Newman in top 10 for writing contest

By TOM STANKARD

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Hurley - For most people, writing is nothing more than a hobby. For Amy Newman, of Hurley, it's her passion.

Beginning in college, Newman said she started writing, and hasn't stopped since. Over the past 13 years, the author has written 10 novels and even got one published. Newman said she likes to write about romance and write young adult and children's books.

"It's been my dream to be a published author for a very long time, and that dream is what has kept be going, even through the rough times," she said. "I love every one of my stories and I want to share them with people, and hopefully they'll love them as much as I do. That's the reason I love to write."

When she isn't writing, Newman said she likes to spend time with her husband, her two sons and her big, yellow dog. Newman also likes to cook, horseshoe and read. Newman said her personal library holds over 2,000 books.

Newman said she wanted to take her writing career to the next level, so she entered a, "So You Think You can Write" contest in September. Newman said the contest is a worldwide competition featuring writers across the globe and settings limited to the imagination.

For the contest, Newman entered a romantic piece. She said it's about a "woman who returns to her northern Wisconsin homeland to raise her brother after her parents passed away in a car accident. She meets a bush pilot from her high school and they fall in love."

As inspiration, Newman said she incorporated life experiences she had growing up in the northern Wisconsin area.

Editors have read all the submissions and then narrowed a list down to 55 authors. Then, Newman said the public voted her part of the 25 authors remaining.

"I never thought I would get into the top 25," she said.

Recently, Newman said she was notified she is in the top 10 authors.

If she wins, she will get a two-book writing contract with Harlequin, a publishing company. She said she needs the public's help to win by voting for her.

To vote, visit soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com.