What My Blog Is About

Blog by amberafter

Hi everyone,

First and foremost, I want to start by saying thankyou for visiting Happily Amber After.

 

Thankyou.JPGloveheart

 

Somehow, you’ve stumbled across my blog and thought it worthwhile to see what it’s all about. I’m quite certain that Happily Amber After doesn’t really fit into your typical niche blogging category, which I think can be quite confusing.

So, I want to share with you what my blog is about.

Who Am I?

My pen name is Amber A. And I am the author of Happily Amber After. I live in Perth, Western Australia and my DREAM in life is to write a book. I first started writing in high school, aged 14, when I had a head full of ideas and ambitions. But, as I got older, started working full time fresh out of university, bought a house and settled down into adult life, I found it hard to maintain motivation for my dream. I am now close to hitting the big 3-0 and I had an epiphany mid last year – if I wanted to make my dream come true, I’ve got to make it happen.

And so, conception of Happily Amber After began!

What is Happily Amber After All About?

Happily Amber After is an online diary blog of fictional West Australian teen girl Amber A, who is just starting Senior School, in 2004. The diary entries are written through her POV, and is updated regularly. It mirrors some of the issues that I went through during high school; there is drama obviously, but I’ve tried to make it as realistic as possible, so people may be to relate to it, and maybe take something useful away from it (even if it’s only entertainment value!)

A wise person once told me that the one of the easiest things to write about, is to write about what you already know. And that’s just what I did. In 2018, I secured a web domain and Happily Amber After was launched!

The idea came to me for one of 2 reasons:

1. I love my sister to bits, and she is going through high school right now. She always comes to me for advice on different teen topics, and even though there is a massive age gap between us, some of her problems are still very relevant in today’s day and age.

2. I was really tired of reading about young adult/teen teenagers in fiction who had ‘suffered’ a major tragedy, came from a broken family or ran away from home, or a good girl who fell for the bad boy, or discovered they were part of a bigger picture, etc. So OVER It! I just wanted to write about a normal, average girl, who was going through her adolescent years.

I know that there are heaps of books out there on American teen life, but In Australia, it’s a different story. I can only think of 3 off the top of my head: Puberty Blues (1971), Hating Alison Ashley (1984) and Looking For Alibrandi (1992). I’m pretty sure that there’s got to be more recent books out there, but you have to admit, the young adult/ teen fiction genre in Australia is lacking.

I chose 2004 for a specific reason. Not only was I going through Year 11, the start of Senior school for most teenagers, it was also the rise of the smart technology and the social media era. Facebook was invite only, MySpace was all the rage, Discman’s were starting to die out with the rise of Apple and the iPod, and camera phones were just starting to take off. Nokia and Blackberry reigned supreme. And although the above-mentioned books have subsequently been made into film adaptions in the 2000’s, there is seriously a piece of teen history missing in Australian literature.

I know that there are millennials out there who could definitely relate to some of the issues explored, from tough and sensitive issues such as bullying to self esteem issues, friends and school drama, relationships and family problems – the list goes on.

Plus, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with reminiscing about the good ol’ days, am I right?

From Tim Tam Slams, Vegemite, Milo, to TEE (now called ATAR), Leavers, Schoolies and MSN, this is a VERY Australian diary on the life of an average teenage girl.

The ups and downs, the trials and tribulations, the fun and heartbreak – a teenager’s life can be so hard!

Sounds Awesome! Where Should I Start?

If you’re up for some night time reading, then by all means, please stay a while!

You can start from the beginning here.

To start from Australia Day, click here.

I’d Love To Hear From You!

I’d love to know what you guys think, so please don’t be a stranger and drop a comment (or more!) on any of my posts – I will always respond.

Alternatively, you can contact me here.

Amber A.

loveheart

24 Comments

  2. Heartstrings
    Reply

    Your second reason for writing this blog- ugh!- I’ve been looking for a book like this for ages! I don’t remember how I found your blog but I’m so glad I did. Thanks for doing what you do!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. amberafter
      Reply

      Oh I wish I was a teenager again! There would be so many things I’d do differently. But on the flip side, I wouldn’t have any life experience to draw from when I write 😅 Thankyou for the words of encouragement, I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying the story so far! ☺️💗

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Ashley
    Reply

    I LOVE that I stumbled upon your blog, Amber, and am excited to follow your journey as a up-and-coming writer. Your background sounds very similar to my own, except I am one of those American girls (sorry, not helping with the Aussie blogger lookout) growing closer and closer to the big 3-0. Being transported back to 2004 has me all in the feels — both good and bad — and I’m looking forward to more from you. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. amberafter
      Reply

      Hi Ashley!

      I’m so sorry that I haven’t replied to this sooner – for some reason my comment filter moved it to a different folder! Thankyou so much for your kind words; I’m so glad that you’re enjoying it so far and find it somewhat relatable! ❤

      Like

  9. Faith
    Reply

    You will be a very successful fictional writer when the time comes. Had I not read this part, I wouldn’t know your previous posts are a bit fictional 😂😂 creative and gifted you are!! New fan here 💁🏻‍♀️

    Liked by 1 person

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