Suzanne, I admire your writing and enjoy reading your books immensely.
I imagine your newest novel Anna’s Crossing required a great deal of digging, studying, and research. Any stories you can share about that process?
Here’s one I think you’ll appreciate: I wrote back and forth with an Amish historian (who is, indeed, Old Order Amish. No phone calls or e-mail! A rather slow process). This gentleman has been a wonderful resource for me on a number of occasions, but it always takes a few letters to butter him up. The first letter I write is usually responded to with a terse, no-nonsense reply. It’s hard to miss his subtext: Why are you writing about my people? Nevertheless, I persevered and continued to write to him with questions. The second letter I received had a kinder tone, a little more chatty, and the third letter provided me with the historical info I was after.
Suzanne, Booklist gave Anna’s Crossing a glowing review, calling it a deeply satisfying story. It also said the novel revealed the “raw immigration experience about this treacherous journey.” Care to explain?
Crossing the Atlantic in the 18th century was incredibly difficult and dangerous. And I left out most of the more gruesome, gritty details!
Such as?
Such as…twenty-four passengers (mostly children) died on that Charming Nancy ship crossing in 1737. Such as…four children from one family. Living in the lower deck for eight to ten weeks in overcrowded conditions must have been horrific: dirty, smelly, dark and dim. Here’s an historical detail that might offend some, and I didn’t include it in the novel, but it was a fact: Placed around the lower deck were open vats of collected urine to fight fires. Oh…the smells the passengers had to endure must have been ghastly.
Suzanne, you must have gathered a lot of excess historical info that you didn’t use in the book. How did you decide what to include in the novel and what to dismiss?
Whenever I found myself following a bunny trail of historical detail, I had to remind myself about the theme of the book. There was a bigger story to write about than the perils of an 18th century ocean crossing: Why the Amish left Europe, what they were hoping to find in the New World, and what gave these brave believers the inner steel to endure the journey. I kept that theme as a plumb line and it helped me stay on track.
Any surprising discoveries as you wrote Anna’s Crossing?
One lovely detail arrived just in time—it came from a true story that I had been working on for a non-fiction book (Heart of the Amish). Bairn, the Scottish ship’s carpenter, a dashing and honorable fellow who had developed quite an attraction to Anna, happened to have a red Mutza (an Amish man’s coat) in his sea chest. I won’t spoil the story for you, but let’s just say—that red Mutza has quite a story of its own to tell.
I can’t wait to read it, Suzanne. Amish fiction is filled with reminders that a reader is crossing into another world. But most of Anna’s Crossing takes place on a ship. How did you make it an Amish story?
Excellent point! Ninety-nine percent of this novel is set on a creaky, old, wooden 18th century merchant ship. No buggies, no horses, no farmland. So how could I remind readers that Anna and the other passengers were Amish?
I had to go deeper. What made these people unique wasn’t bonnets or buggies or beards, but their response to injustice and their deep belief in the sovereignty of God.
How did you portray that?
Mostly, through Anna’s reactions to crises on the journey, especially in contrast to the secular ship’s officers. Here’s one example: The Charming Nancy encountered a slave ship desperate for water. The captain of the Charming Nancy refused to share water—it was his responsibility to ensure that his crew made it safely to Port Philadelphia, and as many passengers as possible (though fare was required to be paid in full whether they survived or not). Anna intervened. She convinced her church to share half their water with the slave ship. They trusted God—not the captain of the Charming Nancy—to supply their needs, even though there was not a cloud in the sky. Still, the rain did not come.
Is there a love story in Anna’s Crossing?
Absolutely! Bairn, the Scottish ship’s carpenter, was the very unlikely love interest for Anna. Rather than say too much, I’m going to quote one reviewer: “The ending was not predictable –While I couldn’t imagine Bairn, the ship’s carpenter, becoming Amish and neither could I see Anna leaving her life. Given their feelings for each other, one or the other would have to have a change of heart; that much was clear. I was taken completely by surprise with how the story unfolded.”
Suzanne, after writing an historical novel, any advice for aspiring authors?
Research is powerful for a writer of fiction. The right amount can set your story apart, give it a realistic tone, convince your readers to believe in you. But too much detail can bog down your story (just ask my editor). The goal is to provide just enough information to reveal your expertise on the subject…and stop there. Never forget you’re writing a story.
What impact do you hope Anna’s Crossing will have on a reader?
Most all of us have a link to an ancestor who crossed the ocean in hopes of a better life. I don’t know if our ancestors were incredibly brave or cock-eyed optimists—because the odds of surviving an ocean voyage, especially in the 18th century, were dismal. And yet, that didn’t deter them. They came! Readers who don’t even like a ride in a motorboat will appreciate what their great-great grandparents endured.
Suzanne, what’s up next for you?
The Heart of the Amish is a non-fiction book that will release in early May. There’s a word that keeps coming up in its early reviews: powerful. As I researched and wrote the topic, I found myself changed, very convicted by the example of the Amish to practice intentional forgiveness. But it’s not an exclusively Amish value. Intentional forgiveness comes from Jesus, described in the Lord’s Prayer. The Amish just seemed to be paying closer attention to it.
Thanks for letting me drop by your blog!
And thank you, Suzanne, for offering a free signed copy of Anna’s Crossing to a reader who leaves a comment! USA only. Winner has three days to respond.
Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Bio
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of ‘The Stoney Ridge Seasons’ and ‘The Lancaster County Secrets’ series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is a Christy award finalist and a Carol award winner. Her interest in the Anabaptist culture can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne hosts the blog Amish Wisdom, and has a free downloadable app, , that delivers a daily Penn Dutch proverb to your smart phone. She lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can find Suzanne on-line at http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/. She loves to hear from readers!
Love your books and love to read Anna’s Crossing!!
Blessings
Diana
Hi Diana! Thank you for dropping by and leaving a comment. Hope you get a chance to win! XO Suzanne
You have me intriqued … a must read!
Thanks for writing, Judy! I’m looking forward to reading Suzanne’s newest myself.
Your books are all excellent. Whoever wins will be very lucky!
Blessings,
Sonja
Hi Sonja! Thank you! Hope you get a chance to read the book. XO Suzanne
Would love to read and review this. Suzanne is a great writer.
HI Mary! Wow…your comment meant more to me than you might imagine. So appreciative of those encouraging words. XO Suzanne
You have me intriqued…a must read
Hi Judy! Thanks for saying that…so glad! That was just my intention..to whet a reader’s appetite. XO Suzanne
Love to read Amish books would love to win a copy .Thank you ,DanaGirl
Good luck, Dana!
Would love to win copy love to read Amish books .Thank you ,DanaGirl
Hi DanaGirl! Good luck…hope you win! Warmly, Suzanne
Amish fiction kept me happy when everything else in my life fell apart. Thank you for the love in the books and restoring faith in man kind. The best part of the interview is the inside scoop of the information, the hows and whys.
Hi there, Sparkle! Thanks so much for leaving your thoughtful words. You’re such a sweetheart! XO Suzanne
I would love to win your book. I love reading Amish books. They are so relaxing and brings you into the realm of times past. Can’t wait. Love the both of you. Thanks for allowing me to be a participant.
Hi Barbara–Your insights are very similar to what some research found out about why Amish fiction readers love the books. They have a devotional quality to them! Hope you get a chance to read my book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Warmly, Suzanne
Would love to read Anna’s Crossing.
I haven’t had a chance to read many of your books yet!
Hi Liz! Oh, I hope you give me a try! Maybe…with “Anna’s Crossing.” Good luck winning the book! Suzanne
I have loved all your books that I have read so far Suzanne. I haven’t read Anna’s Crossing yet. So want to read it! Keep up the wonderful writing!
Why, hello there, Cheryl! Loved seeing your name here today! Thank you for being such a faithful supporter. XO Suzanne
Would love to win and read Anna’s Crossing. Thanks for a chance at winning it.
Thank you, dear Juanita! Hope you get a chance to read the novel. I think you’d like Felix, a little boy (a star!) in the story. XO Suzanne
Would love to read “Anna’s Crossing”. Suzanne sent me postcards to send to my friends about this book being published and I sent them all out. I hope it is a best seller and thank you for the chance to win a copy. Have a blessed day.
Hi Deborah! I am SO appreciative that you sent out those postcards. It’s a huge help to me! Really spreads the word. Thank you for your gift of time. Hope you win a copy of the book! XO Suzanne
I would love to read this new story. Suzanne never disappoints!
HI dear Debbie! Thanks for your kind and encouraging words! Grateful for you….XO Suzanne
It is so nice to see another contest with a book written by a wonderful novelist. I love Suzanne’s novels and just finished one of my favorite books: The keeper. It was excellent! I appreciate all the research Suzanne had to go through for this book and would relish and love to “keep” and share an AUTOGRAPHED copy of this book. Hoping to win and thanks for the contest.
flowersmarylou85@gmail.com
Hi Mary Lou! Thank you for such encouraging words! I’m so glad you liked “The Keeper.” In fact, this morning is Sunday, and I’ll be sitting near the man who inspired the character of Amos Lapp (heart transplant). Will think of you! ~Warmly, Suzanne
Anna’s Crossing sounds like a great read, as I love Amish stories. Blessings.
I would love to win Anna’s Crossing. Thanks.
Hi Priscilla! Hope you win a copy! XO Suzanne
Would love to win and read this book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Hi Karen G. Hope you win a copy! Suzanne
Can’t wait to read this one! If I should win it, I’ll donate to my little rural branch library so other folks will enjoy it.
Here’s a familiar name! Thank you, Ola, for sharing books with your library! Love that! Warmly, Suzanne
Would love to read this book. Love Amish books.
Hi Rebecca! If you like Amish fiction, I hope you’ll give my books a try! Warmly, Suzanne
Would love to add this book to my collection 🙂
Hi Carla! Hope you win a copy of the book. Thanks for taking a moment to comment! Suzanne
Oh my this sounds like a book I want to read! I just sent out postcards to my friends about this book that Suzanne gave me! I would love to win it of course instead of buying! But it will definitely be in my TBR stack of books!
Thank you so much, Brenda, for mailing out those postcards. Hugely helpful!!! It really is. Good luck with the giveaway! Hope you win. Warmly, Suzanne
I first heard of this book when Suzanne asked for people to send out 10 postcards to their friends and family. I did just that & read the excerpts from Anna’s diary she shared on Facebook. From all that, I was pretty excited about reading this myself! Would love to see a copy of this on my bookshelf, thank you for the chance to win
one!
Hi Trixi! Thank you again for sending out those postcards…you’d be amazed at how helpful that action is! I didn’t realize that was the first you’d heard of me…how kind of you to go that extra step to help spread the word! I remember your name because I know a little girl named Trixi. Full name: Beatrix. I wondered if that was your name, too, and if Trixi is a nickname. Hope you get a chance to read my story! Warmly, Suzanne
Hello Kate and Suzanne. Another good Amish book. and, Suzanne is one of the best at writing them. That was horrible what people had to put up with to come to America. Poor people to have that smell to deal with. Enough to make one die. No wonder so many didn’t make it. I was thinking of dropping a bucket overboard and getting water, but guess couldn’t for the salt. But, tho’t Urine has salt too. I love the cover too. Sure hope to win this one. Thanks for a chance. Maxie
HI there, dear Maxie! Hope you win this book! You’re such a faithful reader to your special authors. We appreciate you! XO Suzanne
the cover looks so inviting to pick up and read. Love to get your book. What a wonderful Author you are. Love your books. I buy them has soon has I can.
Hi Tammy! Such kind words to read on this gray morning. Thank you!! Means more to me than you might think. XO Suzanne
Anna’s Crossing sounds like a very good Amish read. Look forward to reading!
HI Tiffany! It’s one of my favorite books that I’ve written. Maybe because of the historical aspect (I love history and learning about life in another time period), maybe because of the characters. They sort of took over the book. 🙂 Hope you’ll get a chance to read it! Warmly, Suzanne
Can’t wait to read Suzanne’s new book! Thanks for the giveaway!
Hi Rita! Grateful you stopped by to say hello! Good luck with the giveaway. Warmly, Suzanne
I have been reading such good reviews about your book.. I definitely want to read this.. Your next book sounds wonderful too. Thanks for gifting a copy !
Deanna
Thanks, Deanna, for your encouraging words! Hope you win a copy! Warmly, Suzanne
If I win this book, I will be making a trip to the Russell Stover Outlet to celebrate.
Hi Janet! Thanks for taking a moment out of your day to give me a big smile. And a craving for chocolate, too! Goodness…it’s only 7am. XO Suzanne
Hi Kate, Thank you for featuring Suzanne .
Suzanne , Your book looks great and I hope to read it soon. Thank you for all the background info that was used in your book, it was very interesting to read of the hardships they had endured.
Congratulations on your book and I will look forward to reading Anna’s Crossing and your next one also.
I was delighted to have Suzanne visit my blog, Jackie! She is a fine author and researches her material thoroughly. Thanks for writing!
Hi Jackie! Love seeing another familiar name! Thanks for taking time to read the interview…and to leave a comment, too. Warmly, Suzanne
I learned more about Suzanne after getting the postcards to mail out. Both of you are awesome people, and because of you I want to learn more about the Amish people. One of my nieces absolutely loves reading Amish books.
You are very kind, Linda! Thanks for your words of encouragement for both Suzanne and me. Hurray for your niece. I can tell she has a wonderful aunt!
Hi Linda! So funny…I was just thinking of you! I met another Linda White this week from your home state. Small world! Thank you again for sending out those postcards. XO Suzanne
This sounds like a great book! I hope to read it soon.
I’m looking forward to reading Suzanne’s newest book too, Kathy! It’s sure to be a bestseller. Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. Good luck in the book giveaway!
Hi Kathy! Hope you get a chance to read it. Thanks for the kind words! ~Suzanne
Looking forward to reading this book. hoping I can add it to my collection of Amish books. Good luck everyone!!!
I hope you can add Suzanne’s new book to your Amish collection too, Carla! You are very kind to wish everyone good luck, so now I’ll wish you the best of luck! Thanks for writing!
Me too, Carla! Thanks for taking a moment to comment. Warmly, Suzanne
Suzanne, you keep popping up online today . . . and just as I’m getting to read Anna’s Crossing. Loved the story. Love the background and extra information. Thanks so much for sharing with us, your readers!
Anna’s Crossing is sitting by my bed, awaiting its turn, Pam! Can’t wait as I am a huge Suzanne Woods Fisher fan. I can always count on her to deliver excellent writing and research. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Thanks, Pam! Release week for “Anna’s Crossing” meant a lot of interviews! Very grateful for each one. Thanks for being such a support. I appreciate you! XO Suzanne
Kate, just as I was finishing reading Anna’s Crossing, I was wishing I had time to do an interview with Suzanne about the story. And then a link to this blog post came up and I found that you had touched on most of what I would like to ask.
I hope you don’t mind that I mentioned your interview and linked to it in my review: http://southerngallovestoread.blogspot.com/2015/03/amish-beginnings-annas-crossing.html
I am dying to read this book. rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net
This sounds like a very interesting book. I love reading Amish books. I will be adding this to my wish list. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and reading Suzanne’s excellent post, Kaylee. She is so entertaining and knowledgeable. Good luck in the giveaway!
Hi Kaylee! Thanks for reading the interview and leaving a comment. Always nice to meet a new face! Suzanne
It looks like an excellent book
Thank you, Becky! Hope you get a chance to read it!