SUSPENSE SISTERS: Amish anthologies

by Mary Ellis

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

I’m an optimist who never removes her rose-colored glasses.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

I’ve had too many deadlines lately to indulge much in hobbies. Before my writing career took off, I liked to fence, play soccer, swim, sew, crochet, needlepoint, decorate cakes, travel, and of course, read. I hope to get back to some of those once this flurry of work slows down.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

I spent my early childhood in Africa. I’ve eaten deep-fried water beetles and loved them. I came in 6^th place in a national fencing tournament.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

I began writing magazine articles for children and later wrote at least a dozen educational books before switching to Amish novels. To date, my novels have been Amish romance, but I’ve done several Amish suspense stories in anthologies. Now I’m looking forward to writing more suspense that will come out in 2020 & 2021.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Usually, I welcome criticism because it helps me improve my craft, but when one of my editors told me two weeks before a tight deadline that she thought I needed to add another character’s point of view to the novel, I could have cried. It meant rewriting the whole book in 2.5 weeks, but she was right. It did improve it.

The best compliments I’ve gotten are when people tell me they’ve cried while reading my books or when they say the story brought them closer to the Lord.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?

I’ve tried a lot of different genres—picture books, middle-grade novels, young adult books, nonfiction—and right now, my agent is sending out proposals for historical fiction and contemporary romance.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?

I wish I’d known that when an editor sends back a marked-up manuscript, it’s a compliment and means they most likely want to publish your work. I tore the manuscript into tiny shreds and threw it away. That was back before there were computers, so it was my only copy. When I discovered my mistake, I was sick. I might have been published much sooner if I’d taken the advice I received instead of deciding my manuscript was worthless.

What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Always give your all. So many writers decide to save some of the best bits for the next manuscript, fearing more or better ideas won’t come. Pour it all into the manuscript you’re writing. I’ve often thought this Scripture verse could be applied to writing: “…give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38, ESV). I believe the more generous you are with your ideas, the more God will give you. But that verse also shows me we need to help others on their writing journeys. It doesn’t matter if you’re not very far along, there’s always someone who’s taking their first steps, and you can help them.

Here's a little bit about today's author:

Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. She grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events. Rachel is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming – the bestselling Love & Promises, Sisters & Friends, Surprised by Love, Unexpected Amish Blessings, and two books in Hearts of Amish Country – as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books. In addition, she has stories in several anthologies, including Summer of Suspense, with 15 awesome mystery and suspense authors. Rachel also juggles freelance editing and illustration careers. She loves reading (of course!), traveling, and spending time with her five children and three grandchildren. Visit her at her website, Facebook, author page, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads. You also can sign up for her newsletter here.

Here's a little bit about Plain Everyday Heroes: An anthology by Laura V. Hilton, Tom Nye, and Rachel J. Good. Rachel's story in the anthology is “An Unlikely Hero.” When a stranger arrives and arouses Benuel Miller’s suspicions, the blind shopkeeper doesn’t let his guard down for a minute... until Mari enters the picture. Something sinister simmers under the surface, and Benuel risks his life and hope of love to discover the truth about the stranger.

Please leave Rachel a comment for a chance to win a copy of Plain Everyday Heroes. You must leave your email address. Sorry, US readers only.

Hello, Suspense Sisters, Mary Ellis here! Although usually I write mysteries and romantic suspense set in the South, recently I wrote a story set in an Amish community. My characters use their faith and trust in God to solve their problems. My hope as an author is that my fictional stories will encourage readers during their own times of tribulation. Shortly after I began my writing career, and experienced a modicum of success, I made a sign to hang over my desk of a favorite Scripture: “But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 NLT

My mother had her own version of that particular passage: Stop tooting your own horn. And her favorite: The less said about one’s self the better. The immortal maxims of my late mother still ring in my ears today, making me smile. The problem is Mom was a stay-at-home housewife, not a published author. How does a Christian balance being humble with the necessity of self-promotion, essential in the world of publishing? Not only writers, but musicians, dancers, actors, salespeople, public speakers, sports figures and of course, politicians must do quite a bit of horn-tooting to stay in the game. Even doctors and lawyers appear on TV enticing us to file that lawsuit or get that tummy-tuck expressly from them. Often this type of marketing isn’t just expected but required in the fine print of contracts.

I have struggled with the dilemma of promotion vs. setting oneself above others. I don’t like having to say: “look at me and what I’ve accomplished” even though I’m expected to blog, Facebook and participate in author interviews. So I must walk a narrow path between not puffing myself up, and spreading the word that a book about God’s infinite grace, mercy and love has just been released. I focus on one undeniable truth: God gave me whatever humble abilities I possess. As long as He continues to put words into my head, I will continue to turn them into gentle stories meant to inspire. I hope I never forget: It’s not about me. It’s all by His hand and for His glory.

Please leave me a comment for a chance to win a copy of my novella, Nothing Tastes so Sweet, from the anthology collection, The Amish Sweet Shop, from Kensington Publishing. US and Canada only. Please leave your email address in order to win.