Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber M. Davies
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always had a creative streak, a fact that became clear to me only recently. From early on, I immersed myself in creative writing, meticulously saving clippings and doodles in a pendaflex for future story sparks. While devouring works by Stephen King and indulging in regency romance, I found little joy in the assigned school readings. Music became a passion as I played the piano, delved into Dungeons & Dragons, embraced my inner band geek, and explored the art of crocheting and crafting.
At the tender age of 15, I found myself running away from home amidst trying circumstances and family turmoil. Despite the challenges, with the support of a friend, I managed to complete high school alongside balancing work and bills. At 17, I became pregnant and, though I knew it would be difficult, I made the decision to pursue motherhood. I was up to the challenge. Any dreams of a creative career were put on hold in order to start a lucrative career in accounting. Eventually, I moved into IT and there I thought I’d stay until I retired. After 14 years with the company, I was laid off due to a “clerical error” — I was devastated, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
With my eldest son serving as a Surgical Tech in the Navy and my youngest growing more independent, I seized the opportunity to reignite my passion for writing amidst the pandemic-driven upheaval. Venturing into the realm of short story contests and anthologies, I celebrated my first acceptance with “Minor Keys” included in the Election of Words Anthology by Scout Media, marking a significant milestone in my writing journey.
Simultaneously, various paths converged as I embarked on a part-time role with an organizational health company to bolster our finances. I pondered the inception of my YouTube channel, “Perty Nerdy,” focusing on the space where tabletop gaming and writing meet – worldbuilding. At that same time, I stumbled upon an intriguing opportunity with Dungeon Studios seeking a writer. At Dungeon Studios, I have thrived, engaging in numerous projects. I’ve contributed as a writer, taken on hosting duties for two podcasts, refined my video editing craft, and currently hold the role of Chief Project Director.
I now delicately juggle all three jobs while nurturing my evolving writing career aspirations.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve encountered my fair share of challenges. While I stand by my decisions, I often wonder what my path would have been like had I not run away from home or become a young mom. There were instances where I teetered on the edge, floating checks for groceries, eating Top Ramen for the week until payday, or sacrificing my own needs to ensure my son’s well-being.
Growing up swiftly became my reality, leaving me isolated while my friends reveled in their youth. Running away brought with it not only the loss of my adolescence, but financial and emotional growing pains. My life had deviated from the norm. I had denied myself the conventional rites of passage and educational opportunities that many take for granted.
Now, at my current stage in life, I find myself racing to catch up with writers who have had a lifetime to amass knowledge, training, and experience in the creative realm. I’ve had to cultivate a thick hide swiftly when faced with writing critiques and feedback. I’m embracing the necessity for rapid adaptation and relentless improvement in my writing pursuits, fueled by a fervent desire for success.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my role as Chief Project Director, I spearhead ideation and organizational strategies at Dungeon Studios, seeking to ensure a consistent standard of excellence across all our endeavors. I orchestrate, host, produce, and video edit two of our podcasts, “The Game” and “Nerd Newz,”. “The Game” is a vibrant tabletop talk show delving into the intricate rules and mechanics of tabletop gaming, while “Nerd Newz” offers an informative news-format show covering diverse nerdy topics. Recently, as part of “Nerd Newz,” we had the thrilling opportunity to cover Dead Wars, the world’s largest D&D event, where I was able to meet with and interview esteemed figures in the tabletop community.
I’m currently writing for our audio drama “Fables From the Forgotten,” collaborating closely with our talented scriptwriters and voice actors, a project that holds a special place in my heart due to the collective passion poured into it.
My personal channel, Perty Nerdy, serves as a creative hub where I engage in enlightening interviews with authors and game masters, unveiling their world building insights and techniques. Additionally, I craft visually captivating music videos in a lo-fi style, embedding world building prompts to inspire writers and game masters to construct intricate civilizations, landscapes, and characters within their storytelling realms.
Venturing beyond the digital realm, I host panels and workshops at gaming and anime conventions, focusing on the art of running tabletop games. This year, I am thrilled to announce my participation in Big Bad Con, a milestone gathering where I will be sharing my expertise on game-running strategies.
In the realm of writing, my diverse projects span across multiple genres, from horror to fantasy and sci-fi, with a penchant for infusing elements of macabre and grotesque themes. Recently, I was honored to receive the prestigious Writing Excuses Scholarship for their Minnesota retreat, an immersive experience that rejuvenated my creative spirit and fueled my determination to bring the many literary endeavors on my runway to fruition.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
When it comes to writing, a crucial piece of advice is to silence your internal editor and focus on completing the story. Avoid getting bogged down in minor details like the color of your character’s clothing or exhaustive research on building structures and the speed at which airbags deploy; instead, keep the momentum by pushing through to the end. Perfectionism can stall progress, leading to a half-finished tale. Remember, a flawed story can be edited and refined, but you can’t fix a story that doesn’t exist. Use placeholder words or skip scenes temporarily until clarity emerges. For those struggling with silencing their inner critic, consider participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Its flagship program is an annual creative writing event in which participants attempt to write a 50,000-word manuscript during the month of November. Even if you don’t complete the event, the participation alone helps you to cultivate a habit of story completion and gain valuable techniques and experience.
On that note, I highly recommend exploring diverse writing techniques and exercises – even if you’re a seasoned writer. Because of my Type-A personality, I had always assumed that I would be what we call in the writing world a “plotter” or “planner”. It took many years for me to realize that once I’ve plotted out my story, I quickly lose interest in writing or completing it. I now embrace a hybridized method of plotting and “pantsing” – this allows me to have a general plot direction and still “discover” and uncover mysteries as I write. I get to maintain a level of spontaneity that keeps me engaged and eager to complete the story.
Transitioning to video content creation, my advice is to take the leap and “just do the damn thing.” Don’t wait for perfect equipment or expertise before launching your YouTube or social media channel. Regardless of your budget for equipment or your skill in video editing, your first few videos will not be perfect. It’s the essence of storytelling that is key and this is something that will evolve as you produce content. Developing a unique voice takes time and experimentation — there’s no instant formula for it. Over time, you’ll learn what methods you prefer for making your videos and what grabs the audience’s attention.
Regardless of developing voice, there’s a steep curve to navigating social media algorithms. It’s rarely every creator’s experience that you create the magical viral video and make it big overnight. In reality, it’s a marathon. As a new and hungry creator, the temptation to churn out content and feed the algorithm is strong. Pace yourself, plan for sustainability, and avoid burnout by prioritizing quality over quantity in content creation strategies or you’ll find yourself giving up just as the going is getting good.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pertynerdy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PertyNerdy/
- Twitter: https://x.com/PertyNerdy_RWB
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pertynerdy
- Other: https://linktr.ee/pertynerdy
