Acutely Amanda: Fiction, Folklore, and Fiber Arts

This week, I’m tackling my procrastinations—starting with a project I bought more than 10 years ago : a Metal Earth model of the “easy” P-51 Mustang. I’ll share what made a cozy crafter pick up a model airplane kit in the first place, then walk you through the build step-by-step. Along the way, we’ll talk about:✨ How perfectionism can interfere with creative joy 🛠️ What surprised me about the Met...

Welcome to the first episode of Season 4–our crafty season! (Quick reminder: odd-numbered seasons explore fiction, while even-numbered seasons highlight fiber arts and handmade creativity.) This week, I’m upcycling a too-big for me dress into a shirred skirt. It’s a task I thought would be simple, but let’s just say tears are a rite of passage when it comes to this technique. I’ll walk you through...

Whispers in the woods, a hidden trail, and a mythical voice 🌲👣🗣️ In this urban fantasy short story, Bigfoot herself speaks from Leominster State Forest. But is she convincing us of what she says or of something deeper she can’t quite admit? What happens when myth, solitude, and hidden truths collide under the trees? Welcome to Episode 5 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing original...

Craft aisles, paranoia, and one determined mom. 🛒🙏🔥 In this urban fantasy short story, we step into the life of Tova Gallagher’s mother—a woman who once sowed wild oats but now sees demons in the everyday. When a trip to Walmart turns into a crusade, the battle isn’t fought with fists, but with fear, faith, and words. What happens when fundamentalism collides with fluorescent lights and craft s...

Moonlight, tiger lilies, and political intrigue. 🌙🌸🩸In this urban fantasy short story, a centuries-old vampire tends her midnight garden. Only it’s not about beauty. When invasive roots tangle with power struggles, the real battle begins. What happens when horticulture and politics collide under the cover of darkness? Welcome to Episode 3 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing origin...

Spilling secrets, crushed coffee cups, and nervous glances. ☕🐺🌕 In this urban fantasy short story, Shelby attends a peer support group with a twist. But no one wants to admit to the secret they all share. What happens when personal struggles and supernatural secrets collide in the same circle of chairs? Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing original short storie...

Bartleby’s demon training day on the Charles River? Total chaos. 🛶👹In this paranormally spooky (and slightly silly) short story, a nephilim (half-demon/half-human) and his demon mentor attempt to disrupt peaceful boat rentals in Boston. What could possibly go wrong? Welcome to Episode 1 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I share original short stories from my paranormal romance universe. This...

Welcome to Episode 5 of Season 2—the final episode of our first-ever fiber arts season! (Quick reminder: odd-numbered seasons explore fiction, while even-numbered seasons highlight fiber arts and handmade creativity. Don’t worry—crafts return in Season 4.) This week, I’m macraméing a fish keychain… and unexpectedly tying myself into centuries of history. I’ll walk you through the project step-by-s...

Welcome to Episode 4 of Season 2—our first-ever fiber arts season! (Quick reminder: odd-numbered seasons explore fiction, while even-numbered seasons highlight fiber arts and handmade creativity.) This week, I’m trying my hand at 2D needle felting —what some call painting with wool , and what I call a little cathartic stabbing in the name of art . I’ll walk you through the cactus-themed kit I used...

Season 2 Episode 3: Crocheting a Donut Snake, Thinking of Kirby: Why Handmade Gifts Matter Welcome to Episode 3 of Season 2—our first-ever fiber arts season! (Quick reminder: odd-numbered seasons explore fiction, while even-numbered seasons highlight fiber arts and handmade creativity.) This week, I’m crocheting one of the weirdest—and cutest—projects I’ve ever tried: an amigurumi donut snake. I’l...

Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 2—our first-ever fiber arts season! (Quick reminder: odd-numbered seasons explore fiction, while even-numbered seasons highlight fiber arts and handmade creativity.) This week, I’m tackling a cold, gloomy New England entryway by DIY-ing an accent wall with Tempaper peel-and-stick wallpaper—a renter-friendly option with bold Miami Art Deco flair. I’ll share why I chos...

Season 2, Episode 1: Stitch & Zip and the Joy of Finishing Something Handmade Welcome to the first episode of Season 2—our first-ever fiber arts season ! (Quick reminder: odd-numbered seasons focus on fiction, while even-numbered ones highlight fiber arts and handmade creativity.) This week, I’m diving into a Stitch & Zip eyeglasses case kit I found at a thrift store for just $3. I share w...

Season 1, Episode 10: Landlord or Be Landlorded? Talking Animals, Housing, & Capitalism in Fiction In this episode, we step into a cozy coffee shop—where the customers just happen to be a bunny, a squirrel, and a barista with strong opinions. Our final drabble of the season explores gentrification, capitalism, and housing struggles—all through the lens of anthropomorphized animals. Then, we di...

Season 1, Episode 9: Dystopian Futures & the Reality of Aging – The Stories We Need to TellIn this episode, we begin with a 100-word dystopian drabble about an elderly person who must take part in a scientific study for money. From there, we dive into the portrayal of older characters in fiction—why they’re often sidelined, the depth and complexity they bring to storytelling, and why we need m...

Season 1, Episode 8: The Magic Microwave & How Fantasy Fiction Transforms UsIn this week’s episode, I read a fantasy story about a microwave with a surprising ability—it turns anything you put into it into food that helps its owner start to overcome her eating disorder. Then, we dive into how fantasy fiction uses metaphor and escapism to help us process difficult emotions and experiences. Fina...

Season 1, Episode 7: Mouse Mischief, Memory, and the Power of Fiction In this episode, we follow a house mouse on a tiny but determined quest for dinner. Then, we explore how fiction—especially stories about non-human characters—helps build empathy in unexpected ways. How does stepping into the paws of a mouse (or any creature) shift our perspective? Finally, I share the real-world inspiration beh...

Season 1, Episode 6: Detroit-Style Pizza, the Ocean, & Contemporary Women's FictionIn this week’s episode, I read a slice-of-life story about a woman who moved from the Midwest to Massachusetts, drawn by the ocean but missing the comfort of Detroit-style pizza. When she finally finds a pizzeria serving her favorite style, she’s faced with an unexpected disappointment—one that goes beyond j...

Season 1, Episode 5: When a Ghastly Gourd Forces You to Face Your Grief In this episode, I read a flash fiction story told in second person POV—about a ghastly gourd that’s not really about a gourd at all. It’s a metaphor for grief and the difficult, inescapable things we face after losing a loved one. Then, we dive into the unique power of second-person POV: how it forces us into another’s shoes,...

Season 1, Episode 4: Frederico the Frog Faces Mortality: How Talking Animals Help Us Make Sense of Life In this week’s episode, I share my longest story yet—a 755-word flash fiction piece about a talkative frog, his animal companions, and the unexpected truth about his home. Then, we dive into anthropomorphized animals in fiction. Finally, I discuss the real-life setting that inspired this story:...

Season 1, Episode 3: A Monster Lurks on the Mudflat & Writing Horror in 100 Words In this week’s episode, we dive into a chilling piece of microfiction set on Cape Cod, where an evil mermaid lurks in the tidal flats. Then, we discuss why writing drabbles is such a unique challenge, why they make great writing exercises, and how other microfiction formats like double drabbles and dribbles compa...

Season 1, Episode 2: Pumas, Coffee, and Writing About GriefIn this week’s episode, we explore a piece of microfiction about a puma and a coffee shop—but beneath the surface, it’s really a story about grief. Then, we dive into the writing exercise that inspired it, drawn from Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin. We’ll talk about how emotions shape storytelling, the challenge of writing about gr...

Season 1 Episode 1: A Duck, A Drabble, and a Bit of Literary HistoryIn this week’s episode, we kick things off with a tiny but mighty piece of microfiction—about a duck. Then, we dive into the world of drabble fiction: what it is, where it comes from, and why it’s such a fascinating storytelling challenge. Finally, I share a personal story about one very special duck that left a lasting impression...