About the Author
Autobiography
Bullied and pushed inward...
"I have heard if you can write a book about your life's story without shedding a tear, you have truly healed, and are a strong person. That is someone I strive to become. Though writing my life's story did help me heal somewhat, I am not the person I strive to be. Yet. When will I know I've become her? I don't know. But I won't give up. I am a work-in-progress." Amber wishes to reach others like her, who need to escape their brutal worlds in order to heal, or just have a break from their day-to-day pain. Becoming someone else, even for a little while, can give strength when needed the most.
A.R. Grosjean, aka Amber, was born on March 11, 1976, to the parents of David and Mavis Rigby. She grew up on a small farm just outside of Monroe, Indiana. Amber is the second child of three girls. Hope, Amber, and Wendi. Amber was bullied growing up between her peers and family members. She turned inward and discovered writing a year after attempting suicide. She was 11 years old when she discovered being a writer was who she wanted and needed to be. It gave her a sense of purpose and an identity she never had before. Amber enjoyed spending time with all the cats on the farm, singing and talking to them as if they were real people. For her, they were the only real friends she had. It was later, when Amber learned she had more friends who she remained in contact with long after graduating from high school. But it took a long journey of healing before that discovery was made.
In 1996, Amber married Jack Grosjean. They are still married today and he is her biggest fan and supporter. They have three grown children and five grandchildren. Amber is called Nana, and her first grandchild named her. Now, Amber collects anything "nana" including mugs, pens, bears, etc. Her grandchildren are Amber's biggest inspiration although she is inspired by everything and anything around her. Fantasy is Amber's favorite genre because it allows her to go beyond the rules of life and just let her imagination take over. She enjoys writing most genres and doesn't want to stop with fantasy, but go beyond it.
On Writing
Amber is passionate about writing. It is the process of writing that she enjoys the most. For her, writing is an adventure.
Amber is what you call a "pantser" which means, she doesn't plan the stories. She watches the characters play out the scenes in her head and writes down what she sees, hears, and feels. She did try planning a story once, but when it came to writing the story, the outline for the story "went out the window". Not knowing what's around the corner keeps Amber excited about each story, pushing her closer to the end, whenever that may be. Every writer is different. What works for her may not work for you, so do what works for you if you're a writer too. Amber talks about writing on Instagram and would love to be friends there.
Like many writers, Amber used to dread the editing process but came to love it because it always made the stories better. This is a process that cannot be skipped. One thing Amber learned is that when others edit the story, the writer can't allow their personal feelings to cloud their judgment. It isn't personal when an editor says something needs to be fixed. It is only for the story's improvement. She has grown to love to hear other's feedback.
Amber has a flexible imagination, which has enabled her to write different stories back-to-back. She can write fantasy and turn around to write a thriller with a completely different feeling and tone to it. This has made her different from other writers, something she hated about herself for a while, but grew to cherish as writing improved. Amber loves being different now.
If you have any questions, please email Amber and tell her what's on your mind. Thank you!
