Member Spotlight :: hope*writer Amanda Dzimianski

At hope*writers, we love to celebrate our members and their writing progress. Each month, we highlight a member whose work caught our attention, and this month we’re celebrating nonfiction writer Amanda Dzimianski. To learn more about Amanda’s writing, you can visit her website or find her on Instagram and Twitter.

We asked Amanda to tell us about her writing journey as a hope*writer. Here’s Amanda’s story in her own words.

When did you first realize you were a writer?

During a drive in 2018 when I listened to episode five of The Next Right Thing podcast, called "Offer Your Work With Hope." I suddenly realized that I didn't have to fight against the desires I'd carried in my heart since childhood, when I dreamed of a career writing books. I could accept those desires as part of who I am, and who I am meant to be.

What is the value of having a community of writers to come alongside you?

Priceless. When I get bogged down by my own doubts, there are always others who can offer perspective and words of courage to help me keep going. Additionally, I learn so much from others who have already done what I do and want to do in the future.

Why is hope*writers the right community for you?

Hope*writers cultivates a culture of self-awareness, which I feel is deeply necessary to putting good words into the world. The community also creates an opportunity to connect with other writers who care about the things I care about and write about. Those relationships are the reason I stick with hope*writers.

What do you like most about the resources offered by hope*writers and why?

Hope*circles are invaluable to me, for the company they provide, the progress they afford, and the connections, friendships, and networks they build. The Facebook group and the hope*writers library are both huge parts of problem-solving for me — I always go there first for writing information, before Google.

What specific progress have you made since becoming a hope*writer? 

I have:  

• Gained more clarity on my message and audience, and on how to connect my readers with my message.
• Built an email list and created multiple lead magnets.
• Significantly improved my website.
• Learned how to reevaluate the purpose of social media for writers, and see it, most of the time, as a gift instead of a burden.
• Written and pitched a book proposal.
• Gotten an authentic and realistic picture of the work a writing career requires and how it can grow me as a person.
• Become more creative with my definition of success, and more open to other creative endeavors.

I always credit episode five of The Next Right Thing as the reason I began writing, but hope*writers is the reason I keep going.

Are you interested in a writing community that will help you take consistent steps toward progress like Amanda? Click here to learn more about how to join hope*writers!