MMWG-Amy McKay

Amy Mckay is the resident super-woman of the Maple Mountain Writers Guild (MMWG). She is the mother of seven children. You read that right, SEVEN! But what she might not realize is her maternal instincts extend well beyond her home. She is our "Kanga." It is perhaps her ability to care for others that makes her such an intuitive writer.

There is so much to love in our Amy. I love that she pretends to be shocked when something less than respectable escapes my lips. I love the positive words of encouragement that always seem to come right when I need them most. I love her laugh-- it's that hearty, head-back laugh that compels everyone around her to join in.

Amy, maybe more than anyone else in our close-knit group, helps me stay grounded. Though she appreciates the talents God has given her, she would never place her love for writing before family--especially her kids. We're so lucky to have her humble and informed contribution in MMWG.

Amy's writes emotionally charged fiction. I call it heavy fiction because it shines light on heavy social issues. She's an expert at connecting readers emotionally with characters. Her novel-length manuscript, "Crystal," brought me to tears in only the first chapter.

Here's a brief blurb I wrote for "Crystal" followed by an excerpt found in Chapter 5 of the story.

When an abusive "sort-of-step-father" abandons them without food or money, twelve year old Crystal is determined to keep secret the fact that she and her little sister, Megan, are living alone. If Crystal can't find food and money to pay the rent, she and Megan will be split up and placed in separate homes. This inspiring story of positive thinking and love will make you believe that you, like Crystal, can achieve great things through positive thinking and hard work.

"Crystal ripped a sheet of paper out of her notebook and tore it into several smaller sheets. On each one she wrote one of three items: "Rent paid," "lots of food," and “safety.” Then she taped them all over the house in areas that she would see. But, she was careful to put them in places where she hoped Greg wouldn’t notice. She put them in several places in her room, on the side of the refrigerator, next to a chair in the family room, next to a chair that Greg never sat in, and several other places.

“Now, Megan, every time you see one of these notes I want you to say the words twenty-five times. Got it?”

“Got it.” Megan said with a thumbs up. Crystal smiled inwardly at that action. She was glad her little sister didn’t seem worried. She wished she could say as much. But, she was worn out. She was going through the motions of hope but she had to admit that she struggled.

Crystal explained the importance of their thoughts to Megan in helping them get what they want. She instructed her on what to think and how to “see” it in her minds eye.

“We need food and we need the rent to get paid.” She explained. “So focus on that.”

She began their dreaming session that night with a heavy heart focused on those things. Then Megan wanted her turn. She dreamed of real beds and bikes to ride. But Crystal wasn’t listening. She silently wiped away the tears that spilled over her hot cheeks. What was wrong with her? What about the Magic of Believing? She should be happy and excited with her new found knowledge and she was. But, she was tired of being afraid at night. She was tired of being hungry. Tired of worrying about the things that adults were suppose to worry about. She wanted to be able to do the things that twelve year old girls do. She wanted the stress and fear to be lifted off her shoulders. She wanted to be rescued."

Thanks to Amy, for letting me recognize her. Visit Amy on her blog! Stay tuned for another MMWG author spotlight!