Amy Metz, author
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It's been lovely, but I really have to blog now . . .

Blog, blog, blog

Thank you to the following blogs for helping me get the word out about GPJ:

2018
April 7, 2018: Sly Twin Tiger
February 18, 2018: Books are Love
February 15, 2018: Buried Under Books
February 12, 2018: The Mystery Section
February 11, 2018: Books A Plenty Book Reviews
February 8, 2018: The Attic Ghost
February 4, 2018: Girl With Pen
January 31, 2018: 411 On Books, Authors, and Publishing News
January 29, 2018:
A Writers Life
January 24, 2018: Lisa's Book Blog
January 23, 2018: Quiet Fury Books
January 21, 2018: Readeropolis
January 18-February 18, 2018:
Silver Dagger Book Tours 

2017

August 17, 2017: Jen's Favorite Authors   
January 17, 2017: Paul Anthony 

2016
August 15, 2016:  New York Army Mom
July 19, 2016: Vision and Verse
July 18, 2016: Sleuth Cafe
July 8, 2016: Eden's Exchange
June 22, 2016: Brooke Blogs
June 19, 2016: Lisa Ks Book Thoughts
June 18, 2016: Author Annette Drake
June 17, 2016: Cozy Up With Kathy
June 14, 2016: Island Confidential
June 11, 2016: Lisa Ks Book Reviews
June 10, 2016: Readsalot
June 9, 2016: Girl With Book Lungs
June 8, 2016: Bubble Bath Books
May 23, 2016: Read Your Writes
May 23, 2016: Christoph Fischer
May 21, 2016:  Cassidy Salem
May 16, 2016: HBS Author's Spotlight
May 16, 2016: Jersey Girl Book Reviews
May 15, 2016: New York Army Mom
May 15, 2016: A Blue Million Books
May 14, 2016: Literary Wealth
May 12, 2016: Lisa K's Book Thoughts
May 12, 2016: Booth Talks Books
May 4, 2016: Meg Muldoon
April 4, 2016: A Cup of Tea and a Cozy Mystery
February 17, 2016: The Book's the Thing
February 15, 2016: Nothing Any Good

2015
November 14, 2015: Cafe Art Space
October 29, 2015: Escape with Dollycas Into A Good Book
October 29: 2015: HBS Authors Spotlight
October 27, 2015:  Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers
October 27, 2015: The Self-Taught Cook
October 26, 2015: Chloe Gets A Clue
October 25, 2015: Jane Reads
October 24, 2015: Girl With Book Lungs
October 22, 2015: Deal Sharing Aunt
October 21, 2015: FUONLYKNEW
October 20, 2015: Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book
October 19, 2015: Frankie Bow
October 18, 2015: Authors to Watch
October 18, 2015: Laura's Interests
October 17, 2015: 4cover2overt: A Place In The Spotlight
October 17, 2015: Christa Reads and Writes
October 16, 2015: 4cover2overt: A Place In The Spotlight
October 16, 2015: Babs Book Bistro
October 15, 2015: Lifestyle and Literature
October 8, 2015: Readers Favorite
October 2, 2015: Readers Favorite
September 15, 2015: New York Army Mom
August 28, 2015: Desert Cities Mysteries
August 4, 2015: Diane Harman
June 2, 2015: Reade & Write
April 18, 2015: Fire Your Mentor
April 8, 2015: Writers Who Kill
March 31, 2015: Book Tour.Tips
March 15, 2015: Book Reader Magazine
February 27, 2015: A Little Bit of R&R
February 21, 2015: Up All Night Read All Day
February 18, 2015: Katya Amrock
February 9, 2015: eBook Addicts
February 6, 2015: Author Sandra Love
February 5, 2015: 2 Bibliophiles
February 5, 2015: Traci Hayden
February 4, 2015: Literature Lighthouse
February 3, 2015: Authors To Watch
February 3, 2015: Dowie's Place
February 3, 2015: Books and Bindings
February 2, 2015: Literary Nook
February 2, 2015: ebooks galore
January 16, 2015: The Dan O'Brien Project
January 5, 2015: Chloe Gets A Clue

2014
December 27, 2014: Christoph Fischer Books
December 16, 2014: Examiner.com
December 11, 2014: Writers and Authors
December 6, 2014: cover2overt: A Place in the Spotlight
December 4, 2014: Bedroom Bookworms
November 1, 2014: Melina's Book Blog
October 30, 2014: Queen of All She Reads
October 28, 2014: Chloe Gets a Clue
 October 27, 2014: Rantin', Ravin', and Reading
 October 25, 2014: Readalot
October 24, 2014: Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book
October 23, 2014: Three Partners in Shopping
 October 22, 2014: Deal Sharing Aunt
October 22, 2014: Turning the Pages
October 20, 2014: Girl Lost in a Book
October 19, 2014: A Cup of Tea, a Friend, and a Book
October 18, 2014: Brooke Blogs
October 17, 2014: Olga Nunez Miret
October 17, 2014: Cozy Up with Kathy
October 15, 2014: Shut Up and Read
October 15, 2014: Mysteries Etc.
October 14, 2014: Making Connections
October 13, 2014: Ognian Georgiev's Blog
September 30, 2014: Literary Wealth
September 21, 2014: Writers and Authors
September 10, 2014: Christoph Fischer's Blog
April 30, 2014: Shaun Allan, Making a Metz of Things


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A Moment with Amy Metz by Dan O'Brien

Dan O'Brien, editor of Empirical and author of The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, Cerulean Dreams, and The Journey asked me some really fun questions in this interview for his website, The Dan O'Brien Project. Thank you to the website Before It's News for re-posting it on your site, and thank you to Dan for allowing me to post it here.

Tell us about your most recent release.
Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction was inspired by events in my family’s history. I remember hearing accounts when I was a little girl of the murders and thinking they were heartbreaking and intriguing. One of the murders is unsolved to this day, except for in my novel, where main character Tess Tremaine comes up against the killer’s relative who is intent on keeping the murder a cold case. But Tess is a little too stubborn to let a little mayhem get in the way of her solving the mystery and bringing a murderer to justice. 

What else do you have coming out?
My next book due to be published is a photography coffee table book on Locust Grove, a historical house in Louisville. It’s one of my favorite places to go, and I was able to combine my love for the estate and my love of photography to create this book. The second book in the Goose Pimple Junction mystery series is complete, but I’m not sure when it will be published.

What’s the most blatant lie you’ve ever told?
Two years ago I had to tell my mother that she was going to an assisted living facility for just a few weeks for rehab, when in fact her dementia had earned her a one-way ticket.

What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?
Someone said my book was offensive and sadly idiotic. But I have twenty 5-star reviews and 10 4-star reviews that counteract that comment.

How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?
I try to keep it in perspective, remembering that everyone is entitled to a different opinion. What really bothers me are the people who don’t say anything. When someone tells me they can’t wait to read my book but they never comment on it. Or they say, “I read your book,” followed by silence. I can deal with constructive criticism—I may not agree with it, but at least I know what they didn’t like—it’s silence that I find hard to deal with. It’s difficult, because we’re talking about people I know, and I thought they’d be more supportive, but also their silence doesn’t help me become a better writer or write a better book.

When are you going to write your autobiography?
Actually, I’ve already written it. It’s not an actual autobiography, because I wouldn’t make anyone read that drivel, but it’s a memoir about my mother, her dementia, and our contentious relationship. I’m currently collecting rejection letters from agents and publishers for it. Are you an agent or publisher? Let’s talk—it’s fabulous!

Are the names of the characters in your novels important?
Yes, names are important. My book is set in the south, where oftentimes names are varied, interesting, and weird. I’m particularly fond of nicknames, like Pickle and Butterbean, and double names, like Henry Clay and Martha Maye.

What about the titles of your novels?
What about them? Oh, are they important? Well, yes. Many times a title can make or break a reader’s decision to buy the book. I named my town Goose Pimple Junction and put it in the title because, to me, the name reflects the quirkiness of the town and the book. It’s a fun town, and I hope the title reflects that. But I think people either love the title or hate it. 

Are there any occupational hazards to being a novelist?
Besides being a little mentally unbalanced? Yes, I’ve found extra poundage to be an occupational hazard. Sitting all day at a computer doesn’t burn many calories, and weight gain is inevitable. I’m trying to be more disciplined and get my big behind up for exercise periodically each day, but sometimes it’s hard to stop when I’m on a writing roll. 

What’s your favorite fruit?
Lemons. Does that count? A runner up would be peaches. Although it really depends on the season. In the summertime I love strawberries, honeydew, and peaches, in the fall I love crisp apples, early winter is those little Clementine oranges. And then there are pineapple and bananas, which are both good pretty much year-round. And lemons. I love lemon anything. Is that TMI?

How many people have you done away with over the course of your career?
Well let’s see . . . I think the total is only five. Maybe I should bump that up a bit for GPJ3.

Ever dispatched someone and then regretted it?
Yes. I can’t say whom, because I don’t want to ruin it for someone who may not have read the book yet, but there’s one character in Murder & Mayhem who is maybe my all time favorite. It killed me to kill him off (sorry, that was lame—but true). I’m still in mourning. Maybe I can make him have an evil twin. Double trouble!

Have you ever been in trouble with the police?
Hahahahahahahaha. That’s funny. At least, people who know me will get a kick out of it. I did have to go to the county jail two years ago, but that was to deliver some evidence. That’s a whole nother story. The answer to your question is a big no.

So when were you last involved in a real-life punch-up?
Way back when I was a little girl, fighting with my sister. That’s as bad ass as I get.

If you were going to commit the perfect murder, how would you go about it?
I think it would involve poison. And that’s all I’m saying on that one.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Betty White.

What is your favorite bedtime drink?
Sweet tea or juice.

Do you ever wish that you had an entirely uncreative job, like data entry or working in a factory?
Absolutely not. Are you nuts?

Do you believe in a deity?
Yes. I am a Christian, and I believe in God.

Who would play you in a film of your life?
Maybe Oprah. Yes, I know I’m Caucasian, but who wouldn’t want Oprah to play them? 

What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?
I think a sane writer is an oxymoron.

Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?
Maybe Eeyore. Or the Catwoman, played by Halle Berry. Oh wait, that was in my dreams. 

What is the single most powerful challenge when it comes to writing a novel?
For me, it’s coming up with a good plot. It seems like all the good ones have already been taken. I had a plot all planned out for GPJ3, and I hadn’t told a soul about it. One day, my son started telling me about a book he read—and it was my plot! Or mine was theirs. I swear I’d never heard of it. I changed my plot line pdq.

What do you consider your biggest failure?
Dropping out of college my sophomore year. I transferred to another college the following fall, but leaving school remains a big part of my checkered past.

Do you research your novels?
In Murder & Mayhem I researched the real murders that were the impetus for the plot. I read everything I could find so that I could get the facts right for that portion of the book. 

How much impact does your childhood have on your writing?
Well, considering I wouldn’t be who I am if I hadn’t had a childhood, I’d say a lot. Is that too cheeky?

What was the greatest thing you learned at school?
When God sends us on hard paths, He provides strong shoes. That, and you should dress for every occasion. There’s no sense in looking like a wash-woman.

Do you laugh at your own jokes?
Sure, somebody has to. (LOL.)

Do you admire your own work?
Yes and no. I love the characters and the town I created, but I have a hard time reading the book. It’s kind of like actors who say they can’t watch themselves on screen. I find myself wanting to rewrite or edit it every time I pick the book up.

What are books for?
Different things for different people. For me, they’re for escape. Pure pleasure.

Are you fun to go on vacation with?
That would be a better question for my family. I think that my son would say I spend too much time behind my camera. 

How do you feel about being interviewed?
It’s somewhere in between getting a root canal and a day at the beach.

What’s the loveliest thing you have ever seen? 
A full moon reflecting on the ocean.
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