I find copious research is required for writing a good fiction novel. When I read a novel, I can tell if the author has put time into verifying the details. Whether it be about Great Britain or Italy, places I’ve been to often. I even lived in Rome but when I wrote From Rome with Love, I found myself checking my facts about the city and the people. And drug addiction, art theft, Mussolini, plane crashes, and more. The story takes a lot of twists and turns as did Stage Fright, the story of a woman traveling through England on a choral tour. I have visited every town she went to and studied voice for years, but I still had digging to do—which I enjoy. For me when an author doesn’t get the details right the whole story falls flat. I admit to being a picky reader.
I love the covered bridges of Lancaster County!
Now, I find myself calling friends and family in Lancaster County, PA, an area I have visited and written about often. But things are changing, and I want to paint a realistic picture.
Fun to browse in an Old Order Amish friend’s wholesale only quilt shop.
Can you guess what I’ve been writing about? But it’s too early to spill the beans. I don’t even have my cover yet and a copyeditor is about to work on a line edit. Writers can be blind to their own spelling, grammar mistakes, and unanswered questions.
A Lancaster County farm after corn harvest.
Speaking of questions, I’m working on Discussion Questions for the end of the book today. Do you find them helpful? Do you belong to a book club that might use the questions? Many of my favorite authors don’t write them. I am also including a recipe. But that will have to remain my secret for now.
Hard to resist the many snacks in Bird-in-Hand!
Can you tell how I spend my days? No wonder I have trouble sleeping. A word or idea will pop into my mind, and I don’t want to forget it. Paper and pencil are always by my bed.
For fun, a GIVEAWAY! A $100 Amazon Gift card to be used as the winner chooses. Plus a copy of either From Rome with Love or Stage Fright. Winner has three days to respond. US only unless you read Kindle.
Love Amish stories
Wonderful! So do I.
I’m excited about your upcoming book! Cant wait!!
I am excited too, Darlene! Each step in the process seems to take so long.
Thank you for the opportunity to win.
You are most welcome!
Anxious to hear/learn more about your upcoming novel. Thank you.
I am dying to tell you … !
Would love to visit Amish country. Can’t wait to hear about your new book. Blessings
I can’t wait to get back there again myself!
New book ? Oh Boy ! Cant wait …. and new giveaway….Oh Boy Too !!!
Food luck in the giveaway, Kris!
Love to enjoy our farm and animals that is my getaway especially being disabled
I would enjoy that too, Karen! I’m a homebody.
Love reading your books
Thank you for your generous words of encouragement!
I love Amish books and enjoy reading about the wonderful things and ways of the Amish and also their cooking recipes
The Amish are amazing and ingenius!
I would love to win.
Wishing you the best of luck, Candy!
Love reading your books.
I appreciate your kind words, Carol!
Thank you for the giveaway and thank you for making the entry easy peasy! If I were to win, there is no question that I would use the $ to purchase items for more Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes! OCC is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. Shoebox gifts are packed and given to kids in over 160 countries. The shoeboxes contain school supplies (many cannot go to school because there is no money to buy paper & pencils). hygiene items (first person accounts are given reporting children in orphanages ALL sharing ONE toothbrush) so we pack several. We also include a doll or a stuffed animal because these kids need something to hug and because kids are kids the world over, we include some small toys and games like Matchbox cars, balls, marbles and even some clothes. Many boxes will contain soccer balls that give hope and fun to an entire village. The best thing in the box is the Gospel…introducing kids to the God who created them & loves them dearly. They are also given an opportunity to attend a discipleship course to help them grow in their new found faith. It’s a privilege to work with Samaritan’s Purse shopping for items, filling the boxes and then praying. God always sees that the right box gets to the right child!
Thanks for entering, Linda, and for sharing about this marvelous organization.
I love your books. I also like the discussions at the end of the book. I sure hope that I win.
Sharma Darby/
Fabulous giveaway! Thanks bunches..
Thanks for the thumbs up about the questions at the end, Sharma!
I would love to win! Love your Books!
I love the quilts too…smile
Linda Marie Finn
I adore those quilts too, Linda!
One of these times the odds have to be in my favor. I would love to win your giveaway.
I would love you to win, Paula! Good luck in the giveaway.
Kate, I don’t really peruse the questions. I may skim over them to see what they are but, as you say, they are good in a book discussion but I don’t do many discussions. Many people may use them, so by all means, include them!
Thank you for this giveaway, it is very generous.
Loretta, thanks for your input about the questions at the end of the book!
I have read so many of your books.. fantastic!!!
I think you for your kind words, Rose! Music to any autor’s ears.
Love your books. Have never read A Portrait of Maggie rite but really want to as my mother’s name was Maggie rite.
Thank you! I hope you enjoyed my upcoming novel.
Sounds amazing ..thanks so much for the opportunity
I think you for your encouraging words!
Gorgeous covers, thanks! Yes, I read on Kindle.
Thanks for weighing in on Kindles, Clare! Several of my friends will read nothing else.