Writing from the Emboldened Heart: A Q&A with Amanda Crundall
- PartnershipPublishing
- Sep 19
- 5 min read
The Emboldened Heart is the second poetry collection from Amanda Crundall – a thoughtful and quietly powerful book that weaves poetry and short stories into one emotionally resonant journey. With themes of self-worth, identity, childhood, womanhood and longing, Amanda’s voice is both lyrical and grounded, revealing a writer unafraid to look inward and speak truthfully.
Following on from her earlier work, this collection offers a deepening – a continued unravelling of emotional memory and imaginative reflection. The combination of gentle rhythm and emotional courage gives each piece a sense of clarity, connection and strength.
We spoke to Amanda about the personal stories behind her writing, the shift between poetry and prose, and what it means to live and create with an emboldened heart.
The Emboldened Heart is such a beautifully personal title. What does it mean to you, and how did it come to define the whole collection?
Thank you, the title not only links to my debut collection but signifies a continuous journey as a woman in what is often referred to as living in a misogynistic society. I think more so than ever before the challenges placed upon women have increased, not decreased, over the years. To be bold, brave and able to be heard is vital for women to be actively listened to and respected without being referred to as a ‘man hater’ for simply creating boundaries and making hard decisions in our lives. The truth is far from ‘man hating’ and one for the actual need for equality and mutual respect. I feel The Emboldened Heart is the next step in my journey.
The book blends both poetry and short stories. Was that always the intention, or did the pieces find their way together over time?
No, it wasn’t. However, during a difficult patch, I began reflecting on my childhood memories for the first time. My childhood memories have been very patchy, trauma-related on the whole. As time has passed, having seen significant changes in my life over the last 4 years, some of the happier memories have resurfaced. I am grateful for that. The poetry and short stories have found a creative unity.
There’s a real openness in your writing – particularly around themes like identity, vulnerability and personal growth. Was it challenging or cathartic to share these parts of yourself on the page?
That is not the first time someone has asked me that type of question. I think when you have experienced any type of trauma, you are vulnerable to ‘over-sharing’. I think when you are personally aware of that openness and can canvass that as a therapeutic outlet, you then feel a form of catharsis, switching from a vulnerable person to being self-empowered. Sharing with others in need of emotional connection, strength and support is a precious part of life. As I have said before, if my writing helps one person, then my heart on my sleeve has been worthwhile.
Many of the poems are rich with memory and sensory detail. Do you tend to write from personal experience, or do you also draw from imagination?
Ah, well, this is what I refer to as artistic licence! My writing comes from experiences and interactions of life and with people. I have a very vivid and romantic imagination, which comes in handy. I think my answer may be suitably vague!?
Is there a particular piece in the collection that felt especially meaningful or difficult to write?
I think writing about experiences you hoped were positives for the future, which turned out to be unsuccessful, is always hard to reflect upon and keep within a publication. However, I tell myself each part of life is a chapter; I hope that one chapter will become an epic read forever, one day. Writing about neurodiversity, bereavement, trauma, and relationships evokes very strong emotions and can often lead to my eyes leaking.
Your work has a strong emotional rhythm. Do you have a particular writing process or creative routine that helps you tap into that space?
My writing process is not exact; however, it seems to follow its own natural path. When my mind is inspired or deeply connected with an emotion, the words often flow in triple poems. Key words, smells, colours, intimacy, being around people or sitting in solitude can trigger the creative process. I love visiting Whitby; I go twice yearly, and it has become a very spiritual place for me and my writing. Whitby is my reflective and creative space; the words naturally flow there, for now. Nothing is ever certain in life, but Whitby is special to me, that’s for sure.
The short stories have a different tone and texture from the poems. How do you shift between those two forms as a writer?
When I am writing the short stories, these are very much written from my ‘child’ memory bank, and I have tried to keep within the moment in each story to help them come to life. At the point of writing a story, my brain goes into another zone, to be honest; it’s as if I am back in Bradford reliving the moment, which is a complete contrast to my poetry.
This book has a strong sense of quiet empowerment – do you think writing helped you reconnect with your own inner voice?
Most emphatically YES! I have said before that my writing has saved me from the depths of despair. What I have found now is that the creative me is an essential part of my inner self-development and voice. I cannot imagine not being a creative person. It makes me realise for years I was not being true to myself, and I was trapped within a world that was not for me. I like to think I have a respectable balance of the things I need in life to be the best I can be as a human being.
Outside of writing, what brings you peace or helps you reconnect with yourself creatively or emotionally?
The utter adoration and love for my children are my grounding. Love is a special part of life; finding a special person to share that with, in addition to my children, is the love I have been looking for all my life.
Where can readers follow your journey or connect with you to hear more about your writing?
Well, book 3 is already being penned as the end of 2025 closes in and the bright, beautiful and exciting future lies ahead of me. Readers can follow my journey to LOVE on the following platforms:
FB: Shewearsherheartonhersleeve
IG: @amandacrundallpoet
Substack: https://substack.com/@amandacrundall?
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