Literary Circles: Blogger Interview with Amy Sonnichsen!

Today I’m talking with Amy Sonnichsen of The Green Bathtub. Earlier this summer, Amy hosted “My So-Called Teenage Bloghop,” one of the funnier blog hops I’ve ever come across. Amy clearly has a great sense of humor, but one of my favorite parts of Amy’s blog is her natural integration between writing and life. Amy has a beautiful stand-out voice in her writing and posts. Go ahead – stop by her blog. Pick any post. You’ll want to read more. Amy is represented by Emmanuelle Morgen of Stonesong. She lives with her husband and five children in Washington. 

Thank you so much for being here today Amy! I’m so intrigued by the title of your blog. Can you tell us a bit about your blog’s concept and what inspired you to start blogging?
I started my completely-clueless blogging journey in 2009. I begged my sister to be my first follower because I hated looking at “Members (0).” Blogging was a way for me to come out of the closet about my writing. Before I started, hardly anyone knew I wrote novels. I never talked about it. It was a secret I shared with my husband, but hardly even with him. Now I’m much more open about my writing and I have my blog to thank for that.

A couple years ago I gave my blog a title overhaul, because I got the crazy idea to call it The Green Bathtub. I have this running joke with myself that I write all the time and never do housework (which is *ahem* only partly true), so the idea of a green, algae-filled bathtub tickled me. My amazing sister helped me out with the artwork, and The Green Bathtub was born. (Note: Since I changed my blog’s name, I have realized that bathtub algae is generally a weird shade of reddish-orange, not green, but … oh well. I won’t tell you how I know that.)

Sadly, I know exactly what kind of reddish-orange color you are talking about.

I saw your video featuring your stellar Hacky Sack skills. I feel it’s only fair to link to it here. What is the Hacky Sack Club and how did you come up with it?

Oh boy, that was random. One of the things I LOVE about blogging is making friends with other writers. The Hacky Sack Club grew out of a silly conversation with bloggy friend Janet Johnson. She ended up sending me a hacky sack in the mail as a joke, so I sent one back to her. Then we challenged each other to post videos and the rest is history. The Hacky Sack Club is open to new members and as soon as Janet settles in to her new home (she just moved!) we’re planning another (optional) “activity.” *cue evil laughter* Kimberly, I hope we’ll be able to recruit you!

 

I have absolutely no cool talents to showcase! However, I typically succumb to peer pressure rather easily.

How has blogging affected your writing and/or your path to publication?

I don’t have a gigantic following to boast about, so I’m not sure my blog actually helped me land an agent and I’m not sure it is helping me look good to editors, either. What it has done, however, is introduce me to a bunch of amazing writers from all over the world. Not only that, it keeps me accountable to my dream. Because I’ve gone public about my writing passion, I’m less likely to give up.

I love that blogging helps hold you accountable - very true!

What lessons have you learned from blogging? Good, bad and/or ugly?

I've learned so much from other bloggers. There’s so much fantastic writing advice available on writerly blogs. I feel like I got the equivalent of a college education in publishing from following editor, agent and fellow-writers’ blogs. When people approach me asking, “How do I get started as a writer?” I point them straight to blogs that have been helpful to me.

On a practical note, over the years I’ve learned to make my blog posts shorter. I was pretty long-winded in the beginning. *blush*   

What is one of your favorite blogs? What makes it one of your favorites?

Yikes! Tough question. The answer has changed over the years. I started off devoted to agent blogs because I was looking for an agent. I learned so much about the industry from those! Rachelle Gardner comes to mind.  

Now that I feel like I know my way around the publishing world a little better, I’m more focused on my writerly friends’ blogs. I’ve met a few of my indispensible critique partners through blogging: Krista (Mother. Write. Repeat), Christa (Christa Rambles and Writes), Kristin (Kristin Creative), Myrna (Night Writer), and Melodie (Forever Rewrighting).

Sorry, I know I cheated! That was WAY more than one favorite!

Great picks - I know several of them! In fact, Melodie was my very first blogger interview. 

Can you talk a little bit about a current project you are working on?

Sure! I currently have one novel on submission with editors. Seagull Rising is a contemporary YA about a sixteen-year-old American girl who must find herself all over again when her family makes an abrupt move back to the U.S. after twelve years in China. 

My work-in-progress is tentatively titled The Crazy Part and is another contemporary YA. This one is about a sixteen-year-old girl who goes on a cross-state road trip with two boys—one, a wanna-be skater, the other, an ultra-conservative farm boy whose gigantic family stars on a reality show—to stop her brother from committing suicide, all while being chased by the reality show’s TV crew.

(Wow, that was a mouthful.)

Thanks so much for having me, Kimberly! I so appreciated your thoughtful questions and I’m so honored to be a guest on your wonderful blog!

Thank you so much for stopping by Amy! As I said, I'm a big fan of your blog and your manuscripts sound really intriguing! I look forward to picking them up off the shelf some day.