Amber Medland is here to tell us about what it’s like to be in an anthology with George Saunders, overcoming writers block, and telling us whether it’s magic or mechanics that makes a story. Amber has been collated in one of the most select short story anthologies likely to hit the shelves this year. Magic and Mechanics (Scratch Books) features some of the most talented short story writers short stories alongside interviews about those stories. The anthology about the art and craft of the short story features writers such as George Saunders, Claire-Louise Bennett, Mark Haddon, Camilla Grudova, and Colin Barrett.  Amber tells me about her story, Mr Blythe Esq.  Amber’s debut novel, WILD PETS, was published by Faber and Faber, and her book of non-fiction, ATTENTION SEEKER:THE TRUTH ABOUT ADHD, her exploration of the history of ADHD, was published by Dialogue Books. She has an MFA from Columbia University.  Links to heighting your Rippling Pages Experience Tickets to me in conversation with Alice Hattrick.  https://www.leedslitfest.co.uk/events/alice-hattrick-fancy-work/ Get exclusive subscriber benefits from the Rippling Pages.  https://patreon.com/RipplingPagesPod?utm_medi Check out the Rippling Pages Bookshop and buy all the books featured on the Rippling Pages: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/ripplingpagespod Interested in hosting your own podcast? Follow this link and find out how: https://www.podbean.com/ripplingpages  2.20 – what's it like being in the anthology with George Saunders 4.05 – is writing magic more mechanics? 6.10 – what is Amber's story about? 8.30 – the relationship between the two 10.00 – what is left out of a story? 12.50 – who is Mr Blythe? 14.15  – Power dynamics and musicality 17.30 – sentences on the ear  20.10 – taking creative writing MFAs 21.55 – writer's block 26.00 – Taking the weight from writing. 27.38 – Rippling Pages Bookshop 28.40 – what does it mean to have confidence as a writer. 33.00 – food in Amber's writing. 35.00 – Amber writing about ADHD 39.55 – writing about attentiveness Referenc Points Writers Claire-Louise Bennett Lucy Caldwell  George Saunders Joy Williams  Films Fantasia  Musicians Harry Styles