Amanda Staples

Amanda Staples

Amanda has the usual pile of stuff she can’t look at without a pot of tea and a whisky chaser, but keeps it to remind her that writing is a process; there is always much to learn and improve upon. Amanda hones her craft by dabbling in poetry, limericks and flash fiction, and more seriously writing short stories. She has had numerous short stories longlisted and shortlisted in competitions and published in print and online magazines and anthologies. She has written two plays, one of which has been staged twice, and is titivating a YA novel. She has also self-published a specialist cookbook. She runs writing retreats to ensure that neither she nor anyone else has to suffer alone with self-doubt, and to compare the joys of writing.

 

Q: Do you have a favourite quote? (From a book, film, song, speech…)

A: ‘I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.’ – Oscar Wilde

 

Q: Is there a book that you keep going back to, and if so, how many times have you read it?

A: I love P.G. Wodehouse – preferably Jeeves and Wooster books; Aunts Aren’t Gentlemen is my favourite, that’s my comfort reading. I also reread The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran a lot.

 

Q: What is the least interesting part of writing for you?

A: Getting started! I either have no ideas or too many and I don’t know how or where to start. I’m fine once I get going.

 

Q: What superpower would you like to have and why?

A: The ability to abolish the need for sleep so every minute of life can be enjoyed.