Recently while perusing Facebook—procrastinating instead of writing—I came across a reader’s query regarding Amish fiction. How realistic is it, she asked? Does it accurately reflect how the Amish really live? It’s a great question and one I’m sure many readers ask themselves. It’s also one I’ve longed to answer for myself as the author of… Read More
Accessibility project gave purpose to my weakness
I arrived at church recently to find a shiny new addition nestled near the stairs that lead from the sanctuary building to the education building. Since I started using a walker ninety percent of the time, I rarely look that direction because I can’t navigate the steps necessary to access the breezeway that leads to… Read More
Sunday school: It’s not just for kids
Some people like me who grew up going to church tend to think of Sunday school as something we did as kids. I have vivid memories of walking to church with my four brothers and sisters every Sunday. We’d stop and pick up the newspaper at the Arcade on our way home and buy some… Read More
Novel research leads to deeper story, insight
One of the aspects of doing research for my novels that I really love is finding a story line that hasn’t occurred to me. That’s exactly what happened when I went to Montana last summer to research my Amish of Sky Country series. I intended to write three books, each about a different Amish friend… Read More
Smoke jumper interview enriches Montana novel
One of the most challenging parts of being a novelist is writing authentically and with detail on topics about which I know nothing. It’s like being a newspaper reporter again. Which means doing my research. Readers rightly expect writers to create a fictional world based on accurate details. So I do my best and learn… Read More
Christians, love thy neighbor on social media. Please!
Recently, my Christian fiction writing group had a discussion, trying to decide if we should have a session to discuss the pros and cons of using social media as a platform for what we believe as Christians. When important social issues are discussed, should we sit on the fence, remain silent, or attempt to influence… Read More