Back to the Beginning

Welcome to my little space on the big, world wide web! I suppose I should start by introducing myself. I am Amy Janece, a long-time freelance writer who finally got the nerve to complete a novel and share it with the world. 

When I’ve outlined the idea for my first series to others, they often asked how I came up with this idea. So, I’ll start there.

Many moons ago I began writing a novel about a woman named Shyla Jones. I nearly completed it, halfway on paper and completely in my head, but put it aside due to the happenings of life. And my insecurities, if I’m being completely honest and transparent.

When I’m writing I’m sharing a bit of the shenanigans that are playing out in my mind, so it’s an incredibly intimate thing to actually allow others to read and take part in the stories that are unfolding in my imagination. The fear of being judged or ridiculed ranked high for me.

A couple of summers ago I was driving Rideshare and talking with a good friend of mine in between rides. It was the middle of the night and we had gaps with no customers. I was reminiscing about my childhood dreams of being an author and told him I think it’s time that I found my transcript, dusted it off, and finished it. He simply asked, “why don’t you?”

About an hour later, after a couple of quiet rides that let my vivid imagination take over, I shared the thoughts of a new character. I asked him what he thought about a Rideshare driver that did X, Y, and Z. He said, “that’s a great idea. Why don’t you write it?”

After a few more rides and some more wild thoughts floating through my skull, I came up with another idea. I asked him what about a passenger who had (this) issue? Again, he encouraged me. “Go for it.”

Towards the end of the night I had another, far more ridiculous idea. I started getting excited at the thought of a web of smaller stories that grew into a larger one and included all three of these characters who were becoming increasingly familiar to me in my thoughts. And like any true friend, he again encouraged me. 

Because the two of us seem to get about 90% crazier rides than any other driver either of us have talked to, we kept swapping stories and including new ones brought in by other friends who drive or other drivers we get to meet when we’re working. 

The books are fiction, though a large part of the rides in The Rideshare Chronicles are based on real-life rides that me, my friends, or other drivers have taken. There are some details that were greatly embellished for entertainment purposes, but I’d like to welcome you to a small taste of the Rideshare life.

For those old enough, think back to the show “Taxicab Confessions.” This is the modern version where you get to read about the interesting things people do and say when they have the misconception that they’ll never see you or talk to you again. Most people would be surprised about the things people do and say in our cars. 

While there is some truth to the rides, the story in itself was born in my imagination. Scott is a made up character who has parts of myself and people I know, but who is his own man. I do not agree with or even like a lot of the things he says and does, and you probably won’t either if I’m being practical. Nonetheless, I do hope that you will enjoy reading about his journey.