Volunteer Spotlight: Amy Ripley
Welcome to the Mighty Pens 2021! This year we have so many wonderful volunteers standing behind us and we want to make sure everyone gets the recognition they deserve. Each week, we’ll be spotlighting one or more of our volunteers, and they can tell you in their own words a little bit about them and why they are a part of the Mighty Pens team.
Today we’re celebrating Amy Ripley (she/her) for being a behind-the-scenes champion! You can follow along with her journey @amyripley on Twitter and Instagram.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: Fun fact: my tweet once ended up on a Taco Bell billboard and it was the greatest day of my life
Q: Tell us about your pets!
A: I am a proud stepmother to my fiance’s cat Monster, a giant orange sweet tabby boy. Every day I dream of moving out of this tiny apartment so we can get a dog!
Q: What are you currently reading/watching? What was your last 5 star read?
A: Currently watching Maid and Midnight Mass. Last 5 star read was Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
Q: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
A: Plotter
Q: What’s your favorite writing snack or beverage?
A: coffee/wine (depending on time of day) and chocolate!
Q: What’s in your ears while you write?
A: Lately, it’s been a lot of “ambience” videos on youtube (mainly rain and fireplace sounds) paired with classical piano. This is not my usual, but what this book seems to need!
Q: Have you participated in NaNoWriMo before? Have you won? Are you participating this year?
A: Yes! I’ve participated several times. I never win, but I always get a lot more written than I would have otherwise, and that’s what’s important to me.
Q: What do you write? And if you can, tell us what you are working on now or will be working on for NaNo.
A: I write YA. Sometimes SFF, sometimes contemporary. Currently working on a YA contemporary romance that takes place over 24 hours.
Q: Any advice for someone who is joining the Mighty Pens or NaNoWriMo for the first time this year?
A: Relax and have fun! You really don’t need to hit 50k to be successful. You define your own goals and your own success. Be kind to yourself!
Q: Are you a Mighty Pens vet or a newcomer? Why did you decide to become a volunteer?
A: I am a vet from the first year of MP, and I can’t help but keep coming back! I remember seeing the announcement and call for volunteers and I didn’t even think before I put my name in. Such an amazing idea, and I thought my organizational admin skills could be of use, especially in those early days.
Q: What’s your favorite part about the Mighty Pens?
A: It’s such an amazing community. I love hanging out on discord and cheering each other on. Combining NaNo with philanthropic endeavors was a brilliant idea by Kat and Sooz. It’s great seeing how much we raise every year. So proud of everyone!
Q: Do you have a special connection to WeForest? Or just like raising money for a good cause?
A: No special connection, but love that we chose climate activism this year!
A huge thank you for everything you do, Amy! And we love your outlook on NaNo. Writing 50k isn’t for everyone and it shouldn’t have to be! Every single word is success in our book 😉
