Amelia Zachry

Amelia Zachry was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After graduating from Curtin University in Kuala Lumpur with a degree in marketing, she worked in public relations and marketing until she met her American husband, Daniel, when he was traveling through Malaysia with friends on a short vacation from their job in Japan. Since then, they have lived together in Japan, Canada (where Amelia obtained a second degree in human ecology from the University of Western Ontario), and Kentucky, and had two daughters together. Now a full-time writer, Amelia is also an advocate for sexual assault survivors and those who suffer from mental illness. She was recently published on HuffPost and Moms Don’t Have Time to Write, and weekly blogs, where you can find a list of her recent appearances and more information about her and her work. Amelia lives in Lexington, Kentucky.

Instagram: @BrownGirlCrazyWorld

Is there a genre of music that influences your writing/thinking? Do you listen to music while you write?

I listen to Celtic music before and during writing. The notes and voices and instruments are inspiring as they bring about a tingle in the bones that arouses emotions and creativity. Celtic music was something my father and I used to listen to together when I was a child, the images of him on the couch, me on his chest brings me to a time of comfort and peace. I suppose this is why when I get into a meditative state pre-writing, Celtic music brings me to the right state. The stirring of emotions are key to my creative process.

Favorite non-reading activity?

I love the outdoors and hiking. There is an awakening that happens in the outdoors. America delivers on innumerable hiking sites. My favorite outdoorsy destination I have been to, to date is Sedona, Arizona. The red rocks and sandstone buttes are of my heart. Touching the red dirt and bearing witness to the regal formations all around brings a connection from nature right to the heart. In nature I feel a connection as a speck of a being in this vast universe. I feel small, and it’s a feeling I quite like, to know that I am a piece of a puzzle so enormous and all encompassing. It is both humbling and inspiring to have a chance to color this immeasurable mosaic that is our world.

Have you ever experienced Imposter Syndrome?

Yes and it is ever inflicting. As a debut author I’m still finding my feet to stand on. The writing can be written and edited and edited and edited yet I will find ways to think it is subpar. I have people review my work and no matter how many times they tell me the work is great, I find a way to minimize their comments feeling I could not be good as I am not actually a writer. Before I wrote my manuscript I thought I would call myself a writer once I completed the manuscript, now that has moved to if my book sells, I could be considered a writer. Then I thought I would be a writer when I was seriously writing outside my book, which I did but the count was always too little to be considered a serious writer. I always feel like one day my cover is going to be blown and people are going to find out I’m not a real writer.

Is there a work of art that you love. Why? Have you ever visited it in person?

Summertime: Number 9A by Jackson Pollock

Several years ago, I visited the Tate Modern Museum in London and this painting caught my eye. The colors of blue, yellow, red and black splashed across the canvas in musical swirls and strokes spoke to my heart. It seemed like there were people dancing and there was joy, I could almost hear the drums and strings. I was in a deep state of depression and confusion in my life at the time. This painting gave me deep joy, a tranquility that quieted my mind. I stared at that painting for hours that day and still see it in the eye of my mind.

Vacation druthers… City or Rural destination? Why?

Rural destinations are always more alluring to me. I am attracted to a sense of the people. I find it more approachable and accessible in rural areas. There is something in the warmth of the locals you have more access to than in cities. I love being able to learn about foods and culture and social norms of rural folk. My favorite rural experience has been to a fishing village in the island of Palawan, Philippines. We dined and ushered in the new year together. We were welcomed by the locals and their children alike and even though we didn’t speak the same language, there was an understanding of humanity and brotherhood. We ate woodworms while we were on the island with the locals and that will long be one of my favorite memories. Rural destinations are always more appealing to me.

[And since Amelia loved the questions so much….two bonus answers!]

Do you have another artistic outlet in addition to your writing? Do you sew? Paint? Draw? Knit? Dance?

When I’m not writing or feeling uninspired, I build furniture. So far I’v built coffee tables, a writing desk, book case and a bar cart. I’ll eventually run out of space in my house but for the time being, the therapeutic benefits outweigh cluttering my house! All the measuring and cutting and sanding and finishing are all therapeutical. I feel calm and at ease while building. I enjoy the finishing the most, sanding calms my mind and helps me find focus.

Do you speak a second language? Do you think differently in that language? Does it influence your writing?

English is my second language. My mother tongue is Bahasa Malaysia or Malay. In Malaysia, where I’m from, English or Malay are both spoken with a sprinkling of words from the other. It has very much been merged into what we call Manglish. I don’t think in Malay anymore as I’ve been in the States for quite some time, but I do feel it in my writing. The English I grew up with was British English and has nuances that don’t place very well when writing to an American audience. Thankfully, I have incredibly apt editors to help me with that. English not being my first language particularly is challenging as I wish I could be more bombastic with my prose when I want to.