Rose Anna is determined to bring her man back into the Amish fold–but he’s equally determined to live his life free and unencumbered. Barbara Cameron’s Home to Paradise (Abingdon Press) is the third in her Coming Home series. In this Q&A, Barbara explains her goals for the series, which character surprised her the most, and how she writes accurately about the Amish…
Q: HOME TO PARADISE IS THE THIRD BOOK IN A SERIES. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GOAL WRITING THIS SERIES?
My goal in writing the Coming Home series was to write about three young Amish women who see the men they love leave the community for the Englisch world. Each finds her own way to persuade the men to return.
Q: WHICH CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK SURPRISED YOU MOST?
The character that surprised me most as I was writing it was John in Home to Paradise, Book Three of the series. He wants to believe in God but has difficulty in seeing His hand in his life. John has a powerful surprise coming . . .
Q: HOW DO YOU APPROACH WRITING ABOUT THE AMISH IN A WAY THAT’S ACCURATE TO THEIR WAY OF LIFE?
I love writing about the Amish because I admire their simple way of life and how they apply their faith to their daily life.I have found writing about the Amish has profoundly affected my own life. I appreciate simple joys more and practice my faith every day.
I’ve visited the Amish community of Paradise, Pennsylvania, done extensive research, and consulted with both Amish friends and experts to make certain I am accurate in what I write.
Q: OUT OF ALL THE IDEAS JOCKEYING FOR YOUR ATTENTION – HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHICH STORY TO WRITE?
I don’t usually have trouble figuring out which idea I’ll work on next because I’m contracted for a series so I work on each in turn. Since each takes me six months to write I know where I’m going for a year and a half at a time after signing a contract.
Q: HOW DOES YOUR FAITH INFLUENCE HOW YOU APPROACH WRITING YOUR STORIES?
I like writing Christian fiction that inspires and gives hope. I don’t like reading a story that does what I call “Bible thumping” so my message is quiet but I hope meaningful. I am most influenced by a message that doesn’t hit me over the head so I try to write a story that way.