“The Breaking and Deliverance of a Kommandant” and the Lizzie’s Journey series, “Time to Lose”, “Time to Gain”, and “Time to Keep”.

About 5 years ago the idea of the “Kommandant” went through my head. It was a heavy focus, and I had no relief until I started writing!

I’ve self-published. After months of researching and many rough drafts of writing a query, I became discouraged and frustrated. Deep inside I knew I had a good story to tell. I decided not to let a high-powered agent hold my writing future in their hands as to whether my stories were “worthy”, would sell, etc., or have any value.

No person starts out as a perfect writer. There are many “nuts and bolts” to put together and one learns along the way. However, there must be real and compelling characters and action to make a story come alive.

In the last book “Time to Keep” Lizzie’s Amish sister-in-law is dying, and her final wish is to have Lizzie and Jack adopt her soon-to-be-born baby. Lizzie’s brother agrees, though grudgingly as Lizzie and Jack are not Amish. Sister-in-law Ellie has a surprising reason for this. All in all, a rather shocking occurrence.

There’s so many! Edward Rutherfurd is so good at descriptive narratives and history. Daniel Silva for action and nail-biting scenes. C.S Lewis, because his characters show illustrative concepts of the Bible.

What we read and what we view influences our thinking. It can be inspiring to help us do good or keep us contentious, negative and self-centered. I have a Christian worldview, so I hope what I write encourages people to have hope and peace.

“The Color Of Water” by James McBride The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is a series of novels by Alexander McCall Smith “The Magic of Ordinary Days”, based on a novel of the same name by Ann Howard Creel.

I think I have learned to show more of the character’s POV, especially in emotions and thought processes.

I had a fan recently say. “I love Lizzie, I want to be her friend and hug her!” That reader was there!

I think technology and digital platforms are super for marketing. However, I’m older and have adapted slowly, and need lots of help. So much weird stuff to learn!

I grew up relatively alone with no friends close by, so I spent a lot of time outside, in the woods and fields with my dog Punchie. I had lots of imaginary friends. We had great conversations and Punchie always agreed with me! I have an enduring connection with nature. In family gatherings, I made myself “unobtrusive”, observed, and listened a lot. Years later, I’ve found this a very valuable trait.

Just start writing out ideas. All the “polishing” can be done later. Always think of putting your readers INTO the scenes.

Find a writer’s group big or small to bounce ideas off, and also for encouragement. Writers don’t compete because there are so many different and amazing ideas!

What is the general idea of the story? Who is the protagonist, and antagonist? What is the end goal of the main character? What happens for them to get there? How will it end?

Walk away! Go outside if the weather is nice. Do housework!

I need at least a 2-hour block of uninterrupted time. I always play classical music or instrumentals without singing.

Obviously to sell books, make stories readable, but most importantly have an inspiring message.

I like to put a different perspective, not the common view to my stories. Lizzie’s Journey touches on the Amish however I do not present an idealist view. I want to
step back to the origins of their Anabaptist history to shed light on what they do. I dislike getting bogged down in the minutia of rules.

This is not a day-to-day story of the Amish. It is not a romance. But it is a love story, the love of Lizzie’s surrogate parents, her loyal friends, and the love of a fine man who shows her the love of Jesus.
Growing up on a farm in Pennsylvania we had Amish hired hands. I listened and thought a lot about what they said. I never found the Amish captivating or odd, they
just were there. In these books, I try to portray the Anabaptist worldview. My Mennonite ancestry and upbringing along with studies on the Anabaptist tradition
give me a unique perspective on why Amish do what they do. I hope these books give a glimpse of many sound Biblical principles of the very old Anabaptist practices of both Mennonites and Amish.
Lizzie’s anger and rebellion over the burden of Amish rules change when she learns more about the gospel of saving Grace. Now she starts her new life along with the numerous sound virtues of her upbringing.