Almost there!
Well, it's 2:30 a.m. here on the east coast and I'm about to turn off the computer and go to bed.
I started writing in the evening back when my children were young and I still find I do my best work then. Not that I wanted to stay up this late but I have a deadline looming over me. I finished the second book in the Quilts of Lancaster County tonight (it's called A Time for Peace) but there's still some work to do on it. But I love the story and the way Chris and Hannah fall in love in spite of their differences. Quite a few surprises popped up as I wrote -- I love this part of writing -- and so many ideas for the third book in the series, A Time for Healing that I had to jot down. Writing Book 2 is a challenge. It's not easy making books in a series stand alone so that readers don't have to buy each one..and then I had to make sure that I set up situations within the second book for the third one...you get the idea. But I love a challenge.
Writing this entry tonight made me think of Beth's Daughter of the Promise series. Her first book did very well and readers bought the ones that followed. What was really interesting was how many people came upon the second or third book in the series without having read the first and wrote in various places (here, Facebook, etc.) how they'd just discovered her and were going to go buy Plain Pursuit, her first book, to see how the whole thing started.
As I opened the site tonight to write this blog, I saw that a reader wrote a comment responding to Kathy's blog that Amazon.com let her know that the first book of Quilts of Lancaster County was available for pre-order. Thanks, Cathey Buchta! That was great news! It makes me feel that things are moving along on the series. As soon as I hear that Advance Reading Copies (ARCs) I promise that I will run a contest to give some away...I have also lined up a number of neat goodies to give away using the theme of the books. I'll start those contests probably in July...
I got out of the house on Thursday and went to the bookstore, one of my very favorite places, and picked up copies of the latest books by my buddies here at AmishHearts. I'd already gotten Kathy's An Honest Love so I could participate in the AmishLiving.com online book club discussion (great fun!) and now I needed Beth's Plain Paradise and Amy's A Promise of Hope. While I was there, I got two other books. Yes, the bookstore manager was very happy to see me. I'm the kind of person who has to have books as much as food...years ago, when I got my first royalty check, I told the family I wanted to go right then to three places: the bookstore for books I'd been wanting (I was a stay at home mom while I launched my writing career so money was tight), the office supply store (where I could get a big locking storage cabinet to keep sticky little fingers out of my office supplies), and then take the family out to dinner. The celebration dinner became a tradition we keep to this day.
I think I'm rambling. Time to go to bed and get some sleep so I can get back to work again in the a.m. Hoping you have a good weekend and have lots of good books -- particularly by my pals Beth, Kathy, and Amy -- to read!
Blessings!
Barbara
I started writing in the evening back when my children were young and I still find I do my best work then. Not that I wanted to stay up this late but I have a deadline looming over me. I finished the second book in the Quilts of Lancaster County tonight (it's called A Time for Peace) but there's still some work to do on it. But I love the story and the way Chris and Hannah fall in love in spite of their differences. Quite a few surprises popped up as I wrote -- I love this part of writing -- and so many ideas for the third book in the series, A Time for Healing that I had to jot down. Writing Book 2 is a challenge. It's not easy making books in a series stand alone so that readers don't have to buy each one..and then I had to make sure that I set up situations within the second book for the third one...you get the idea. But I love a challenge.
Writing this entry tonight made me think of Beth's Daughter of the Promise series. Her first book did very well and readers bought the ones that followed. What was really interesting was how many people came upon the second or third book in the series without having read the first and wrote in various places (here, Facebook, etc.) how they'd just discovered her and were going to go buy Plain Pursuit, her first book, to see how the whole thing started.
As I opened the site tonight to write this blog, I saw that a reader wrote a comment responding to Kathy's blog that Amazon.com let her know that the first book of Quilts of Lancaster County was available for pre-order. Thanks, Cathey Buchta! That was great news! It makes me feel that things are moving along on the series. As soon as I hear that Advance Reading Copies (ARCs) I promise that I will run a contest to give some away...I have also lined up a number of neat goodies to give away using the theme of the books. I'll start those contests probably in July...
I got out of the house on Thursday and went to the bookstore, one of my very favorite places, and picked up copies of the latest books by my buddies here at AmishHearts. I'd already gotten Kathy's An Honest Love so I could participate in the AmishLiving.com online book club discussion (great fun!) and now I needed Beth's Plain Paradise and Amy's A Promise of Hope. While I was there, I got two other books. Yes, the bookstore manager was very happy to see me. I'm the kind of person who has to have books as much as food...years ago, when I got my first royalty check, I told the family I wanted to go right then to three places: the bookstore for books I'd been wanting (I was a stay at home mom while I launched my writing career so money was tight), the office supply store (where I could get a big locking storage cabinet to keep sticky little fingers out of my office supplies), and then take the family out to dinner. The celebration dinner became a tradition we keep to this day.
I think I'm rambling. Time to go to bed and get some sleep so I can get back to work again in the a.m. Hoping you have a good weekend and have lots of good books -- particularly by my pals Beth, Kathy, and Amy -- to read!
Blessings!
Barbara
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 4/30/2010 12:26 AM 
Categories: Quilts of Lancaster County series, Barbara Cameron
Tags: Amish fiction
Categories: Quilts of Lancaster County series, Barbara Cameron
Tags: Amish fiction
Barbara, I so enjoy reading these entries here at Amish Hearts. You mentioned going to the local bookstore and how much you like it. Made me giggle because I'm the same way. I love going to the local bookstores and finding something new. When I seem glum or in a crappy mood, and my hubby wants to get me out of that mood, he will look at me and say, "want to go to the bookstore?" Like I don't see right through that! But it always manages to put a smile on my face! Just because he knows me so well- and I get to go get another book! Ahhh, its the simple things in life! See you at Amish Living!
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Suzanna,
Thanks for saying you're enjoying AmishHearts.
Sounds like you have a keeper there for a hubby -- a guy who understands how you feel about books! Lucky you!
And thanks for the second note about the progress of my series. I hope everyone enjoys it. Can't wait for it to come out. Patience, I tell myself. Patience.
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By the way, I sent my message before I got a chance to congratulate you on the progress of your series! I am excited to read them! I can't wait!!
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Another good place to look for books coming out is ChristianBooks.com --- I have about 30 on my "wishlist" that will be coming out between now and the end of the year! They have a wonderful selection of Amish Fiction book.
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I seem to be lost now in which books are to be out and the ones that are alreaady avaiable.. I am waiting for A Promise of Hope and I usually get my books from Walmart, I don't like ordering them online and the bookstores are too far away to be making frequent trips to go get them, but, if I am at a store and I can afford it, I always pick up one that I have been waiting for..There are so many books and series now that you all are working on that I guess that's why I'm lost on which books are out and which ones you are still working on...
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Rose,
I know some readers who keep a little notebook of their favorite authors so they can check off their favorite books. I'm going to try that because I picked up a book the other day thinking I MAY have gotten it before. The titles are so similar in one series it's easy to do. Anyway, Amy's book you mentioned is out now because I got it, as is Beth's Plain Proposal and Kathy's An Honest Love and her new YA title is out soon. And my next book isn't out until Sept.
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Barbara, I just had to tell you, I actually keep a small notebook in my purse that I have written all the books that I want and who the author is, and when they are coming out so that I can get them and I don't forget. Never mentioned that to anyone cause I was beginning to think I was a little "ab im kopp"! Now I know that even if I am, at least I'm not alone!!!
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Suzanna,
I had a friend who owned a used bookstore and some of her customers came in with notebooks like that. They're really helpful!
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Hello friends, At one time I made sure that I wrote down the books that way on a piece of paper, but, when I was caught up on what books were out and the ones I wanted, I quit, but, I'll have to do just that, Barbara and write them all in a "notebook" as I do have several around here..(notebooks) I know the one book I mentioned is out,but it just hasn't made it to my local "Walmart"yet..Thank You all and have a wonderful night.
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I always carry a small phone directory with me- in it, I have my favorite authors, in alphabetical order, and the list of their books that I have already read. Then when a cover changes, I don't buy a second copy- don't laugh, I have done it more than once!! Then a friend profits by getting a surprise gift!! LOL!
I can hardly wait for this new series!! Quilting is near and dear to my heart!! And so is Amish Hearts- I have gotten so much from this site- info on books and the Amish, caring friends and prayer support. What more can you ask for?? May God bless you wonderful ladies for sharing your talents with us and for the readers who respond to your articles. I eagerly await each entry.
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