Lydias Charm author Wanda E. Brunstetter touring Thurs., Sept. 23rd
Visit Wanda E. Brunstetter at www.WandaBrunstetter.com
It’s plain and simple: The Amish inspirational is one of the fastest-growing genres in romance publishing. For many readers today, it’s all about the bonnet. In our sex-soaked society, nothing seems to inflame the imagination quite like the chaste. USA Today, August 9, 2010
Amish fiction right now is HOT, HOT, HOT!!!
Amongst authors of the Amish fiction phenomenon, there are few as popular and respected as Wanda E. Brunstetter, who is known for her impeccable portrayal of the Amish people, their faith, and their culture.
Recently featured in a USA Today article (http://tiny.cc/tjmdd) on the increasing popularity of Amish romantic fiction, Wanda is applauded for her ability to create authentic Amish characters who fall in love while grappling with religious taboos and forbidden temptations. Your listeners will have the chance to fall in love with Wandas latest novel, Lydias Charm (ISBN 978-1-60260-063-8; Sept. 2010; Barbour), during her upcoming MDRT
Suggested Interview Questions for Wanda E. Brunstetter,
Author of Lydias Charm
1. Wanda, why do you feel Amish fiction is so popular?
A. I believe Amish fiction is popular because in our fast-paced, modern world, most people are seeking to slow down and find meaning in relationships rather than things. There are many things we can learn from the Amish way of life and then incorporate into our own way of living. One of those is strengthening family ties and spending more time in prayer and meditation, which strengthens our faith in God.
2. Tells us about your own family background that inspired you to write Lydias Charm and other Amish novels.
A. My great-great-great grandparents were Dutch Quakers, which is part of the Anabaptist faith. Also, my husband grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania, and we have many Amish friends in several Amish communities across the country.
3. You are known for your accuracy in portraying the Amish community and its culture. How did you conduct your research for your latest novel, Lydias Charm, and your other Amish stories?
A. Whenever I get ready to write a new book or series, I always visit the area Ill be writing about and get to know the people. Since my husband and I have many Amish friends Im able to get first-hand information about their way of life.
4. What can someone who is not Amish learn from your books about the Amish and their simpler way of life?
A. I try to depict the Amish as close to the way they live as possible. Someone reading my books will not only learn about the various customs of the Amish, but they will learn that the Amish are like us in many ways, and that they experience the same kind of feelings as we do when faced with trails and temptations. I hope my readers will also learn to incorporate some of the Amish ways into their own lives.
5. There are strong faith themes throughout your novels. How important is faith to the Amish and why?
A. Belief and faith in God is the foundation of the Amish way of life and their Anabaptist faith. Everything they do stems from their desire to please God and set an example of meekness and serving others.
6. Tell us about an Amish custom you find intriguing or unusual.
A. One custom the Amish observe is foot washing. They do this because the Bible tells us that Jesus washed His disciples feet, and it shows humbleness and a willingness to serve others.
7. Do the Amish celebrate special occasions, like birthdays or weddings? How are they similar to non-Amish celebrations? How are they different?
A. The Amish celebrate birthdays, Christmas, weddings, and other holidays and special occasions, just as we Englishers do, but in a little different way. At Christmastime they exchange gifts and share a family meal, but there are no decorated trees in the house or colored lights. Birthdays are often celebrated with an evening out at a restaurant or a party or supper in someones home. Amish weddings are similar to their 3-hour church services, with the addition of the vows exchanged by the bride and groom.
8. One thing non-Amish people criticize about the Amish is that their children, like those portrayed in Lydias Charm, only go to school until the 8th grade. What do you think about this, from a non-Amish perspective?
A. My husband and I have visited a lot of Amish schools and met many Amish teachers. From my observation, Amish children are taught well, and by the time they graduate from the 8th grade they have an education equivalent to a 12th grade education in an English school.
9. In Lydias Charm, Lydia and her mother are struggling to make financial ends meet. In a recession, what can we learn from the Amish about saving money that might be helpful?
A. The Amish save money by growing a lot of their own food. They dont spend money on luxury items, and since their clothes are simple and plain, they dont have an extensive wardrobe of shoes or clothes.
10. Youve written some non-Amish books as well. Tell us about these.
A. Besides writing about the Amish, I also enjoy writing some historical novels. My recent series, The Brides of Lehigh Canal, is set on the Lehigh Canal, near Easton, PA, which is where my husband grew up. It was fun for me to research the three books that make up this series, since I was able to see some places where my husband had played and swam in the Lehigh Canal.
11. Whats next for you, Wanda, writing-wise?
A. Besides Lydias Charm, which released in Sept., I have an Amish-themed devotional, A Celebration of the Simple Life, coming out in November, as well as a historical novel, Sarahs Choice, coming out in December. Im currently working on Book 1 in my Kentucky Brothers Amish-themed series, which will release in April 2011.
12. Where can someone purchase a copy of Lydias Charm?
A. The book will be available at any Christian or mainstream bookstore, as well as online at places like amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and christianbook.com. You can learn more about all of my books by visiting my website at www.wandabrunstetter.com, or my publishers website at www.barbourbooks.com