The Mennobrarian

Reading the Amish

11:12, Friday, September 26, 2008 .. Posted in Library Life .. 9 comments .. Link

Another librarian at work told me that I needed to order more Amish fiction, that our patrons are asking for it. Truthfully, I was aware of this, but only recently was I able to do something more about it other than donate my own used Christian books to the library collection. And there is another part of me that, truthfully, despises Amish fiction because there is so little of it that has been written by people who are, or were, actually Amish. The books that are written by real Amish people for Amish people are usually self-published, receive little promotion, and are in fact somewhat off the radar of the mainstream publishing world. Those are the Amish books I love. Books written by Lewis, Brunstetter, and company, tend to be the least believable and overly romanticized as examples of Amish fiction. But in defense of those authors, they are writing for their readers who want to read about light romance and idyllic escapes, and not messy truths.

A woman is coming to our library in a few weeks to give a presentation on "Amish traditions." Not only is this woman charging us a few hundred dollars to deliver her perception of Amish ways, but her experience is nothing more than having lived in the same geographical area as some Amish and having some business dealings with them. It's a claim many could make.

I have thought about writing a book about my own family, the years I lived with my Amish aunt, so many memories. Like the time I ran out into the field to run along side my Uncle's wagon as he mowed hay, waving my college acceptance letter, and seeing his face fall in sadness. My heart dropped and then sang as his expression quickly rebounded into happiness for his agasinish (stubborn) Mennonite niece. Like so many things, the prospect of writing even a semi-autobiographical account brings up conflicted feelings. There is a part of me that wants to write about now, today, and anticipation for the future, and not rehash what once was. And as someone so distant and removed from that life today, how would I feel to make money off of the Amish name? Deeply embarrassed. Yet, I have to acknowledge that people who have lived the Old Order experience are exactly the people who should be writing those books. Not people who have lived in "Amish communities" or have "Amish friends", but people who have walked with and among the horse and buggy people in an intertwined heritage.

The drive to write has haunted me since I was old enough to hold a pencil. It was easily channeled during my years of higher education, and resulted in some published academic work in grad school. Yet, the full story of what God is doing in my life today is almost impossible to tell without the backdrop of an ever-present past.

Getting back to "Amish fiction", which is a relatively new label. It's encouraging that so many people are interested in wholesome Christian fiction. But while fiction is by its very design mere fantasy, I'm still saddened that so many readers can be drawn into those popular Amish paperbacks and take them as gospel. Do they also hunger for the Lord's word, and if not, will these books point the way?

By the way, I do think there is some good Amish fiction out there, and if anyone is interested, perhaps I'll post a list sometime.

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Untitled Comment

05:30, Friday, September 26, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427
Oh I definately think if God has been laying it on your heart for so long, you should definately write down your experiences. My gradnmother felt the same why and finally when she was in her 80's I think, she wrote it down, and made it into 3 books. They wer never publicly published. But she sold a ton of them!! Everyone was interested in the "good old days" it seemed.

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

Untitled Comment

09:08, Friday, September 26, 2008 .. Posted by Kitty
OH MY WORD. I love anything about the Amish. I do love B. Lewis books, I've read almost all of them. Do post a list so I can check our local library....thanks.......Kitty

writing past

10:45, Friday, September 26, 2008 .. Posted by stitchesbyteresa
First of all, if your heart tells you to write, you pretty much have to write about the past, right? B/c isn't that where all your material will come from? I personally think it would be so wonderful if some of my great aunts/great uncles had written accounts of their lives, or even in fiction format of their thoughts growing up. I would have loved to have read this. I think your future generations would benefit from the accounts of your time living w/your amish relatives. It is your past, but it is a part of your past that makes you who you currently are...does that make sense? For some reason, I LOVE to read about amish. I think it's because of the way I grew up. Both my parents worked, BUT we also had huge gardens and my dad was a hunter. We lived largely off our land. I miss that part of my life. I also like Beverly Lewis books. I am not sure your opinion of her books...but I'd love to hear it! I'd also love to see your list of recommended "good reads". I encourage you to write to your heart's content, but ONLY if you feel called to do so!
May God Bless You!
Teresa

Sign Me Up

11:34, Friday, September 26, 2008 .. Posted by browns71280
I would love to read about the Amish more. I love to read about old history and such. Did you ever get a copy of "Two Old Women" that I had talked to you about?

Debbie

*****Debbie, did you mean Two Old Women by Velma Wallis? I don't recall you mentioning it, but that must be my mistake. If yu recommend it, I'll put it on my list! -Monica***

Edited by Mennobrarian on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 07:36

Untitled Comment

05:20, Saturday, September 27, 2008 .. Posted by miniumgallegos
I think you should definitely write if you feel the Lord leading you to it. I also feel that it would do the Amish a service to have the real, heartfelt, powerful, truthful stories out there of their lives, their culture, their beliefs and God will take care of the rest. I agree it would be incredibly difficult for you to profit from their stories--your story-- due to your family history and just your honest goodness that God his given you; however, surely you could donate all proceeds to charity, to family and friends in the Amish community who are having hardships, etc. That to me would be a wonderful solution.
Blessings

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05:38, Sunday, September 28, 2008 .. Posted by SisterRuth
Please do post a list sometime. I would love to read more wholesome fiction about the Amish. I am not very keen on Beverly Lewis and other authors like that.

Thanks

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09:17, Tuesday, September 30, 2008 .. Posted by Jayme
I would love to read books that are by the Amish themselves as much as I love the fiction books that are written. Please do a list of the Amish books because I didn't realize there were any out there except for the magazine that are published and it seems personnal for the Amish community.

Untitled Comment

10:27, Friday, October 3, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous
Just wanted to drop by and thank you for weighing in on my latest post. Everyone's thoughts and opinions are very valuable to me.

oxox
Jennifer

Amish Books

05:38, Thursday, October 9, 2008 .. Posted by Deutschmum
Please DO post a list of good Amish books! I love to learn more about the Amish way of life your list would be greatly appreciated!

And, as another person who has written (but not tried to publish) since I was young, I must agree with the other posts: if you feel called to do so, WRITE! Just write prayerfully, being open to what God leads you to write. And when you do finish your first book, please let me know so I can be first in line to get a copy!
By the way, I sent you a PM with my information for the giveaway - I am so excited to have won!!!!!
Blessings to you and yours!