Bookpleasures.com welcomes as our guest Amy S. Peele author of Match,  Cut and her most recent novel, Hold.

Cut, received many awards, including the 2017 Independent Press Award, The Chanticleer International Book Award, a Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, and a Finalist designation from the 2017 International Book Awards. 

For thirty-five- years  Amy enjoyed a fascinating career in the organ transplant field which provides an authentic backdrop to her books. 

Norm: Good day Amy and thanks for taking part in our interview.

How did you get started in writing? What keeps you going? 

Amy: I started writing in a community college creative writing class when I was working. I immediately feel in love with everyone’s stories and was encouraged by a very generous teacher to write some of my own.

I have an active imagination – and have realized I am a story teller and folks seem to like my stories which is what keeps me going.

 It’s also very hard to write as I am a nurse so didn’t take any kind of writing classes prior to the one at the community college.

Norm: What has been the best part about being published? 

Amy: The best part is holding a book in my hand that I wrote – it really is surreal to have created a story and characters that take the reader on a fun and suspenseful ride while teaching them something as well.

Norm: What do you think most characterizes your writing?  

Amy: My books have been referred to as mysteries with a mission and a side of humor.

My thirty-five-year career in organ transplantation coupled with my training in Improv at Second City seems to entertain my readers. 

Norm: Do you write more by logic or intuition, or some combination of the two? Please summarize your writing process.  

Amy: My writing process is a bit of logic – understanding the structure of a story – when there needs to be tension and action. I make a story board with pictures of my characters on it as if I were casting them in a movie.

Once I sit down to write the magic starts to happen and some characters take over and do things I wouldn’t’ do but at that point in the writing process I’m more of a scribe – it’s a very cool thing.

I also work with a developmental editor which really helps me stay the course with my storyline.

Norm: What helps you focus when you write?

Amy: I play some wonderful music – sometimes classical or sound tracts from movies with no words and show up to the keyboard – showing up to the seat can sometimes be a challenge as I am a really good procrastinator.

I also join a few other writing colleagues online where we declare what we’re going to write and then turn the camera and sound off and write for a prescribe period. 

Norm:  Do you find it easy reading back your own work? 

Amy: I do find it easy reading back my work and I usually find things I want to change or delete – after my book is off to the editor and returned I have to read it several times before it goes off for a final print – that phase can be tedious.

Norm; Did you write Hold to express something you believe or was it just for entertainment?  

Amy: I wrote HOLD starting with a dream for most of my transplant colleagues and started with a WHAT IF – there was one pill that patients could take so they could keep their transplanted organ and never have to take all the anti-rejection drugs with their awful side effects.

Who wouldn’t want that to happen??? Big Pharma and Venture Capitalists. Of course my two main protagonists do entertain while they try to solve the murders.

Norm: What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? 

Amy: They will have an appreciation for patients who await a transplant – will see the close connection between two best friends and reflect on some of their close friendships.

The reader will also learn a little bit about the science behind transplant.

Norm: How did you create the characters of Sarah and Jackie? Is there much of you in Sarah? 

Amy: There is a little of me in both Sarah and Jackie. They are also a composite of many of my nursing friends and best friends. It’s fun creating characters that my readers enjoy hanging out with and I do too.

Norm: Where did the title Hold come from?

Amy: It wasn’t supposed to be HOLD – it was supposed to be Tolerance which is the medical term for when a patient tolerates an organ and may not have to take the drugs to keep it so their body actually tolerates it.

However my publisher wanted a one syllable word so HOLD was the closest thing. 

Norm: How much research did you do before writing Hold?

Amy: I did consult with a venture capitalists as well as a friend who is in the medical research field. I didn’t use their names as they could have gotten in trouble. I also researched many of the places I took my characters to which was fun. 

Norm: Did you know the end of your book at the beginning? 

Amy: I thought I did until I was getting close then a new ending came to me, and I went with that – it was another magical moment in my writing.

Norm: How much of the book is realistic?  

Amy: All the clinical stuff is realistic, and the cigar factory is too. I went to Cuba with some friends, so those scenes were realistic. Several of my colleagues who read it said I really captured the research world accurately. 

Norm: What was the most difficult part of writing your book and did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?  

Amy: The hardest part for me is that I am not a grammarian – I am a storyteller so when I worked an editor it was a heavy lift. Also, when I was writing this book I lost two friends to cancer.

I had a deadline so I had to write but there were some days I would write and cry at the same time. I dedicated this book to them. 

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and Hold?

Amy: They can go to my WEBSITE

Norm: What is next for Amy S. Peele?

Amy: I’ve done several book launch events which are fun and my books are now available on audio. I’m working on a spicy romantic mystery set in Chicago, which is where I’m from. No medical – no transplant – just some good fun.

Norm: As this interview comes to an end, what would you like to say to writers who are reading this interview and wondering if they can keep creating, if they are good enough, if their voices and visions matter enough to share? 

Amy: I would tell them that no one can tell their story but them. To show up and write – don’t be hard on yourself and surround yourself with people who support your dreams and no negative friends or family.

 Go for it – if you’re being called to write then embrace that calling. We need more stories.

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with all of your endeavors.

Follow Here To Read Norm's Review of Hold