Author: Amanda Surowitz

Thoughts from Kathryn Stockett: From Book to Movie

3–5 minutes

While tearing through my closet on a great spring cleaning purge, I came across a legal pad. Unsurprisingly, it was from the college days. I flipped through just in case there was anything I might want to type into a more legible format and save. Between class notes with no headings or dates to clarify
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Bill Blume at AWCon 18: Characters Who Come Alive

5–7 minutes

Agile Writers Conference, author events, books & media, character development, creative networking

Of the many reasons that contributed to the last-minute decision to attend the 2018 Agile Writers Conference in Richmond, VA, getting the chance to meet Bill Blume was the most exciting. For the longest time, I didn’t realize there was any kind of writing community in Virginia. It wasn’t until I graduated college and moved
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AWCon 18: Scott T. Allison on the Villain’s Journey

3–4 minutes

Agile Writers Conference, author events, character development, fiction

One of my favorite seminars at the 2018 Agile Writers Conference given by Dr. Scott T. Allison, a professor of psychology at the University of Richmond who has published extensively on heroism and leadership. I wondered if his talk, “The Villain’s Journey: How to Craft a Worthy Adversary to Your Hero,” would confirm some of
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Lani Sarem at AWCon 18: I Remain Unconvinced

7–11 minutes

Agile Writers Conference, author events, books & media, creative entrepreneurship

Editor’s Note: Lani Sarem’s story remains an immortal controversy within the publishing world. This post will be periodically maintained as part of the public record.November 2025: Updated formatting.April 2025: Updated formatting, including some quotes via Twitter (X) from users who no longer have an account on the platform.February 5, 2018: Updated with a more accurate
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Saying Goodbye: Words of Wisdom from Sarah Domet

3–4 minutes

Last night, I went to a conversation with authors Sarah Domet and Jonathan Rabb at The Book Lady Bookstore. The event promoted the paperback release of The Guineveres, Domet’s debut novel. For the umpteenth time, I crowded in with the rest of a gaggle of Savannah’s writing and reading community. Toward the end of the
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Best and Worst of Critique Comments (bonus)

5–8 minutes

Artistic process, behind the scenes, character development, legacy collection, writing journey

Reflections on the less-than-helpful comments I received on my short stories in college from my professor. It’s tough to balance the hurt from harsh comments with the understanding that not everyone’s opinion on your creative work matters.
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Author: Amanda Surowitz

Thoughts from Kathryn Stockett: From Book to Movie

Bill Blume at AWCon 18: Characters Who Come Alive

AWCon 18: Scott T. Allison on the Villain’s Journey

Lani Sarem at AWCon 18: I Remain Unconvinced

Saying Goodbye: Words of Wisdom from Sarah Domet

Best and Worst of Critique Comments (bonus)