Gut Love
A novel
Arlena
Beta Reader from Utah
“This is instant Bestseller level right here. This novel is eye-opening in that it has helped me remember the things I love in life, and how I've let those things slip by the wayside because of the expectations forced onto me as a mother and just a woman in general living in Utah. Thank you for that. I love to dance and I don't do enough of that. I love to travel, and, again, don't do enough of it. In fact, I just spoke to my husband about traveling and we are getting ready to plan a trip. All thanks to you reminding me to LIVE life and to love. That is literally what life is all about.”
​Ellen
Beta Reader from New York
“I salute you for having the courage to sit down and write such a soul-baring narrative, and not glossing over the bad parts. I did so many stupid and awful things when I was that age, and I don't think I would ever have the guts to put them down on paper. But it's so important that somebody talks about this stuff."
Cassie
Beta Reader from Utah
“I picked this book up in the middle of the night in between helping my sick kids, and for the next two days I couldn’t put it down. Amanda skilfully welcomes us into her world and shares adventures in a way that feels like the best fiction novels, which makes it that much more amazing that everything in this book actually happened. I experienced the emotions and relationships of this book so deeply it’s as if I know the characters personally. This book is a wonderful display of skilled craftsmanship from a woman who has countless unique stories and vulnerable lessons to share.”
Why I wrote a memoir
Everyone has a story to tell—the moments that shape us, the failures, triumphs, heartbreaks, and the paths to self-acceptance. Yet, we only hear from those willing to share their journey, those who have mastered the art of storytelling to captivate and inspire.
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I am a storyteller. My professional life in communications revolves around crafting articles, reports, and proposals. I take complex ideas and organize them into narratives that are accessible and engaging, whether building campaigns, drafting documents, or translating intricate concepts for institutions and organizations.
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But now, it’s time to write for myself.
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Gut Love is a personal project I’ve dedicated the past few years to—a memoir that captures a decade of my life’s adventures, organized into a full-length narrative non-fiction. Initially, I thought it would be a romcom—a lighthearted tale about a time when I loved three men at the same time: a diplomat wanting a restart, a motorcycle hunk who brought butterflies to my stomach, and a passionate Argentine, my first love, waiting to reconnect after a decade apart. But as I poured my heart onto the pages, I realized this story goes deeper. It’s about confronting female guilt, an international journey of learning to listen to my own gut—freeing it from guilt (and parasites) to finally hear it clearly.
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I’m in the process of self-publishing Gut Love to bring this story to readers in its most genuine form. I look forward to sharing updates on this journey here and on my social channels—stay tuned!
Synopsis
This 107,000-word novel covers one woman’s international quest to finding guilt-free love (and intestinal health). Amanda is a culprit of the ‘female sorry culture,’ rooted in a patriarchal, religious upbringing. When a homeless man questions her beliefs, the box of possibilities opens, taking the reader on an insightful, decade-long journey to finding love and self-acceptance while shedding female guilt along the way. First swallowed in fiery passion in Argentina, she later learns the dance of mania in Thailand but is soon grounded to gut-wrenching shame while navigating poverty and privilege in Ethiopia. In the end, she learns how to clean the gut of guilt so it can be heard, so that ‘listening to the gut’ can take form.
Chapter breakdown
My writing style is intense and emotional, designed to pull readers in with gripping build-ups that lead to powerful releases. Each of the four sections builds its own narrative arc, with chapters crafted as standalone stories that connect to the greater journey. Below, you’ll find the section and chapter titles, with samples available upon request.
Dive Deeper
Curious to learn more about the experiences that shaped Gut Love? Visit my blog, Reflections & Essays, where I share more personal stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the journey of writing this memoir. Whether it's reflections on storytelling, life lessons from my international travels, or thoughts on the process of self-publishing, you'll find a rich collection of essays that continue the conversation beyond the pages of the book.
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Join me on this journey and explore the ideas and inspirations that fuel my writing.