I didn’t want the reasoning for their actions to be because they were just evil. I had to give them justification for their actions which was probably the most challenging.
Amy Watkins – 5 July 2020
The Back Flap
200 Letters by Amy Watkins is a spirited novel about two people trying to escape abusive relationships and finding love, strength, and endurance through their struggle. They are faced with challenging obstacles on their journey. This page turner is filled with passion, drama, suspense and spiritual enlightenment. It addresses social injustice, the ills of prejudice and mass incarceration. 200 Letters is available on Amazon and is free with Kindle Unlimited. Note, this book is for mature audiences only as it has some graphic details.
About the book
What is the book about?
This novel is a romance suspense fiction that follows two people as they try to escape abusive relationships. They meet and fall in love but their abusers from the scheme to ruin their relationship. That scheming leads to imprisonment in which the couple writes letters back and forth to each other. Those letters reveal who is really behind the schemes.
When did you start writing the book?
October 2018
How long did it take you to write it?
1.5 years
Where did you get the idea from?
The story is based on my own life and the lives of some of my closest friends. I combined the stories, mixed it with my own imagination, and came up with this beautiful masterpiece.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The hardest part was probably to write the antagonist. I wanted to give them a voice. I didn’t want the reasoning for their actions to be because they were just evil. I had to give them justification for their actions which was probably the most challenging.
What came easily?
The book really flowed out nicely. I didn’t get writers block through the whole journey. It was therapeutic for me to write. I often got inspiration while I was at work, in bed, driving, or in the shower.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Most of the characters are based on real life people. Some of the characters are a mixture of several different people.
Do you have a target reader?
The book is religious but is also very graphic. It takes scripture and relates it to real challenges in life. Because I did not sugar coat those challenges, this book is recommended for mature audiences only. This book is good for both genders and is really targeted to anyone who likes to read about drama and romance. It also is helpful to those who have also suffered abusive relationships or who are interested in spiritual growth.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I pray and when I get the words I write.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I outlined a little. I mainly wrote chapters and what happened in the chapter. I mainly did it to keep mind of what I put where.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edited as I went and after.
Did you hire a professional editor?
No, I wanted it to be well written but also very raw.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
No, I have three kids. They provide enough background noise to keep me up and motivated while I work.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
This was my first novel. I looked up information online and decided to go with Amazon to self-publish. The process was easy.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Professionally completed. I hired Crisshasart and she did an amazing job with a short turn around.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I am totally winging it! I’ve done a lot of social media posts and have been reaching out to reading blogs, newspapers, and magazines.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
I am a newbie so I don’t have a lot of advice. My biggest one would be to never quit. Just write and put your heart into it. Don’t let naysayers prevent you from completing your work. You never know how much of a blessing your book may be to someone else.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I am a native of Washington, DC.
Where do you live now?
Virginia
What would you like readers to know about you?
I was born and raised in Washington, DC. I received an undergraduate degree from Frostburg State University and a Medical Degree from University of Maryland, Baltimore. I served in the US Navy for 8 years and currently work as a family medicine physician for the Navy. I am a single mother of three and I adopted a dog from a shelter recently. I am a non-denominational Christian and I am involved in my church. I love reading drama, romance, suspense, Christina works. I love reading the Bible and have learned a lot during my spiritual journey. I also believe in the equality and justice for all people no matter what religion, race, gender or sexual orientation. I am big on tolerance and love. Writing has always been a hobby for me and now I am making it into a career. 200 Letters is my first novel.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on a spin off from 200 Letters. I am taking Judge Wilcox, one of the characters in 200 Letters, and doing a story based on his history. It is in the very beginning stages but I hope it flows just as nicely as 200 Letters did.
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