Amy Watkins is a Washington, D.C. native. She received an undergraduate degree from Frostburg State University and a medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She served in the US Navy for 8 years. She currently works as a family medicine physician for the Navy. She is a single mother of three and has one adopted fur-baby. She is a very active member of her church. She also is a strong advocate for justice, equality, and human rights. Writing has always been a hobby for her and now she is making it into a career. 200 Letters is her debut novel.
PWH: What sparked your interest in writing?
AW: In childhood, I hated reading. Then I picked up The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah and my life changed. Books turned from boring stories assigned by my teachers of which I could not relate to exciting dramatic relatable creations that I could learn life lessons from. I started writing poetry and short stories in college. 200 Letters is my first published novel.
PWH: What motivated your book 200 Letters?
AW: 200 Letters is based on my personal life and the lives of some of my closest friends. I combined our stories of struggle and growth into this novel. The book started as a stress reliever for me as I was going through these horrible circumstances and it developed beautifully into a very inspirational work of art.
PWH: What message do you hope readers gain when reading 200 Letters?
AW: There are many enlightening messages in 200 Letters. Some of those lessons include:
1. Know your worth. You are not obligated to put up with abuse. 2. Realize the difference between love and lust. 3. Mass incarceration is a very real and unjust profit scheme. 4. Forgive those who hurt you. 5. Do not judge others. We all sin and fall short of God’s glory 6. The Bible is still very applicable to modern life and problems. 7. Both kindness and betrayal can come from the most unlikely sources.
PWH: Where can readers find your book?
AW: 200 Letters is available through Amazon and is free with Kindle Unlimited. https://www.amazon.com/200-Letters-Amy-Watkins-ebook/dp/B086J52X4L/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=200+letters+by+Amy+Watkins&qid=1585913095&sr=8-2
PWH: Do you have any upcoming projects?
AW: I have two spin-offs from 200 Letters which I have started recently. They are background stories from two of the smaller characters in 200 Letters.
