***This contest is closed!! Winner was announced here.
***This contest is closed!! Winner was announced here.
***U.S. Residents only, please! To enter the giveaway, you MUST READ Beth’s interview. Refer to something specific in the interview when you leave your comment! YOU MUST leave your EMAIL address in the comment, too! I need your email address to contact you if you win! If you don’t follow the rules, you won’t be entered to win!!
I’m hosting Beth Wiseman on my blog today! I’m giving away a copy of her novel, Plain Peace! Beth has kindly answered these questions:
1. What influenced you to write Amish fiction? For example, were you raised near an Amish community, or, do you have Amish friends?
When I started on this journey, I didn’t know much about being Amish. But God didn’t just open a window, He flung open large doors…and in I went. I think that when you are on the right path, things happen effortlessly, and that’s the way it was when I began learning about the Plain People. I made friends easily, was invited into their homes, and six years later, I’m blessed to have some of the Amish folks on my team, helping me keep the books authentic.
2. How long were you seeking publication before you landed your first book contract?
I know that’s an easy question, but I have a complicated answer. I thought myself to be a pretty good storyteller twenty years ago. In between running a household, holding a full-time job, and raising children, I would jump on the “I want to be published” bandwagon and write. But, I kept making the same mistake. I wasn’t studying the craft of writing. Just like a piano player must practice and learn, so must a writer. I thought good stories would carry me on to publication. In 2006, I started to really get serious about publication and began to study the craft. Eventually, I snagged an agent. My big break came when Thomas Nelson bought a three-book series from this unpublished author. And I’ve been happily writing for Thomas Nelson (now under the umbrella of HarperCollins Christian Fiction) ever since. I’m starting my twentieth book.
3. Do you have any advice for other writers who would like to get their novels published?
It’s so incredibly cliché, but never give up. Those who stick it out and really learn the craft will get published. I really believe that.
4. Do you use critique partner(s)? If so, how long have you had the same critique partner(s)?
I have never had a critique partner. I tend to bounce ideas and brainstorm with a couple of non-writer friends, and that seems to work for me. I’m a seat of the pants writer. I don’t outline or even like to talk too much about my plots with anyone—until I get hung up on something. Then I have those ‘go to’ people whom I trust.
5. I notice your last two releases, plus your current project, are set in small Texas towns. Why did you decide to set your most recent works in Texas?
I live in a small town in Texas, and it’s quiet and peaceful—most of the time, lol. I have a sign in my kitchen that reads In a small town, there ain’t much to see, but what you hear sure makes up for it. Everyone knows everyone in a small town. And that often makes for a fun story.
6. What’s a typical writing day like for you?
I know most authors would say that there is not a ‘typical’ day in this business. But I’m structured enough that I like to think I have a typical day lined out, at least some of the time. I like to get out of bed around 6:30. Then I have to take care of all my animals. I have a diabetic cat who needs an insulin shot, a dog with Lupus and she needs a pill, another dog with arthritis and he needs two pills. Then there are the four goats and two pot-bellied pigs that have to be fed. I am terrified of birds, so the feeding of the roosters falls on Hubby’s list. I am keeping my son’s Boxer while he works in Singapore for a year, and Harley does not get along with my other dogs, so I have to move everyone around for her to go outside and potty. Eventually, I get around to coffee. Always two cups.
I have a lovely office that is my special space, and I usually check emails and try to take care of any administrative stuff before I dive into writing. I write until about 11 a.m., then tend to break for an early lunch. In the afternoons, I write from about 1 to 5 p.m. Then I start dinner. I try really hard not to work in the evenings but it happens.
And EVERYTHING I’ve mentioned above is subject to change because of a deadline, editor request, the publicist needs something, Agent calls, and so on… But most days are great days no matter how they are laid out. I’m super blessed.
Thanks so much for being on my blog, Beth!
Please leave a comment for the giveaway – and remember the rules – refer to something specific in the interview so that I’ll know you’ve read it!
I have never had a critique partner. I tend to bounce ideas and brainstorm with a couple of non-writer friends, and that seems to work for me. I’m a seat of the pants writer. I found it interesting she writes about the Amish, but in the beginning, knew very little about them.
Beth Wiseman has written a couple of books centered in a small town in Texas because she lives in a small town in Texas. Those in a small town know everyone else. I look forward to reading Beth Wiseman’s books. My email is acks@hawaii.edu
Hmmm – conflicting information – email address is to be included in comments – told that email address will not be published – but looks like email address will be published – what to do, what to do.
I so love your writing Beth! This series is very addicting though!
Love each and every book in this series!
I have been reading Beth for quite a while. When I first started reading Amish fiction, there were very few writers in the genre. The last few years, I have many more to chose from. I am surprised Beth did not have much knowledge of the Amish before she started writing Amish fiction. I am from Ohio, so have a wealth of information around me, plus I have Amish (or ex-Amish) and Mennonite in my family. I have always had a few book ideas bouncing around in my brain, and about 20 years ago I bought a few books on how to get published. I just have never had the time to study it. My day job takes about 20 hours a day, so I have been content to read little bits each day instead of write. My email is lisajcowell@cs.com. Thanks for the giveaway.
I like to read about the Amish. Thomas Nelson is a good Publishiung co printing many good books. Glad you have 20 books but I need to start reading more of yours,\.. Small towns are the best even in Missouri.
Keep up the good work
Tressia
Wow Beth! Since getting serious about writing in 2006 you are now starting on your twentieth book! I am a huge fan of yours and I love all your books! You drink one more cup of coffee a day then I do. My limit is one and I’m not sure it counts as coffee. I like the International House brand of flavored coffee.
I would love to win a copy of Plain Peace. Can’t wait to read it. The cover is beautiful!
Blessings!
Judy B
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
So interesting to hear about all your animals. I didn’t know you had so many and they all seem to have a problem. I have read all the other books in this series and can’t wait to read this one.
colleen.bartell@gmail.com
love that you are useing the Amish folks on my team to keep the story true to the people. i would love to be able to travel to an amish town and just talk to the elders and tell them i belive they are very special people that stick to there way of life no matter what.also that your books give me great joy to read. I am also from a very small town like your texas home ,here we have 2 red lights and no walmart lol.
gapeaches2000@yahoo.com
You must love animals, except for the birds, to take care of them like that every day! Two cups of coffee every day is just right.
O Norman
onorman@wilkes.net
I love how Beth Wiseman brings out the gospel in these books.
Most amish people are lost and need some one to come into their community and present the gospel to them. Very well written
I am in the process of trying to get published now. Like Beth said, it’s definately sometimes difficult to get that break. I’ll just put in God’s hands.
I’d love to win a copy of the book. I’ve read many of Beth’s novels, and I always enjoy them.
Thank you,
Janice
Interesting how you were able to make some Amish friends to authenticate your writing in this genre. Looking forward to reading your books.
kathae at jacobfam dot net
I didn’t realize that you lived in Texas. I am from Texas, also, and love to read stories set there.
susanmsj@msn.com
Beth lives in a small Texas town and has been on this adventure for 6 yrs. Glhicks69@Yahoo.com Lee Ellen Hicks
I would like to know more about Amish fiction, I believe I can get a good headstart by reading Plain Peace. I would be honored to win Plain Peace.
Though Beth Wiseman wrote about the Amish in Plain Peace, she did not grow up among them. Infact, she barely knew anything about them. But she was able to keep the book authentic by befriending the plain people, visiting them in their homes and even have some of them in her team.
Beth Wiseman observed that being a good story teller (as she was 20 years ago), is not good enough to get you published. The pay off is taking the time to learn the craft of writing. It was not until 2006 that Beth seriously thought about publication and began to learn the craft of writing.
Beth never uses critique partners. Rather what works for her is she bounces ideas and brainstorms with a couple of non-writer friends.
Beth is structured enough to be able to take care of her animals, read her emails, take care of administrative stuff and still make time to write. Thanks Ceecee!
Ngozi, nnem5@yahoo.com
Wow. Beth’s been writing for 20 years, but then she got serious about it in 2006. Great interview. pat at ptbradley dot com
I am a huge fan of Beth Wiseman! I love living in small towns too. I used to be a city girl but now I have been a true country girl for the last 20+ years and I wouldn’t trade the peaceful living for living in the city ever again! Love being able to go outside and look at the field across the road from my place and see deer and turkey’s. And talk about peaceful, I love the quiet!
Thank you for the giveaway and good luck to everyone 🙂
It’s so incredibly cliché, but never give up. Be it on my knees in prayer, reading through a book (that is not for pleasure) or entering a contest for a “give away”. Another story-line to allow me to be lost in the pages of great travel, not by wheels, but by a book of Plain Amish.
So you have goats and pot bellied pigs, too!
I am thankful for your saying to stick to it and never give up…great advice. would love to win a copy of the book.
Hugs
Linda Finn
~ Oh, and chickens and roosters aren’t that bad really. I have two roosters and they are nice and actually the kids can pick them up, our cat walks arround them and they leave him alone. I love that you have animals !
Blessings
Linda
Thank you very much for offering this giveaway! I loved the interview with Ms. Wiseman and found her daily schedule fascinating. How fun to wake up to such a diverse menagerie of animals needing her attention! I don’t think I could be as self-disciplined as she is in following such a set writing schedule, especially with so many real animal friends to play with! 🙂
Hi, Beth!
Enjoyed your interview, & learning more about you, your writing, & your books. I liked your comment about God flinging open large doors – I think that is the way it happens, when we are following God’s plan for our lives. He makes things happen, so that we know – without a doubt – that we are doing what He has called us to do.
I haven’t read any of your books, & would love to read Plain Peace – I love anything Amish. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
I really find Beth Wiseman’s interview interesting. Would love to read and win Plain Peace. She answered a question for me. You do have to learn the writing craft. You don’t just fly off and write out of the blue, well, not too often. I’m taking a writing class. Needed to take it more seriously. I haven’t done so well. I love all the animals she owns. Never cared much for the curly tailed pigs. I can’t imagine drinking two cups of coffee. I make awful coffee. I love the ritual of drinking coffee. I hope you have continued success and health.
1dozenstars@gmail.com
I love reading Amish fiction. I love that Beth has Amish folks on her team to keep the books authentic. I also love her comment about a small town. I giggled because my relatives lived in a small town and the whole town knew we were coming to visit for our vacation. I would love to read this book!
Thanks Cecelia for all your hard work. This is an interesting area I still haven’t been able to explore; but maybe someday there will be a title more in keeping w/my interests. I did glance at some parts of Beth’s interview and was impressed by the devotion of her fans and readers. I am not applying for a free book, no way. She has too many fans here who will really cherish her work, as well as your generosity.
Living in PA,I see some of these beautiful Amish people at the wonderful Remington Mkt in downtown Philly, or on a train going into the Dutch country. I will never forget talking to one little gal, she was about 7 or 8, and looked like a living doll! My partner was aghast, telling me, we weren’t supposed to make casual talk with the Amish. These lovely people did not seem to mind at all, though.
There is a Christian thriller playing at some of the mainstream movie houses, I believe it’s called “The Rapture”, an end times thriller, that I will try to see. Another tempting area of Christian thought I’d like to explore in fiction is the Dead Sea Scrolls. I was hoping Ann Rice would turn her considerable talents here, sadly, I think her attempted excursion back into Christianity, was such a bad experience for her, I doubt if she will attempt it again, even in areas far removed from her published Christian Phase.
thanks for the fun interview. Beth’s day sounds like it is full of animals not writing. Maybe she should write books about adventures with animals. ;P love Beth’s books thanks for the chance to win.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Thanks for the interview. I liked this part of the interview, It’s so incredibly cliché, but never give up. Those who stick it out and really learn the craft will get published.
Musicmanlarry49@sbcglobal.net
Thanks for the interview. I liked this part of the interview, It’s so incredibly cliché, but never give up. Those who stick it out and really learn the craft will get published.
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