Speaker Info
Education & Background
What makes her qualified to speak to your students?
For starters, she’s been blessed to receive a pretty fantastic education.
In addition to her bachelor and graduate degrees, she has over five years of intensive, organized, industry-designed education through Jerry B. Jenkins’ Christian Writers Guild. She’s also graduated from a number of Author Media’s excellent publishing courses. She has over twenty years of experience and self-study.
Second, she loves working with kids! From student volunteer activity leader in her homeschool group, to face-paint wearing camp counselor, to teen librarian, Amanda’s whole life has revolved around building relationships with kids and helping prepare them for their future.
Lastly?
She’s just kind of obsessed.
If your student or child is crazy about plot structure in movies, loves designing new world maps, spends more time thinking about fictional characters than real life chores, and deeply considers the best placement for an adjective…well, they might be obsessed too.
Amanda would be honored to shine a little guiding light as they take next steps on their writer journey.
Let's Chat!
Want to discuss an workshop or talk for your students? Email me at amanda@jtrumpower.com or leave a message on my cell (330-354-5855). I’d be delighted to talk with you!
The Trumpowers, circa 2022: Jayce, Amanda, Josiah, and Justine
Writing & Books
Educational Topics
Called to Write: Thoughts for the Young Christian Writer
If so, they might be called to write.
This talk speaks encouragement, advice, and inspiration into the hearts of Christian kids who know, deep in their bones, that writing is their future. Drawing on over twenty years of …
- specialized education
- professional mentorship
- personal experience
- plus hundreds of thousands of hours of practice …
I distill everything I know about what it takes to be a writer, who should pursue it, and how to use it as an opportunity to share the gospel with others.
$1K in 6 Weeks: How to Make Money as a Writer
This talk includes an overview of income-generating options for writers outside of book sales alone, including:
- speaking
- freelance editing
- graphic design
- book cover design
- audiobook narration
- working as a virtual assistant
Learn how to ease the financial burden of getting a book off the ground by developing skills that can add to your income stream without relying on book sales.
Solo Warrior vs. the Wheel of Chance: Indie and Traditional Publishing Differences (and How to Pick Your Path)
An overview of the two major paths in publishing. We’ll discuss:
- requirements for success
- what to expect
- pros and cons
- how to choose which path is best for you
(Traditional) Book Selling 101: From Author Head to Reader Hands
In this overview of the traditional publishing workflow, you’ll learn:
- how a book gets made
- who is involved
- what the steps are
- how long it takes
- how (and when) authors make money from a book sale
Recommended Resources
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne & Dave King
- Get a Literary Agent: The Complete Guide to Securing Representation for Your Work by Chuck Sambuchino
Fantasy Worldbuilding 101: How to Design a Map and Plan Your World
This hands-on workshop takes you through the motions of designing the geography, weather, politics, and cultures of your fantasy world.
Recommended Resources
- How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
Fantasy Worldbuilding 101: The Hero’s Journey
The Hero’s Journey is the most common storyline of fantasy novels everywhere.
In fact, it’s almost impossible to write a fantasy or soft sci-fi without borrowing from this trope at least a little.
All fantasy writers should know this structure so they can help their stories stand out from the crowd.
Recommended Resources
- The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler
Craft Basics: How to Write Dialogue that Keeps People Awake at Night
Learn one of the most essential building blocks of good fiction technique: Dialogue!
- Why can’t you write the way real people speak?
- What do arguing people never talk about?
- How do you say “I love you” without words?
We’ll cover all of the above. As a bonus, I’ll also show you the #1 rookie mistake that shouts, “THIS IS MY FIRST BOOK!”—and how to fix it.
Recommended Resources
- Dialogue by Gloria Kempton
You’re Killing Me: How to Commit Crimes (and Then Get Caught)
Let’s talk the basics of mystery fiction!
From plotting a crime to slapping the handcuffs on, we’ll talk about the basics of writing mystery and crime fiction. Plus, we’ll talk about the One Sacred Rule of mystery fiction that you absolutely must follow … or risk dire consequences!
Recommended Resources
- Police Procedure & Investigation: A Guide for Writers by Lee Lofland
- Forensics: A Guide for Writers by D. P. Lyle, M. D.
- Book of Poisons: A Guide for Writers by Serita Stevens and Anne Bannon
- The Crime Writer’s Reference Guide: 100 Tips for Writing the Perfect Murder by Martin Roth
- Talking About Detective Fiction by P. D. James
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
- Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie
Faith & Family
Inspirational Topics
How to Trust God in the NICU & Beyond
In the spring of 2018–less than a year into marriage–my husband and I heard words we never expected:
“You’re having twins.”
The season that followed was filled with sudden medical complications, a premature delivery, five weeks in the NICU, and the darkest months of our lives.
During this time, we had to learn how to trust God even when answers seem far away.
If you’re currently in a season of trials, I’d love to encourage you with my family’s main message: When trials become extreme, so does God’s providence.
Sticky Rocks and Princess Tears: A Twin Mom’s Thoughts on Comparing Siblings
As a mom of boy/girl twins, I live in an ongoing science experiment on the differences between males and females.
While boys and girls have many things in common, there are also SO many differences … and some of them are foundational to their very identities!
Everything from …
- play styles
- learning styles
- expressing love
- expressing anger
- patience
- problem solving
- emotional fortitude
- recovering from discipline
- attention-seeking behaviors
I’d love to share with you the lessons I’m learning about who our children are, how they are alike and different, and what to do when we’re tempted to compare them against each other.
If you’d like to hear a sample of this conversation, check out my conversation with Laurie Christine at Redeeming the Chaos!