Hard Things and the Hope of Recovery

Award-winning writer and storyteller

Mimi Snow Photography

What I do

I write about things that are hard: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, and how I use my experience to show up with grace and find hope.

My experience includes: multiple 12-step recovery programs (18 years), traumatic brain injury survivor (8 years), the LGBTQ community (let’s just say a lot of years!).

Everyone in and out of recovery, from tie-dye to black tie, can understand and relate.

TL;DR: inspirational memoir shorts sprinkled with spirituality and a bit of humor.

Memoir Stories: Amy’s Adventures of Being

  • Long stretch of a leaf-scattered road lined by trees on either side.

The Way to a Will

August 27th, 2023 6:05pm|

For years I went to bed crying because I couldn’t write my book. Not couldn’t, per se, more like wouldn’t. Or is it fair to s [...]

  • Black microphone on a stand with the focus on its grille.

The Continuance of Courage

July 30th, 2023 12:42pm|

I’m supposed to speak at a 12-step meeting tomorrow, and I don’t know what to say. "Speaking” at a meeting means that you sha [...]

  • Closeup of a tiny lizard figurine placed in the sand.

Grace from a Gecko

July 16th, 2023 8:00pm|

Of all the things, I never expected a tiny gecko to appear in my kitchen sink. It’s HOT here in the desert, extraordinarily s [...]

  • Peach-faced lovebird sitting on a stone table looking sideways at the camera.

The Presence of a Small Parrot

July 5th, 2023 8:31pm|

“I miss her, God,” I said aloud, my heart filling up with a familiar aching. I had just arrived home from work and my thought [...]

  • Baby black and white chick standing on a small rock overlooking a group of other baby chicks.

Ascertaining Autonomy

March 14th, 2023 9:43pm|

Breakups don’t get easier with sobriety, they get different. Last week I wrote about the decision I needed to make (see previ [...]

  • Antique glass pendulum hanging above the center of an eight-pointed star.

The Conundrum of No Contact

March 8th, 2023 11:51am|

“Do I have to go no contact?” I asked my sponsor 10 days ago. I was reviewing what needed to be discussed with my girlfriend [...]

Published Elsewhere Online and In-Print

Surviving Brain Injury: Stories of Strength and Inspiration

Top 6 Finalist: The Nasiona Writing Prompts Tournament #6

Micro-Nonfiction / Poetry writing prompts series #6: “When I Learned I Was Different Is. . .”

Storied around the experience of identifying with the LGBTQ community.

Surviving Brain Injury: Stories of Strength and Inspiration

Featured in the book Surviving Brain Injury: Stories of Strength and Inspiration

A collection of stories by almost 90 brain injury survivors from across the world.

These stories offer strength and inspiration to fellow survivors and help others understand the journey they go through.

Midwest Book Award finalist.

“Smart, Fresh, Inspired and Thought Provoking.”

“Her raw honesty speaks to all humans, experiencing all of life’s challenges and joys and leaves one feeling connected. She has a talent for pulling the covers off the struggles we all face and taking away their illusive power by sprinkling them with a bit of levity and humor. Simply refreshing!”
Noelle G., Operations Manager

“The strongest themes deal with humility and recovery. The silly notes are much more subtle. She plumbs the depths of darkness with a ladylike sweetness.”

Lucinda B., Website Designer

“Amy’s writings have become welcome guests in my life. Her stories have all of the comfort of coffee with an old friend, one that knows me and my struggles.”

Mitchell L., Musician

“Amy writes highly sensorial, descriptive, and even poetic slice-of-life scenes, often with an underlying inspirational message.”

Rebecca G., Grant Administrator