Today I'm hosting an author interview with Wanda Brunstetter.
Yesterday we did the book tour for her newly released book:
White Christmas Pie
I asked Wanda if she'd answer 10 quick questions and she graciously obliged. Thank you Wanda for your time. My friend got me hooked on Wanda several years back. I love your books. Let's not waste any time. When did you first know you were a writer?
When I was in the second grade and wrote a poem about a moth. My teacher said it was good and that I had real potential.
From what I can tell she was right on the button. Good teacher to encourage you in this direction. Do you write only Amish setting books?
I write mostly Amish themed books, but have also done a few historical novels.
I have read most of your books. I try to keep up. Sometimes it's hard. I have read two of your historical novels they are equally as good. Still have some in my 2br pile too. I just can't stay ahead of the game. Why did you choose Amish setting?
I'm good friends with many Amish people and I wanted to show my readers what these wonderful people are truly like.
Now for a few fun questions. Since you wrote about a pie let me just ask what is your favorite pie?
Lemon Shoofly pie, found in my first Amish Cookbook, which is available at most bookstores.
I love the way you add a recipe to the books you write. That is so neat. I think cookbooks are my downfall or maybe it's just food in general. I don't have your cookbook but I eye it wherever I see it. Maybe Santa will get the hint, hint, hint....In your spare time, if you have that as an author, what is your favorite thing to do? (not counting reading)
I love to walk on the beach with my husband, Richard, looking for agates and shells.
You know there is something about walking on beaches that is so romantic or fireplaces. I'm not close to either one. What books do you like to read?
I like to read historical novels.
The historical are good. Mysteries are fun too. I know your Sisters of Holmes County series had kind of a mystery take on it with all the mishapps that happened to the Hostettler family. I have the third book in that series in my 2br pile. It needs to come to the top so I can find out who is pulling all the parnks on the Hostettler family. Like I mentioned earlier. I'm a little behind in my reading. Just too many good books out there. I've kind of given this time right now to Christmas books. I love the holiday season. Do you have anything in the works coming out in the future? What a question to ask an author. I'm sure you have something going all the time.
I'm presently working on another Amish cookbook, which will be out in July 2009. I also just finished Book 1 in my new Indiana Cousins series. Book 1, A Cousin's Promise, will be out in March 2009, and so will my new Amish-themed children's pictue/storybook, The Wisdom of Solomon. I also have two children's books coming out in December 2008.
Now I know I'm behind. I was reading about your new Indiana Cousins series coming out. I'm from South Bend, IN area so I'm real interested in that series. Yesterday I received a post card in the mail about your new books in the Rachel Yoder series too. My daughter and I have read the first two books. We have gotten our library to stock the books. We're waiting for them to get the 3rd & 4th books out. Sometimes they aren't as fast as we'd like. Now we'll have to request 5 & 6. They love us at the library and get many of the books we request. I try not to push the limits too much. I'm picky about what I ask them to get. Ok I could go on forever so better ask the next question. About how long does it take you to get a book completed. from your head (thoughts) to publisher: (Not including publish time). How long then from publish to store shelves?
Most of my full-length novels take me about 6 months, from beginning to end. Time from the publisher to store shelves is 6-9 months.
Wow, so that's a good year in advance. You have to be one step ahead. Is there a special scripture verse you'd like to give us?
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22
Ah, now that comes from your book A Merry Heart in the Bride of Lancaster County series. That was the first book I read of yours. I was hooked. I love the fact that you use the KJV verses in your books. That's my preferred version. Most use other versions and then I have to look the verse up to see what it really says. What thoughts would you like to leave with the readers of this interview?
Even though the Amish may dress differently than we "Englishers", drive a horse and buggy, and live more simply than we do, inside we are all the same.
Their simple way of life is so intriguing. You have a way of making me fell as though I'm living right there watching the story unfold as I read. I always think could I live that way? I think I'd miss the computer the most. It might be fun to ride a horse and buggy, but oh, so cold in our ND winters though. Thank you again Wanda for your time. There you have it everyone. I know you won't be disappointed with Wanda's books, Amish or otherwise. You can find Wanda at the following web sites. I'll have to check out her new solomom lapp site. The other two I visit from time to time to stay up on her.
We all must have a lighter side to us and I'm hoping that in my blogs to share crafts, game ideas, recipes, funny happenings etc. I have another blog with my quiet spiritaul thoughts as well.
