and your ability to tell it. Second, recognize that writing is difficult,
even painful, and if you don’t feel compelled to do it—to spend many hours
writing and revising—then consider another pursuit. Third, be open to
constructive criticism from people who know what they’re talking about—not your
best friends and family, but professional editors, other authors, etc. And
fourth, getting rejected is built into becoming a writer. Don’t let it stop
you! 

DL: What are three fun facts
about yourself?

ALB: Here you go:

1.                  
I
have almost no sense of smell and it has nothing to do with Covid. For most of
my life, I’ve been unable to smell what everyone else smells. Flowers? Once in
a while, if I lean in deeply, I can smell a rose. It’s weird to have to take
cues from other people—watching them detect and respond to scents that I am
completely unaware of. (Is this a fun fact? Hmm.)

2.                  
I
used to be a singer. Not soloist-level, but a very competent soprano and a
member of many very good choral groups. Then, suddenly, I lost my voice after
taking a break from music. My vocal cords simply will not cooperate. I can hear
the note, understand the pitch, but my voice can’t replicate it. This is a huge
loss that I’ve had to learn to cope with.

3.                  
I
have a true phobia about insects, especially spiders. My whole body goes into
panic mode when I see a spider or any member of the arachnid family. I’m
talking abject terror. I know my fear is irrational, but it is very, very real.
(Ask my husband!)

DL: Would you like to
share an excerpt from Dreams
of Song Times?

ALB: Sure, here’s the excerpt:             

I don’t know exactly how I landed a
short while ago at the tide’s edge on this island, with its blue rocks, singing
sea grasses, and powdered sand. My memory’s still a little fuzzy. I suspect I
had help. I recall feeling the water propelling me as if I were riding atop a
rocket. And I still feel the firm imprint of unseen hands guiding me.

Ah, yes, a giant wall of water was
about to engulf me. Then everything went black. I remember that part now. I
hope I remember the rest soon.

Older memories are more intact. I know
who I am: Ell Gossamer, in her twentieth year of life. I know I put on this
wetsuit, which I’m now peeling off, to shield me from the icy river that
brought me from home to the sea and then to here…wherever here is.

I know what I’ve concealed inside the
wetsuit: a family heirloom, Dreams of Song Times. I’m counting on this
book to help me understand what happens next. 

I’ll
take a moment now to feel the hot sun on my naked skin, the color of walnuts,
someone once told me. Actually, my skin looks more like the blue-gray of the
ocean, sleek and smooth. The wind makes the grasses sing, a soft handful of
notes gliding up and down a scale. The island is so small I can see the other
shore. A speck of land surrounded only by water as far as the eye can see. 

DL: Where can readers learn
more about you and purchase your book(s)?

ALB: Readers
can find out more information here:

• Website: https://amywrites.live
• Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-L.-Bernstein/e/B001K7W94M
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/AmyLBernsteinAuthor
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/@amylbernstein
• Blog: https://amywrites.live/blog
• Book Buy Links: visit my website or Amazon 

DL: Thanks
so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to
know you and your work.

ALB: Thank you! 

Originally Published on https://vocalexpressions.blogspot.com

Deliah Lawrence Attorney, Author, Blogger, Workshop Facilitator

Deliah Lawrence is a Maryland-based attorney and award-winning author of two romantic suspense novels (Gotta Let It Go and Gotta Get It Back) set in Baltimore. She’s also a blogger and workshop facilitator who writes poetry and short stories.

When Deliah isn’t writing, you can find her reading a book, indulging in her addiction to investigation discovery shows; or painting her yet-to-be exhibited oil artworks of landscapes, portraits or whatever else comes to her creative mind. Constantly on the go, she is also a member of the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland and Sisters in Crime.