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Fiction in the Works: Amish + Sunshine + Pies!

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I have an Amish book coming out next summer … and it’s a pretty yummy book.

 

Just a few hours ago I received an editorial note from my editor Kathleen at Harvest House. And you can guess what I’ll be working on for the next two weeks … edits.

I had a few favorite parts in this letter from her:

1. “I’m not asking for any huge changes.” <–this is something every author wants to read. Can I get and AMEN?!

2. “It’s a joy to read. You’ve got a flesh-and-blood heroine and the yummiest hero I think I’ve ever seen in Amish fiction. And glory, all that good eating…” <–I might have to get that quote framed for all the hard writing days.

The edits are for a book I’m co-editing with Sherry Gore, author of Simply Delicious Amish Cooking and her new release, Me, Myself, and Pie. The novel is part of a Pinecraft Pie Shop series. Our first book is titled Made with Love.

 

Our novel series is set in Pinecraft, Florida … an Amish community where 3,000 Anabaptists travel to every winter to escape the cold. As a duty, my family and I “sacrificed,” and we went to Pinecraft in January. Here are some behind-the-scenes looks at our book research.

 The story of our trip is in the captions!

Me, myself, and 10 members of my family in a 12 passenger van for the trip from Arkansas to Florida!

 

 

This was Chloe’s first trip to the beach in Sarasota. She was working on her non-tan in her carseat.

The kids had a blast on Mom’s “research” trip. (And it makes up for all the days when they have to eat peanut butter and jelly again because Mom’s under deadline.)

Two “plain” women on the beach. I bet you’ve never seen Amish women in flip flops, have you?

As part of my “research” I had to try out the food at Yoders. I give lunch two thumbs up!

And no meal is complete without homemade Amish pie!

 

Sherry Gore and I are excited that our book Made with Love will be out next summer! You know we’re a good writing match as co-authors when our names are almost exactly the same except I have an extra letter!

Edits should be done soon. Prayers for that are appreciated. And when we get a cover you’ll be the first to know!

 

Sherry and I with our daughters Leslie and Shannon!

Have you ever seen a lovelier clothesline?!

This laundry mat has clothes lines … but it also has a phone booth!

 

If you want to know more about Pinecraft you can check out Katie Troyer’s blog. Katie grew up Amish, and she lives in Pinecraft. Katie is 3′ 4″ tall. Here she is talking to some friends in Pinecraft in this photo.

 

Katie Troyer talking to friends.

Pioneer Trails buses bring loads of Amish south, starting in September. During the peak season 3-5 bus loads of Amish arrive every day.

I introduced myself to Katie and asked if we could have a picture together. She agreed!

I was excited to find Sherry Gore’s book in the gift shop! Maybe my novels will be in this store some day!

So have you ever thought about visiting Pinecraft?

If you do there will be PIE…

And this is Sherry’s pie, because in the Amish world you can’t have too much pie!

 

 

And in this community there will be new friends to greet you when you arrive!

A group watching the bus pull up!

 

So how about you? Would you like to visit Pinecraft?

 

Or … what other Amish communities would you like to visit? What would you like to see?

 

 

 

Leave a comment, and I’ll choose one of you to receive a copy of my Christmas novella: A Christmas Gift for Rose.

 

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Tricia Goyer

Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of six, grandmother of two, and wife to John. A bestselling author, Tricia has published 40+ books to date and has written more than 500 articles. Tricia currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.

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Comments

  2. Pinecraft sounds like such a lovely, peaceful place to visit! I love how the Amish cherish community.

    I have already viisited ones in Lancastor, Pa as well as some in IN and OH, but I would love to visit one out west!!

  3. I live in west Alabama, so maybe it wouldn’t be too far away? My husband has retired. I have a couple more years. I hope we can do a little traveling in our RV then. An Amish community is one of the places on my list to visit.

  4. I am grateful to hear that you have some great new books coming out. I love reading your Amish fiction. I can’t wait to meet at the bakery and have some of the great pies that will be made there.

  5. My in-laws just bought a winter-home in Everglade City. I’ll have to tell them about Pinecraft!

  6. Hi, Tricia !!
    I visited Pinecraft last week and got to see much of what you described. =) It is a beautiful location ….. and getting to meet Sherry and Jacinda was the absolute highlight of my trip. Am so looking forward to your upcoming novels written with Sherry. =)

  7. Oh, I’d LOVE to visit. Not only for the wonderful Amish experience, but also for the warmth! WI is so cold right now!

  9. How nice of you to share your family pictures of your trip. I would love to visit pinecraft’ I would love to meet some of the wonderful people there. I would love to win this book, A Christmas Gift for Rose.

  11. Someday, the Lord willing, I will visit Pinecraft! Love visiting Amish communities! And I would LOVE to be the recipient of your book, “A Christmas Gift for Rose.” Thank you for your giving heart! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

  13. I would love to visit PInecraft. I have read several books that describe the area and I would love to see the community, people and sights. I have been to Lancaster before, so Pinecraft is on my list of places I would love to visit one day!

  14. I loved this post. In the past I’ve visited New Pennsylvania and Surger Creek and surrounding areas. Pinecraft sounds very nice. I just read a blog post on Not Quite Amish about the beautiful quilts there.
    Katie must be very popular in Pinecraft, as I have been on Wanda Brunstetters Facebook page and she has posted a picture of herself and Katie also.
    I would love to win A Christmas Gift for Rose. It’s on my list to be read this Christmas.
    Happy Thanksgiving.
    Shirley

  15. I have never been to an Amish community, but would love to visit any. I would especially love the food! And the hand made items. Loved the clothesline pic.

  16. Pictures were great, the pie looked yummy and would love to win. Thanks for the opportunity. Linda

  17. I’m a transplant to the area and looking forward to visiting Pinecraft and tasting some wonderful pie! I also would love to have your book. Thank you.

  19. Very interesting post! I know some Mennonites from my area (Northern NY) travel to Florida for the winter, but I don’t know if they go to Pinecraft or a different location.

    Just out of curiosity, are the women you took photos of really Amish, or are they plain Mennonite? The ones on the beach look like Mennonites to me based on their dresses, and I’m wondering if any Amish wear the “handkerchief” coverings (I’m not sure what their proper name is, but the ones worn in the bus photo–versus the stiff coverings)? I don’t think they do in my area, but I don’t know much about Amish clothing in other parts of the U. S. I’m just curious.

  20. I would love to visit one of the Amish communities!! I love reading all of the Amish fiction books. Lucky you getting to research and visit all of the nice communities! Thanks for the chance to win this book.

  21. Any Amish community! I would love to learn their simple ways. I’ve always loved the research and time you put into your books!

  23. I am not a big pie eater, but that pie picture makes me want to go make a cherry pie right now.

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