What A Difference A Day Makes: Author Amy Jordan on the book changed her perspective

After dropping out of First Arts, a decision that hugely disappointed and shocked her parents, two impactful events happened in author Amy Jordan’s life. A chance encounter on a bus sparked a determination to forge a new path – and reading a book she calls transformative helped her re-frame past mistakes.

Marking WDDM: EE Esther McCarthy: 24/02/25: Author Amy Jordan pictured in the Marlborough Hotel, Douglas with her fourth novel, The Dark Hours which has recently been released. Picture Chani Anderson

I started First Arts at UCC in 1999. At school, I’d have been considered academic but it was through pure hard work I got good marks.

Truth be told, I wanted to write books but I thought an arts degree might be a route to secondary teaching, to a stable job. All my friends were going to UCC and my parents were delighted, fierce proud, thrilled to have a child at UCC — I’ve three younger sisters.