Talking Shop: Amy Keim

This week’s Talking Shop features one of my BF4Ls. Amy and I were set up on a “blind friend date” in seventh grade and have been BFFs ever since. (Well, I probably annoy her, but she puts up with me.) We’ve been through so much together, and she has been such a solid presence in my life. Between church dances, Latin class, late-night orange chicken and It sleepovers, Red car jam (and crying) sessions, and joint crushes on our high school math teacher, we’ve been side by side, and I am so grateful for her. Also, she’s so incredibly smart, funny, talented, and beautiful, so I had to give you all the opportunity to know her, too. Meet: Amy Keim.

What was your college experience like?

I loved college! I mean, mostly because of the midnight Wendy’s runs, but also because of the learning thing. Hah. But really, I was lucky to learn so many essential writing tips and techniques from incredible teachers, so I was really lucky.

What advice would you give to a freshman in your major?

Okay, maybe this is stupid, but I really wish someone had told me this: GET TO KNOW YOUR ADVISOR! Like, I took so many classes I didn’t even need because I didn’t get to know my advisor and I didn’t really understand what courses were required for my major. I was just like, “Oh, electives? I’ll take those for three years!” I definitely wish I’d been more familiar with the ins-and-outs of my major, and I think getting to know my advisor would have saved me from wasted time and money.

What do you love most about your major?
Oh man, so many things! I’ve always loved the English language, probably thanks to my mother, who worked almost 15 years as a Latin teacher. She passed on to me a love of grammar and correcting people. (Just kidding. Mostly.) But I love that with English, I never stop learning — I feel like the more I know, the more I realize there is so much that I don’t know. It’s definitely a life-long process of learning and I really enjoy that (and sometimes hate that!) about English. 

What inspires you?

Being able to help people in any capacity, whether that’s writing something that someone might relate to or editing something to make it look more polished.

What is a day in your life like? 

Oh gosh, I’m so boring. My day just consists of writing and editing for several hours, playing with my dogs, and hanging out with my husband.

What is your biggest accomplishment? 

Getting my husband to marry me! 😉 Also, serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was really hard, but incredibly rewarding. Four years later, it continues to bless my life in every possible way.

How did you discover your passion? 

I’ve loved to write for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I’d buy composition notebooks and load them up with stories about everything from dolphins (my childhood favorite animal) to Mary-Kate and Ashley. Then, in high school, I became copy editor on the newspaper staff and I loved it. So I’ve known that I love to write since I was a little girl, but I didn’t realize I wanted to be an editor until high school.

The Fun Qs:

What’s your guilty pleasure? 
I make so many Spotify playlists, it’s ridiculous. I love them! I actually make most of them private, because the sheer amount I have is kind of embarrassing. I have one for different moods; I have a whole “Best of _____” section…. Evidently, I have way too much time on my hands!
How would you describe yourself in three words? 

Kind. Smart. Important. (Just kidding. That’s just from The Help because I can’t think of anything…) Uhm, probably friendly, empathetic, and silly.

What three books would you bring to a deserted island?

I love so many — that’s like choosing a favorite star in the sky! Religious texts aside, Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson, any book in the Harry Potter series (except for the fifth one… not my fave), and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I also love anything by Jenny B. Jones and Janette Rallison/CJ Hill. 

What food can you not stand?

I seriously feel like I’m the only person in the world who hates these, but I can’t stand mashed potatoes. Never liked them, never will. They seriously make me gag.

What song would be the theme song to a movie about your life?

“How Your Love Makes Me Feel” by Diamond Rio. One of my favorite songs of all time! I feel like it’s such a perfect description of what it feels like to be happy and in love.

What is your hidden talent? 

I can dislocate my pinky really fast. Does that count? Also, I can remember super random and obscure facts about people, which I always think will make me seem like a loving, caring person, but in reality just makes me look like a stalker.

Thanks, Amy!

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