NEWSLETTER
March 2008
Beloved Reader,
Welcome to the second edition of Plain News!
Once again I have the honor of beginning with a huge thank you to readers and others who’ve helped spread the word about our Sisters of the Quilt series. Last time I shared how you made my debut novel (which came out September of 2006) and its sequel (which came out in September 2007) a success beyond all that I had asked or thought (Ephesians 3:20).
This time I have the privilege of sharing that readers have made When the Morning Comes, book two in Sisters of the Quilt series, a NEW YORK TIMES best seller. With all the work, hopes, and prayers that go into a project like this, the power of getting the books into people’s hands really rests in the readers themselves. It’s the first readers who dared to take a chance on this debut novelist who then shared about the books with their mothers, daughters, sisters, brothers, dads, and husbands, and those who asked their libraries, book stores, and book clubs to carry these books, who have influenced the success of this series.
Years ago, I remember Karen Kingsbury saying writing is a wonderful career, but it’s the readers who bless the author and keep us motivated; they are loyal and amazing. I couldn’t agree more.
Blessings,
The final book in the Sisters of the Quilt series is When the Soul Mends. Its release date is September 16, 2008.
The girl on the new book’s cover is the same girl from the other covers. She looks a lot different, doesn’t she? This photo was taken during the same photo shoot as book two’s, only this time she doesn’t have on the prayer Kapp and she is wearing a bright-colored dress. Although I was invited to attend the photo shoot, I couldn’t make it. Shannon, my editor, flew from Colorado to Ohio for the photo shoot and went with the model to a shopping mall to pick out the right clothing to represent Hannah in the third book. I think she did a fabulous job! Shannon has great taste. Below is her description of a book she thinks my readers might like.
Connecting to the Old Order Amish Community
The garden needed more weeding, but the sun was sliding below the horizon, taking with it my ability to distinguish between weeds and produce. Laundry on the clothesline flapped in the summer breeze, reminding me and my Amish friend, Anna,1 that we’d moved too slowly through the chores as I spent the day learning to handle the responsibilities of an Amish woman.
While I helped Anna take the clothes off the line, I reflected on how we met. Five years ago, I’d had a story in my heart that I wanted to write, but I needed an inside view. I wondered whether I could interview someone who was living an Old Order Amish life.
While growing up in Maryland, I’d had an Amish friend. Our adventures generated a desire in me to write about the joys and difficulties of relationships between the Plain folk and outsiders. The angst and disapproval of our parents concerning our friendship led to the story idea about Hannah and Paul. Decades later, when I actually started writing a novel about an Amish family, my friend and I lived a thousand miles apart and I’d lost contact with her.
My sister was living in Pennsylvania, and after weeks of asking around, she found a woman named Linda, an EMT who had worked at an Amish birthing center. Linda knew many Amish people, but only one who might be willing to answer my questions—a barely-forty mother named Anna—and then only if my queries went through Linda. This began a convoluted long-distance relationship. I’d ask Linda questions and she’d pass them on to Anna. I’d write segments of my novel and Linda took them to Anna to read. After about a year of this, Anna told Linda I should come to her place for a visit. I was thrilled!
Since the Old Order Amish community travels only by horse and buggy, hired driver, or train, this seemed the perfect opportunity for me to travel as my character would in my first book, When the Heart Cries. So my youngest son and I took the train from Georgia to Pennsylvania.
My first meeting with Anna went more smoothly than either of us had expected. She and I were both moms, interested in raising our children to know the Creator of the universe and live by His Word. That bond transcended all our differences and united us in understanding each other.
To help me get a feel for living Amish, Anna and I worked the garden, washed clothes with a wringer washer, hung them out to dry, prepared meals without electricity, and drove by horse and buggy to visit relatives so I could get some hands-on perspectives of other Amish livelihoods. Our sons fished, played ball, rode scooters as well as horses, and walked to the one-room school.
At the end of our visit, we planned a return trip the following year. For twelve months, our youngest sons eagerly anticipated the next get-together almost as much as I did.
In the next newsletter, which will be sent in June, I’ll share a little about our second trip to Anna’s home. The full article will be available in May at your local Christian bookstore and also chronicle some of my husband’s experiences among the Amish men when he went with me last summer. Just ask for your complimentary copy of Storytellers’ Journal. If they don’t have it, have the manager order copies from the WaterBrook/Multnomah sales representative.
Names have been changed to assure privacy.
News about Contests
Having contests through my Web site is one way I can stay in contact with my readers. In the fall of 2007 we gave away an Amish quilt in our first contest. This year I’d like to do that again. My Amish friend has invited me to come to her home and stay with her the week of their school sale. That way I can visit with her AND pick out which quilt I wish to bid on during the school auction. I’m hoping nothing prevents me from making this trip! In May I’ll return with the quilt and post a photo of it. If you’d like a chance to win it, be sure to enter. Please encourage your mother, sisters, brothers, cousins, friends, and neighbors to enter too. They can enter under their own names or reenter your name, which would cause your name to go into the “hat” each time. To enter the contest, follow this link and fill in the fields: Quilt Contest. (Be sure to check the spelling on your e-mail address when entering.)
There’s also a contest each month on my Web site for an autographed copy of When the Morning Comes. You can enter every month if you like. Remember, signed books make nice gifts.
Newsletter Contest
It’s time for another Newsletter Contest. We were thrilled to have so many participants for the last contest. This time the prize will be an autographed copy of book three, When the Soul Mends, sent out as soon as it’s available (which may be a month or more sooner than in stores.)
Our winner for the first-edition newsletter was Leatha from Middletown, New York. Congrats, Leatha!
This time I’ll draw FOUR winners from all the entries.
Feel free to forward this newsletter to family and friends, and they can enter the contest too. A winner will be drawn on May 30, a few days before the next newsletter will be sent.
Here’s how to enter. (Please follow these steps carefully to prevent your entry from being disqualified.)
Note: You are reading the Web site version of Plain News. The Newsletter Contest is only available to those who receive the newsletter via their inbox. The newsletter is free and is sent four times per year, but on an occasion a special announcement may be sent. To sign up, to go http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/newsletter.php.
A home remedy from the Amish country
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Tea Tonic
Throughout history, honey has been effective as an analgesic (pain reliever) and perhaps even a healing remedy. Vinegar was always my mother’s favorite antiseptic, as it containing many purifying and therapeutic properties. With this delicious tea, you’ll get the restorative powers of both.
Begin by making a cup of hot tea, preferably decaffeinated. Add one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Any honey is good, but health advocates claim that honey made by bees in an individual’s own region is even more beneficial to the body’s system—especially if you deal with seasonal allergies.
This tea is very tasty and is known among the Amish as being helpful with headaches, colds, flu, sore throat, insomnia, and many other ailments.
Tidbits about Deborah Raney ~
Many of you know author Deborah Raney. She’s more than a heartwarming author; she’s a heartwarming person too. She encouraged me in my writing, gave critiques, and opened her heart to me at a time when it wouldn't have taken much to discourage me from writing. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, became a World Wide Pictures film of the same title. When I want to read for pleasure, I open a Deborah Raney novel. She has a new book that just hit the shelves...guess what I'll be doing this weekend?
My Clayburn Novels series, set in the small fictional town of Clayburn, Kansas, is based on my own experience living in several small Kansas towns. When I conceived the series, I highlighted the wonderful things about small-town life: everybody knows everybody, there's a true sense of belonging, you can leave your doors unlocked, old-fashioned morals and faith prevail. But as I've written these stories—and especially the newest book, Leaving November (where Jackson Linder is home from rehab, hoping for a fresh start), I've been forced to face some of the not-so-idyllic aspects of small-town life: everybody knows everybody's business, the gossip mill is alive and well, and once you gain a reputation, it's almost impossible to reinvent yourself. I think writing about characters who struggle with these things has made me much more sensitive and compassionate toward people who simply need a touch of God's grace.
To read about or order, click here:
 | Tidbits from my editor, Shannon [Hill] Marchese |
Recommended recent read: Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Timeless tale of redemption, forgiveness for past wrong, the folly of vanity, and caution of one’s influence.
Recommended Recent Read:
Andrew Peterson’s On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is a fun read for parents and kids about the three orphan Igiby kids and their search for the lost Jewels. Release date: March 18th!
To read about it or order, click here:
Recipes ~From the Esh Family Cookbook
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Coffee Party #1
submitted by Mrs. Sadie Beiler (Jonas)
| 1 pot of coffee | 3 cups sharing |
| 1 aromatic candle | 8 cups understanding |
| 1 tray of cookies | 3 hours meaningful conversation |
| 1 tray of fruit | dash of laughs |
| 14 bushels of friendship |
1 forenoon, preferably rainy or “snowy”
2 or more friends (If none are available, one hubby is a good substitute.)
Arrange coffee, candle, cookies, and fruit on a pretty tablecloth. Place friends around the table while mixing the last six ingredients. When done, tuck memories into warm heart and savor whenever you need a lift.
Chocolate-Filled Snowballs
submitted by Mrs. Ruthie Esh (Jerre)
| 1 cup soft margarine or butter | 2 cups flour |
| ½ cup sugar | 1 cup nuts, chopped |
| 1 tsp. vanilla | Hershey Kisses |
Beat margarine or butter, sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Stir in flour and nuts. Shape dough around Hershey Kisses, using about 1 tablespoon of dough. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. Remove and roll in powdered sugar.
A tidbit about Amish life
Amish schools are not supported by government money. I’m sure that doesn’t come as a surprise to most, but how do the Old Order Amish pay for their schools? One of the ways is to have a yearly school sale, which is actually an auction. The women work throughout the year canning, sewing quilts, and making handmade crafts. The men build an array of items, including wagons, baskets, and rockers. Both men and women provide baked goods and livestock. Even handyman services are auctioned off. Englischers within the community will often donate old televisions and electrical appliances, so it’s not unusual to find items at these sales the Amish never use.
Amish men provide all the chickens for grilling and help cook it to sell it the day of the auction, which goes really well with the desserts the women have spent all week preparing!
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