Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy B. Chesler.
Amy, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a storyteller and creator born, bred, and breeding in Los Angeles, California. I am the child of a single mother who was an LAUSD teacher, small business owner, and one inspiring lady.
However, she and my brother had a tenuous relationship, which affected our tiny family greatly. The more my father and society shunned my brother (who began developing signs of mental illness in his early teen years), the more rage he internalized towards mom and me. Until one day, in late 2007, my older brother killed my mom.
This consumed my life for quite a while. Then, after a five-year battle to keep him behind bars, to grieve my mother, and to create a loving, stable home life of my own, I was finally able to focus on healing.
Before Mom’s death, I received my degree in Psychology, and all of my work experience was in education and/or technology (I even worked for Arnold Schwarzenegger at one point!). But I knew I had little interest in teaching after Mom died and I had my own children. So, as I tried to figure myself and parenthood out, I started writing. I quickly realized that was what I needed to do to heal, and pursuing a career in words would also be fulfilling a lifelong dream.
I was first published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, in which I shared about an angel visit I received from my mom. After that initial story, four more of my stories were accepted. With such a large and wonderful corporation’s confidence in me, I felt worthy to submit elsewhere.
My career took a turn towards the stage when I was first cast in Expressing Motherhood, a live stage show highlighting stories of motherhood, and it helped me heal an immense amount. And an even greater perk from that piece was that it won my blog, http://thishouseoflove.
Since then, my various work on parenting, grief, love, healing, confidence, and life has appeared all over, and I contribute regularly to many publications. I write and blog about movies, as well as interview entertainment professionals/actors for the DVD Netflix site. I have an ongoing content-creating relationship with the amazing Life of Mom & BluntMoms. I also have written many articles for the inspirational site, Elephant Journal and the parenting site, BluntMoms. And my newest triumph was being hired as the WOW Summit 2018 conference emcee.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m finding that the more I write and put my stories out into the world, the more I receive confirmation I’m on the right path. So, no, writing hasn’t been difficult. The steps towards success haven’t been either.
Just simply healing from my life has been the most difficult thing. In the wake of domestic violence, or even just grief, life’s triumphs can become tainted and bittersweet. But I’ve learned that life rarely ends up resembling the vision we’ve created for ourselves, and that it is painfully short. It is also full of pain at times, but heartache is what allows us to see just how sweet the good times are.
Please tell us about your business.
I specialize in content (digital and traditional) designed to impact people with honesty and humor (when appropriate). Although I often discuss the hard topics such as grief, loss, and parenthood, I also have been blessed with the opportunity to dabble in everything. As I mentioned before, I have some fabulous collaborations and am especially proud of my ongoing relationships with Chicken Soup for the Soul, Life of Mom, and DVD Netflix. I mean, who else gets to say they’re lucky enough to write/livestream about healing, motherhood, and movies for work?
Everything I create I do so for mom; she was not only my role model, but she remains to be my inspiration. I also do it for other victims of domestic violence. It’s important people know that there is life after pain. It may not be easy, but it’s there. And it really can be so beautiful. Lastly, I do it to give my perspective to the world: if sharing can keep at least one person from experiencing what I have, or appreciating their blessings, then it’s worth it.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Have tenacity. Do not compromise your values or beliefs in the struggle, but also do not waiver. You are there for a reason.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thishouseoflove.net
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ABCauthor
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABCauthor1
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABCAuthor
- Other: http://www.amazon.com/author/abchesler
Image Credit:
Life of Mom, Mom2Summit
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
