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Friday, August 4, 2017

Welcome, Vannetta Chapman to Suspense Sisters!

Today, Mary Ells has the singular pleasure of interviewing a great writer and personal friend, Vannetta Chapman. 

Vannetta has a new Amish mystery series. Book one ~ What the Bishop Needs is already out. Book 2 ~  The Bishop Needs an Alibi releases at the end of this month. Vannetta is willing to give away a signed print copy of each book to a lucky reader who leaves a comment. Details after the interview. 

ME: If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 
VC: I’d say I’m an energetic country girl with a fierce love for good storytelling, friends and family, and the Lord.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies? They’re interesting to me! Let’s see—quilting, piano, hiking, gym rat, pets, music, gardening.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?
No one seems to remember these. I loved reading all the Cherry Aimes books. She was a nurse—an amazing nurse. She did everything from surgical, to baby wards, to triage. I loved those books and devoured them all!

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.
I don’t eat white foods, I have a phobia about driving over extremely tall bridges, and I teach English composition at my local community college.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?
I started writing romantic suspense when I first acquired my agent. We switched to Amish romance. From there I went to Amish mystery, then dystopian, and a few inspirational suspense. I still write all of them! Basically, I enjoy telling stories, and I’ll write whatever my editor asks me to write.


What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
I was recently told not to write “episodic writing.” After publishing 20 books, I had no idea what my editor meant, so I emailed her back and asked her to explain. She kindly sent me a few articles, and now I understand it means you need constant tension/conflict in your story. Got it! Watch out for lots of tension and conflict in my future releases. :)

The best compliment was probably when I had turned in my dystopian series, and my editor kept texting me saying—
“How could you…”
“Oh. It’s okay.”
“It’s NOT okay. How could you…”
I loved that! It showed that she was really captivated by the story, and that’s the best compliment I can receive if I can transport a reader to another place.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why? Oh my. Hmmmm…I tried sci fi and couldn’t do it. I can READ sci fi, but I freeze up when I try to write it. I also don’t think I could write historical, though I greatly admire people who do. Other than that…I’m open to suggestions.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be? I would worry less. Honestly, I spent nights tossing over a poor PW review (that book won ACFW’s best mystery of 2012), worrying about contracts (they keep coming when it’s all said and done), fearing my career was over before it had begun (it’s not). So I would worry less, and trust the Lord more. An easy thing to say in hindsight.


What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors? Keep writing. Too many newbies give up too soon. The first book I had published by a major publisher was the 9th book I had written. Sometimes it takes a few to hit the “slot” publishers have open, and your craft improves as you write. So please…keep writing.

Here's a blurb about Book 1 ~ What the Bishop Saw:

Somewhere in the Embers Lies the Truth. A fire blazes out of control in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, leaving an elderly Amish bachelor dead. Bishop Henry Lapp rushes to the scene, and he learns the fire was no accident. Someone intended to kill Vernon Frey. But who would want to kill Vernon? Well, practically everyone—Amish and Englisch alike.

When the police point the finger at a suspect Henry knows is innocent, the bishop must decide whether or not to use his mysterious, God-given gift—one he's tried desperately to ignore all these years—to try and set the record straight. His close friend and neighbor, Emma, encourages Henry to follow God's leading.Could the clue to solving the case be locked somewhere deep in his memory? Will Henry find the courage to move forward in faith and put the right person behind bars? Is his friendship with Emma becoming something more? What the Bishop Saw is a story of extraordinary talents, the bonds of love and friendship, and the unfailing grace of God.

Remember, Book 2 of the Bishop Series, The Bishop Needs An Alibi, releases at the end of this month.

Please leave Vannetta a comment to be entered in the drawing. One winner will be picked to win a copy of What the Bishop Saw and one winner will be picked to win a copy of The Bishop Needs An Alibi.  US readers only. 

55 comments:

  1. I would love to win this contest
    I love all of Vannetta's books 😍

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  2. Vannetta Chapman's books are intriguing and I love the Amish mystery books the best as well as her short stories. She takes you into the stories which is what I like, I like to be able to feel as though I am right there seeing everything unfold myself. Love her books and I have also read your stories too and would like to commend you on excellent works. Thanks for all the good work...

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  3. Looking forward to reading this book.

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  4. The more I read about you, the more I like you!
    I have greatly enjoyed reading your books and look forward to more from you!

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  5. Yes, your books are some of my favorites and I would like to win these new ones! Thank you for the chance to win.

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  6. I love that Vanetta Chapman combines the Amish story with a mystery. I look forward to reading these. Thanks for the chance to win

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  7. Great interview! Always enjoy reading Vanetta Chapman books! Looking forward to reading these new books! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
    jtabalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  8. I just finished What the Bishop Saw a few days ago and enjoyed it. Great story line and characters.

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  9. Enjoyed learning more about Vanetta. And What the Bishop Saw sounds like a great read!

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  10. What the Bishop saw was a great book! My mom and I loved the different take on the Amish series come from a guy's perspective but the Bishop's perspective was even better. You don't see many Amish books tell the men's stories. Thanks for a chance to win! Would love to win the next book in the series for my mom and me. Lela. paralegal7@hotmail.com

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  11. Thanks so much for letting me interview you on short notice, Vannetta! Beside being a great writer, you are a super human being and friend!

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  12. Vannetta is an amazing author. Thank you for the chance. Enjoyed the interview.

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  13. Amish is my favorite genre to read. I haven't read many Amish mysteries but this sounds like a series I would enjoy reading.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  14. Great interview! I've been reading Vannetta's books forever and love them all.

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  15. I'd love to be in the draw for "When the Bisop Needs an Alibi" because I have the other one!! :-) Thanks for the chance!!

    What a fun author interview, I always love reading these.

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  16. I met Vanetta in Berlin Ohio last year. She was in a quilt store. I love her books! Thanks for chance to win.

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  17. I have been reading the Amish genre since it's infancy when it was basically just Beverly Lewis writing it. I have just recently starting reading Amish suspense and think it's a great idea to mix the two genres. I would love to read one of Vanetta Champamn's Amish suspense books. Thank you for the giveaway entry.

    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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  18. I loved What the Bishop Saw! Can't wait to read When the Needs an Alibi!
    duellonlysis(at)aol(dot)com

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  19. I love all Vannetta's books.I am looking forward to reading this one.If you haven't read a book by her you need to.Her stories are awesome.

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  20. Vanneta's books are great! Sounds great love to read!

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  21. I enjoyed your interview. You reminded me of some books I loved growing up, Cherie Aimes. This new Bishop series sounds great. I have enjoyed your prior books.

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  22. I am reading "What the Bishop Saw" and can hardly wait to find out who is guilty of setting the fires. Will be looking forward to the other books in this series.

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  23. Looking forward to reading Vanetta Chapman new book!
    Strgth4yu@hotmail.com

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  24. Awesome....... Have read other books by Vanetta Chapman and she is a wonderful writer. I need to read this book. Thanks for the give away.

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  25. What an interesting interview! I learned a lot of different interests you have and how you process writing and editorial comments. This was fascinating to read. And what a different photograph of you! Best of luck, you are a fabulous writer and I am pleased to recommend your books personally or when I at work at the library.

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  26. I wasn't familiar with you, Vanetta Chapman, but know of your friend Mary Ellis. I have read many of her books and Love, Love, Love them!! So Mary says you're awesome and I think she's awesome! Her word is all I need!! I so look forward to reading your books and becoming a fan as well!! God's Blessings!! <3

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  27. Love this interview as Ms Chapman is a favorite of mine no matter which genre she tackles. I can totally relate to the inner turmoil of driving over a tall bridge as bridges have been a challenge to me as well. My grown children still tell about the time I was driving over a pretty tall bridge and was griping the steering wheel with a death grip, was "white as a sheet, and shaking like a leaf. I am doing better over bridges in general but try to avoid the big ones. Looking forward to this new book!

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  28. Fun interview! This new series is in my to read list.

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  29. As you know I just started reAding your books and love ❤️ the stories on faith, commitment and community togetherness! Thank you for sharing! Would love to win!!

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  30. I don't dislike the bridges as much as I do the tunnels that go under the water! I hope I never have to go in another one of those! Would love to win one of your new books!

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  31. Vannetta describes herself as 'an energetic country girl with a fierce love for good storytelling, friends and family, and the Lord.' This "fits me to a t" EXCEPT I am much better reading stories than telling them! Thanks for sharing her thoughts and this giveaway. I would be thrilled to win either book.
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  32. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I love finding new authors, to me, to enjoy. Being a quilter means you are probably very creative with your stories too. I don't write but I sure can quilt.

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  33. I truly do adore mysteries and these books sound like they would be right up my alley. Thanks for a chance to win.

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  34. I have enjoyed previous books by Vanetta and would love to win a copy of one of these new ones. Thanks for the chance. It sounds like a very interesting series. 😊
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

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  35. I enjoyed this interview because I learned something new about the author. Fishingjan(at)AOL(dot)com

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  36. I love Vannetta's stories and am excited to read the Bishop Series! Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful interview and giveaway!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  37. I love to read Vannetta's books. I am looking forward to reading When the Bishop Needs an Albi-- I loved What The Bishop Saw! Enjoyed reading this wonderful interview and for this giveaway

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  38. My very favorite childhood books were the Cherry Aimes books. I had all of them, I wish I still had them so I could re-read them. I love reading your books, especially your Amish books. Would love to read your new series. Enjoyed getting to know you from your interview. Thanks for the chance.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. Love your Amish books especially the ones with mystery/suspense.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. A good interview with a new author!
    Martha T.
    CRPrairie1(@)imonmail(dot)com

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  41. Looking forward to reading Vannetta's new series. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  42. Love your books! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  43. Enjoyed the interview. I, too, enjoyed the Cherry Ames books, as well as the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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  44. Thank you for the chance to win a book by a new author to me.
    lhanberry1@gmail.com

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  45. wonderful interview. I look forward to reading your books.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  46. I love your books, Vannetta! And I also remember the Cherry Aimes books! I loved reading them, and the Nancy Drew books.

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  47. These both sound like really good books. I have them on my wish list. Thanks 😃
    iamabho at gmail dot com. 😀

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    1. I just double checked and Just When the bishop needs an alibi is on my wish list for a Kindle copy, I already have a Kindle copy of book one 😄

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  48. Vannetta's books have been on my to be read list for a while now. Winning one of her books would be the best motivation!

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  49. I have read some of Vannetta's books but not this new series. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  50. Tweeted to share blog post 😄. https://mobile.twitter.com/LindaMoffitt02/status/900905321014722562
    😍

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