Amy Turner

Amy Turner was born in Bronxville, New York, and holds a degree in political science from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from New York Law School. After practicing law (rather unhappily) for twenty-two years, she finally found the courage to change careers at forty-eight and become a (very happy) seventh grade social studies teacher. A long-time meditator and avid reader who loves to swim and bike, Amy lives in East Hampton, New York, with her husband, Ed. They have two sons and a rescue dog, Fred. On the Ledge, A Memoir, (She Writes Press) is Amy's first book.

Twitter: @amyturnerwriter

Instagram: @amyturner2000

Favorite non-reading activity?

My favorite non-reading activity is my daily dog park visit with my rescue coonhound mix, Fred. Like reading, each visit provides a lovely escape! First, it gets me up early before the morning air is laden with humidity and the roads are clogged with traffic. The park is gorgeous and offers a welcome contrast to my home's wooded setting. On one side of the narrow parking area is a long strip of beach bordering an idyllic harbor, on which sailboats bob during the summer months. The terriers run on the beach while the labs and poodles swim. Fred, however, prefers the other side of the parking area, where a football field-sized grassy area provides plenty of room for wrestling. Aside from an occasional scuffle, usually settled among themselves, the dogs model pure joy. None dreads their to-do list, stresses over a less-than-flattering review, or regrets past mistakes. Fred, one of the happiest among them, is never fazed by a setback or rejection. He just trots over to the next playgroup. Watching the dogs jostle and romp—totally oblivious to anything else—reminds me, daily, to stay grounded in the present. Often I catch myself mimicking them, my mouth hanging open in a smile—which is how I'd like to spend the rest of the day!

Is your go to comfort food, sweet or savory? Is it something you make yourself? Does food inspire your writing?

Fed up with my dithering over the choice posed by this question, I reached for a bag of chips. So there it is. Preferably tortilla chips. Although sweets are always tempting, I'm prone to sugar headaches. And the only cure for those is to eat more sugar. And then. And then.

Although I thoroughly enjoy eating, I don't like to cook and food doesn't inspire my writing. That said, I could not write without a mug of coffee close at hand!

Have you ever experienced Imposter Syndrome?
Yes, many times! As an attorney, I knew objectively that I'd been well trained, but I couldn't escape the feeling that I would eventually be exposed as an imposter. It reflected my extreme lack of confidence. But, as a writer, I experience imposter syndrome differently. I know I've written the book—any doubt, and I can look at its cover—but when I read heartfelt responses from readers, I feel a strange distance. I'm reflexively happy for the "author," but I must remind myself the author is me!

Not all books are for all readers...when you start a book and just don't like, how long do you read before you bail?

Unlike my husband, who feels compelled to finish any book he starts
(somehow, he treats it like homework but forgets that as he assigned it, he can also change his mind), I will read 50 pages before abandoning a book. Maybe 75–100 pages if it is highly recommended by a friend who knows my reading tastes. But I have a habit that some find odd or shocking. Once emotionally invested in the characters, I fear losing them so much that I must glance at the end to see if they survive. Otherwise, I'm too anxious to focus on the story. If they survive, I can relax. If they don't, at least I can emotionally prepare myself. So, somewhat counterintuitively, the more I enjoy the book, the likelier I will read it nonsequentially.

Is there another career you'd like to try?

So far, I've had three careers—lawyer, teacher, and writer. I'd love to become a psychotherapist, as people's motivations, inner lives, and family influences fascinate me. A friend joked that I was a warm-up act for her therapist because our conversations invariably led to psychological topics. But alas, I don't have the time to train, and I have a sneaky suspicion I'm not ideally suited to the profession. You must be a good listener, and I'm afraid I might talk too much!