The Rhythm of a Creative Life: Music, Motherhood, & Stories from the Midwest with Amanda Wen (E192)
In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Amanda Wen. Amanda Wen’s novels have released to both reader and critical acclaim. Her second novel, The Songs That Could Have Been, won both the Selah and the Carol Awards, and her debut, Roots of Wood and Stone, was a finalist for the Christy Award. In addition to her writing, Amanda is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team, as well as serving as a choral accompanist. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Amanda currently lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat. Today we are here today to discuss her latest novel, Echoes of a Silent Song.
Episode Highlights:
Life in the flatlands of the Midwest and how place shapes story.
The setting and inspiration behind the next book in her Melodies and Memories duology.
Balancing full-time creative work as a musician, writer, wife, and mom.
How Amanda realistically fits writing into a very full life.
Why kids are often unintentionally funnier than adults.
The way music and writing inform and strengthen each other.
Research fears, perfectionism, and the pressure of getting details right.
A deeper look at Echoes of a Silent Song and the heart behind the story.
Amanda also shares a book flight featuring novels about musicians across different genres of music—perfect for readers who love stories where art and storytelling intertwine.
Connect with Amanda:
Show Notes
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Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
O Little Town by Amanda Wen, Janyre Tromp, Deborah Raney
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold
When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner (Hear more on Ep. 161)
The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sara Brunsvold (Hear more on Ep. 154)
Book Flight
The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano
Everything is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels
A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander
The 2026 Bookish Flights Reading Challenge is here—a simple, nostalgic way to be intentional with your reading. One book per month, with options for individuals and families. Download it at https://www.bookishflights.com/read/2026readingchallenge
