Acutely Amanda: Fiction, Folklore, and Fiber Arts

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🎙️ Welcome to Acutely Amanda—a podcast where storytelling and creativity intertwine! Whether through fiction, folklore, or fiber arts, each season explores the magic of words and the history behind handmade crafts. 🔹 Odd-numbered seasons feature short stories, microfiction, and deep dives into the craft of writing. 🔹 Even-numbered seasons focus on fiber arts and DIY projects, uncovering their cultural and historical roots. If you love great stories, creative expression, and learning something new, you’re in the right place. New episodes every Tuesday! Subscribe and join the journey. ✨

  1. Feb 24

    Crafting My Procrastinations - Metal Earth Model Assembly

    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 Metal Earth assembly process 📜 The fascinating history of model making—from 6000 BC to modern 3D printing Whether you're curious about model kits or just love watching something come together, this episode blends reflection, storytelling, and one historically inaccurate airplane. 📚 Read more about modeling materials:https://www.robotimeonline.com/blogs/all-blogs/learn-about-the-materials-used-in-miniatures-and-models Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

    10 min

  2. 10/07/2025

    Upcycling a Dress into a Shirred Skirt for Fall

    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 the project step-by-step, from cutting apart the dress to the final result. Then we’ll dive into the history of shirring - from how it helped shape clothing before stretch fabrics existed to how it became a staple of modern cottagecore fashion. Whether you’re curious about upcycling or just love watching creative projects come to life, this episode blends hands-on sewing, fiber history, and one very autumnal piece of fabric.Image of shirred dress: SWANClothing on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/barbietron/3522962565/ Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

    8 min

  3. 09/09/2025

    Bigfoot Speaks from Leominster (Urban Fantasy Short Story)

    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 short stories from my Tova Gallagher urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, Finding Song in Leominster State Forest, introduces a brand-new character coming up in Book 2. This story blends local legend with themes of loneliness, complexity, and the stories we tell to protect ourselves. After the story, I’ll share how my visit to Leominster State Forest and local lore research (including Monsterland by Ronny LeBlanc) shaped this character, why Bigfoot made the perfect addition to the Tova Gallagher universe, and how writing prompts can uncover hidden depth in your own fiction. Check out my full review of Monsterland: https://opinionsofawolf.com/2025/01/07/book-review-monsterland-encounters-with-ufos-bigfoot-and-orange-orbs-by-ronny-le-blanc/ Want more fiction, folklore, and fun in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

    5 min

  4. 09/02/2025

    A One-Woman Walmart Battle (Urban Fantasy Short Story)

    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 supplies? Welcome to Episode 4 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing original short stories from my Tova Gallagher urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, A One-Woman Walmart Battle, explores a parent’s complicated love, the blurred line between devotion and fear, and how even Walmart can become a battleground when demons are involved. After the story, I’ll share how my own journey—growing up in an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist environment and later becoming a progressive, queer Christian focused on social justice—inspired this character. I’ll also talk about why humor can soften even the most divisive topics, and how writing from the perspective of someone you dislike can add depth and nuance to your fiction. Want more fiction, folklore, and fun in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

    9 min

  5. 08/26/2025

    What Happens When a Vampire Gardens at Midnight? (Urban Fantasy Short Story)

    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 original short stories from my urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, What Happens When a Vampire Gardens at Midnight?, uses invasive plant removal as a metaphor for corruption, control, and the darker sides of human (and vampire) society. After the story, I’ll share how my own battle with tiger lilies inspired this scene, why vampires in my world reflect the worst parts of human politics, and how fantasy gives us the distance to see real-world truths more clearly. Want more fiction, folklore, and fun in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

    9 min

  6. 08/19/2025

    A Weekly Group for a Monthly Problem (Urban Fantasy Short Story)

    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 stories from my urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, A Weekly Group for a Monthly Problem, explores werewolfism as a metaphor for chronic illness, blending real-world support group dynamics with supernatural tension. After the story, I’ll share how this scene grew from a character backstory exercise, why peer groups are so powerful, and how metaphors in fantasy can illuminate real-life experiences. If you’re looking for peer support like I discussed in this episode, please check out intherooms.com (all genders) or sherecovers.org (women and nonbinary people). Want more fiction, folklore, and fun in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

    10 min

  7. 08/12/2025

    Demon Training 101: A Short Story of Chaos on the Charles

    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 week’s tale, Demon Training 101, brings a mix of urban fantasy mayhem, sardonic humor, and supernatural trouble on the Charles River. After the story, I’ll share behind-the-scenes insight into how I balanced creepy atmosphere with playful absurdity while expanding the Tova Gallagher universe. Want more fiction, folklore, and fun in your life? ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

    12 min

  8. 08/05/2025

    Macraméing a Fish: How One Keychain Connects Me to Sailors and Hippies

    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-step, from knotting the cord to tea-dyeing the final result. Then we’ll dive into the surprisingly radical story of macramé—from sailors passing time at sea to 1960s artists using it to reject industrial capitalism. Whether you’re curious about making your own macramé keychain or just love handmade things with a backstory, this episode blends hands-on creativity, fiber history, and one very charming fish. Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? ➡ The macrame fish tutorial from Macrame Art Tutorial (not sponsored): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNpB-zblROc ➡ Read my fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

    8 min
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About

🎙️ Welcome to Acutely Amanda—a podcast where storytelling and creativity intertwine! Whether through fiction, folklore, or fiber arts, each season explores the magic of words and the history behind handmade crafts. 🔹 Odd-numbered seasons feature short stories, microfiction, and deep dives into the craft of writing. 🔹 Even-numbered seasons focus on fiber arts and DIY projects, uncovering their cultural and historical roots. If you love great stories, creative expression, and learning something new, you’re in the right place. New episodes every Tuesday! Subscribe and join the journey. ✨

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