For the Amish of Pontotoc, Mississippi, all roads lead to faith, family,
and tradition, even when the path is unconventional—especially at Christmas . . .
and tradition, even when the path is unconventional—especially at Christmas . . .
Tillie Gingerich is so in love with Melvin Yoder that she agrees to leave her conservative Amish home to live with him in the English world. But when the struggle to make ends meet leads to conflict, and reveals troubling weaknesses in their relationship, Tillie returns to Pontotoc—pregnant and unmarried. Her loving family accepts her, but to convince the rest of the community, they must turn to the bishop. Distraught, Tillie runs away on Christmas Eve—only to get as far as an isolated house on the edge of town.
Levi Yoder, Melvin’s upright distant cousin, is grieving the loss of his wife and wants to be alone. He is hardly pleased to open his door and find a pregnant woman––a painful reminder of all he’s lost. But with an ice storm approaching, he can’t turn Tillie away. Yet as morning nears, the miracle of Christmas brings unexpected challenges, opportunities—and promises for
the future . . .
Levi Yoder, Melvin’s upright distant cousin, is grieving the loss of his wife and wants to be alone. He is hardly pleased to open his door and find a pregnant woman––a painful reminder of all he’s lost. But with an ice storm approaching, he can’t turn Tillie away. Yet as morning nears, the miracle of Christmas brings unexpected challenges, opportunities—and promises for
the future . . .
ASIN: B082WS34V2
Life As A Writer Interview with author Amy Lillard
1. How did you become a writer?
I hate to say it, because it sounds so trite, but I suppose I’ve always been a writer. I think writers, like poets, painters, and other artists simply are. How I became published is another story altogether.
I hate to say it, because it sounds so trite, but I suppose I’ve always been a writer. I think writers, like poets, painters, and other artists simply are. How I became published is another story altogether.
2. Are you a ‘plotter’ or a ‘panster’?
Plotter. Major plotter. I spend at least the first week in writing a book, writing out a chapter by chapter outline. I especially do this with mysteries so I can tell before I start that the clues are placed right, I have enough clues, suspects, red herrings, and action.
Plotter. Major plotter. I spend at least the first week in writing a book, writing out a chapter by chapter outline. I especially do this with mysteries so I can tell before I start that the clues are placed right, I have enough clues, suspects, red herrings, and action.
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3. How long does it usually take to finish writing a book?
Anywhere from four to eight weeks. Most of this depends on how well the abovementioned outline holds together. Sometimes my characters take one look at it and say, “nah…this is what really happens.” That’s when I scramble to keep up with my own imagination.
4. What does the typical writing day look like for you?
I’m up a five a.m. writing by five-thirty, and I don’t usually stop for the day until around two. In between all that, I squeeze in journal writing, yoga, a regular workout, food, and all the normal distractions like email and Facebook. Though I do try to keep five-thirty to nine completely about writing and only writing. |
5. What do you do to inspire creativity?
I guess I’m just a creative person by nature. I usually have to rein in my creative side instead of inspire it. To me, everything is inspiring. Which is probably why I have more ideas than I will ever be able to write.
I guess I’m just a creative person by nature. I usually have to rein in my creative side instead of inspire it. To me, everything is inspiring. Which is probably why I have more ideas than I will ever be able to write.
6. What would be one thing you wish readers knew about authors or the writing life?
This is my job. I do it all day, every day. Even on the days when I’m not writing, I’m writing. (FYI I try to take weekends off, but it never really works out that way.) So I get kind of awh, shucks, ma’am when people shake their heads in amazement and say they don’t know how I do it. I do it because that’s what I do. I’m a writer. I write.
This is my job. I do it all day, every day. Even on the days when I’m not writing, I’m writing. (FYI I try to take weekends off, but it never really works out that way.) So I get kind of awh, shucks, ma’am when people shake their heads in amazement and say they don’t know how I do it. I do it because that’s what I do. I’m a writer. I write.
7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever that has happened in your life as a writer.
My editor at Kensington prints out each book I send to him and marks the copy in red pen. (This is pre-COVID, of course). The first time I sent anything to him, I got it back with all the normal editorial correction marks on it. But because I love writing humor, I misinterpreted the ‘interject quotation marks’ mark for a smiley face. I thought I had made him laugh. Uh, no. Well, maybe, but he doesn’t mark those places at any rate. And here I thought I was truly being funny!
My editor at Kensington prints out each book I send to him and marks the copy in red pen. (This is pre-COVID, of course). The first time I sent anything to him, I got it back with all the normal editorial correction marks on it. But because I love writing humor, I misinterpreted the ‘interject quotation marks’ mark for a smiley face. I thought I had made him laugh. Uh, no. Well, maybe, but he doesn’t mark those places at any rate. And here I thought I was truly being funny!
8. What authors have influenced you the most?
Alfred Lord Tennyson said, “I am a part of all that I have met.” So I would say that “I am a part of all that I have read.” And since I grew up reading, I have read a lot. Stephen King, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Sandra Brown, Danielle Steele, Dean Koontz, and a trillion-gazillion Harlequins have made me into the writer and reader I am today.
Alfred Lord Tennyson said, “I am a part of all that I have met.” So I would say that “I am a part of all that I have read.” And since I grew up reading, I have read a lot. Stephen King, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Sandra Brown, Danielle Steele, Dean Koontz, and a trillion-gazillion Harlequins have made me into the writer and reader I am today.
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9. How do you choose your characters’ names?
I still have an old copy of Name Your Baby on my bookshelf, but I keep a running tab of names I like on a computer file. The other day I was watching a movie and I liked one of the characters names so I wrote it down. It was a docu-drama so I can’t use anything but his first name, but it definitely went on the list. If I turn to my list and I can’t find anything that strikes a chord, I go to the internet. Usually a search for one name leads to about five more being added to the list. |
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Naming characters for contemporary books is different than naming characters for Amish stories, of course, so I keep a listing for each. And then there’s the dreaded call from your editor to change someone’s name in a story for whatever the reason. For example, in the Main Street Book Club mysteries, Chloe was originally named Eddie (short for Edwina) but the editors didn’t like two male-ish names, Arlo and Eddie for the two main characters. Since Arlo was the main-main character, I kept her name and changed Eddie to Chloe. FYI- Stanley was my father’s name and where Arlo’s surname comes from.
10. What part of the writing process do you like the least?
Galley edits. Hands down. That’s when the production editor—the guy who makes the story file into an actual book—sends a copy of the pages as they will appear when the book is printed. This is the last time I get to look at the book and only big mistakes are corrected. I hate doing this because there is always more that I want to change than I know they will let me change. Pretty much only missing words, wrong words, or bad formatting is corrected at this point. It’s hard for me to let go wishing that I could reword something or that I used the same word really close together. But that’s the perfectionist in me, I suppose.
Galley edits. Hands down. That’s when the production editor—the guy who makes the story file into an actual book—sends a copy of the pages as they will appear when the book is printed. This is the last time I get to look at the book and only big mistakes are corrected. I hate doing this because there is always more that I want to change than I know they will let me change. Pretty much only missing words, wrong words, or bad formatting is corrected at this point. It’s hard for me to let go wishing that I could reword something or that I used the same word really close together. But that’s the perfectionist in me, I suppose.
Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your heart/mind.
I write a lot of different types of stories in several subgenres. But that’s exactly the way I read, so to me it’s natural. I know it might seem confusing to some since I write Amish romance, contemporary romance, mysteries, and such, but to me…well, I just want to tell stories. The stories I tell are driven by the characters in them—even the mysteries—and I tell them the best way I can. Or rather the way I feel moved to tell them. I would just ask that when picking up a book of mine that you have never read before, or perhaps in a genre that you have not read before, have an open heart and an open mind. You just might find something there you like as well.
I write a lot of different types of stories in several subgenres. But that’s exactly the way I read, so to me it’s natural. I know it might seem confusing to some since I write Amish romance, contemporary romance, mysteries, and such, but to me…well, I just want to tell stories. The stories I tell are driven by the characters in them—even the mysteries—and I tell them the best way I can. Or rather the way I feel moved to tell them. I would just ask that when picking up a book of mine that you have never read before, or perhaps in a genre that you have not read before, have an open heart and an open mind. You just might find something there you like as well.
Amy Lillard
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I’m a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, Fibro Warrior, and Squirrel Princess.
I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I’ve retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I’m from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty-five years and have a son–a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course! I love homemade tacos, nail polish, and romance novels–not necessarily in that order. I’m a big fan of classic country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I’m shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter. |
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I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twilight series (I’ll get to it or I won’t, either way I’m good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I’m alone on this last one, and again, I’m good with it.)
Favorite movies–(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940’s movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven’t seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn’s and Audrey’s. WEBSITE |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
Amy Lillard is generously giving away a print copy of An Amish Husband For Tillie
(USA ONLY)