"Amy Clipston is a first-time author and member of American Christian
Fiction Writers (ACFW). She holds a degree in communications from
Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time as a public information
specialist for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina
with her husband and two sons."
Hello! Welcome to Books
For Christian Girls!
How
are you today Mrs. Clipston?
I’m doing great, and
I’m excited to be here!
Can
you tell the readers a little about yourself? Like your life was the back of a
book?
Amy Clipston is the bestselling and award winning author of
the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series with
Zondervan Publishing (part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing). She
also has written young adult novels, including Roadside Assistance and Reckless
Heart. Her novel A Promise of
Hope was the 2011 Selah Award Winner for Fiction. Amy has been interviewed by numerous radio stations and newspapers, and
she has spoken at churches, schools, writers’ organizations, and libraries.
Her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school
when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She is a graduate
of Virginia Wesleyan College and a member of the Authors Guild, American
Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte. She lives in North
Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats.
Where
do you get your ideas?
I find ideas in
different places. Sometimes I’m inspired by a book, movie, or song. Other
times, my editor and I will toss ideas around and then flesh out a story
together.
What
inspires you to write?
To be completely
honest, I write for deadlines. I recently just finished an edit for Destination Unknown, which is the sequel
to my young adult book Roadside
Assistance that will be out in February 2014. I’m awaiting edits on my
memoir, A Gift of Love, and then I
have two manuscripts due October 1. Aside from those two projects, I am
expecting edits for my next Amish book, A
Mother’s Secret. So, my inspiration is getting my books done on-time for my
editors. J
When
did you know you wanted to write?
As a child and young
adult, I wrote for fun. I remember penning my first story in elementary school.
Writing was something I did as a way to cope with stress and also escape into
my own little world. However, I didn’t consider becoming an author or pursuing
a writing career until I accidentally found Chesapeake Romance Writers, a
Romance Writers of America chapter, in 2001. After going to a meeting, I
realized that writing was a passion I wanted to pursue as a possible
career. Thanks to my friends at CRW, I
learned how to polish my work and find an agent.
What’s
something not most people would know about you?
Aside from writing, I am passionate about organ
transplantation and blood donation. I serve on the blood drive committee at my
work and I run blood drives at church. My husband, Joe, has received two kidney
transplants. Most recently, he received a kidney through a "swap" at
Johns Hopkins Hospital on June 14, 2011. During the swap, I gave a kidney to a
woman, and in exchange, the woman's husband gave a kidney to Joe. Both Joe and
my recipient are doing well; their kidney function is perfect. I have written a
memoir called A Gift of Life, which
outlines my husband's struggle with kidney disease, and the book will be
available in February 2014.
What
do you like to do when you’re not writing? Any hobbies?
I love to read, and
we’re also movie buffs in my house. Every weekend we’re either downloading
movies from iTunes or going to the theater. Right now my boys are anxious to
see Iron Man 3. I’m hoping we can go this weekend. I also want to see Star Trek
since I keep hearing it’s fantastic.
{And
a few fun questions:}
Favorite
Scripture?
Elizabeth Kauffman, the matriarch in my Kauffman Amish Bakery series, often
quotes Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is being
sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." It’s a verse
that rings true in my life, and I would imagine in rings true for others as
well.
Favorite
kind of candy? Or try to stay away?
Oh, I can’t eat candy!
I’m a Weight Watchers follower, so I have to be strict about what I eat.
Favorite
color the good Lord made?
I’ve always loved the
color pink. I wear pink often.
Favorite
food?
Diet Coke and popcorn!
Do
you own any pets?
My family and I have four spoiled-rotten cats who rule our house. My
husband often jokes that the cats own the house and allow us to live there.
The oldest feline is Jet, an 8-year-old, fluffy, tuxedo cat who can be
found upstairs either under or on top of our bed. He’s afraid of everything
from strangers to plastic grocery bags.
Next is Molly, a 6-year-old, short-haired tuxedo who is all attitude and
lives on the kitchen table. She “reads” the paper every morning with my mother
by swatting the pages. Molly likes to sleep with our eight-year-old son.
Rico, a plump, all black short-haired cat, is approximately four years
old. We’ve decided his mother never taught him how to
meow and never weaned him. Therefore, his meow consists of a wimpy squeak, and
every afternoon he likes to get on my mom’s lap and suckle on her hand. He also
loves to eat and greets all of our visitors. I think he’d go home with friends
if we allowed him.
Lastly, there’s Lily. She’s a tiny, mouthy tabby, who is approximately three
years old. She’s in love with Rico, and they often snuggle and clean each
other. She’s small but mighty and harasses Jet mercilessly. (One of these days,
we’re hoping Jet will realize he can knock her over with one swift swat.) If
you’re bored or lonely, you can have a conversation with Lily. Just ask a
question, and she’ll give you a long, loud “meow” in response.
We adore our cats, and I can often be found talking to them and trying to
snuggle with them. I can’t imagine the house without them, but I also can’t
imagine adding any more to the herd. As I like to say, the box is always full
and the bowls are always empty.
That’s
all! Is there anything you would like to say to our readers?
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| 'Roadside Assistance', April 19th 2011 |
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| 'A Gift of Grace', April 21st 2009 |
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| 'A Hopeful Heart', June 11th 2013 | | | | | | |
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Don't forget to visit Mrs. Clipston's
Website, Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
Click
HERE for a review of 'A Gift of Grace' by Amy Clipston.
Thank you Mrs. Clipston for letting BFCG interview you!
