Ask the Author: Vannetta Chapman
Answered Questions (21)
Vannetta Chapman
Hi Laura. Thanks for reading my Agatha books. As far as I know, that series is finished (though, never say never). You can see all of my cozy mysteries here https://vannettachapman.com/books/?_s....
Vannetta Chapman
I'm reading like a crazy person. I've always been an "avid" reader, but now I'm devouring books in 2 or 3 days. Maybe because it's so hot. Maybe because I'm intentionally trying to be on my phone less. :) Either way, it's all good.
Vannetta Chapman
Thanks for asking, Gail. You can see my entire booklist here. https://vannettachapman.com/book-list/
All are still available in ebook. Many are still available in print, and of course, a few are available in audio.
Happy reading!
All are still available in ebook. Many are still available in print, and of course, a few are available in audio.
Happy reading!
Vannetta Chapman
Hi Gail. Thanks for reading my books. I have several reprints in 2022. My next new release is The Amish Twins Next Door ... on shelves in late April. Here is the CBD link. https://www.christianbook.com/the-ami...
Vannetta Chapman
I've begun reading more. I'm forcing myself to limit how much I watch the news. lol. It's helped. Reading always helps, IMO.
Vannetta Chapman
Hi Tambra. First of all, thanks for ordering Dead Wrong. All the books ordered from my on-line store are autographed, and I try to remember to include a few bookmarks, etc.
As far as Agatha's Amish B&B series, book 2 will release later this year. Thank you so much for reading!
As far as Agatha's Amish B&B series, book 2 will release later this year. Thank you so much for reading!
Vannetta Chapman
That’s a great question, Mary.
First of all, I use an excel chart. There end up being a lot of characters in a novel, and I don’t want to use the same name twice. So the chart helps.
Secondly, when I’m writing that book, I’m pretty focused on that one story line. So the people become real to me. Just like you wouldn’t forget the name of your best friend, I’m not likely to forget the names of my characters. The only real problem comes when you’re writing one book and editing another. Then things can become confusing...and the chart is a big help!
First of all, I use an excel chart. There end up being a lot of characters in a novel, and I don’t want to use the same name twice. So the chart helps.
Secondly, when I’m writing that book, I’m pretty focused on that one story line. So the people become real to me. Just like you wouldn’t forget the name of your best friend, I’m not likely to forget the names of my characters. The only real problem comes when you’re writing one book and editing another. Then things can become confusing...and the chart is a big help!
Vannetta Chapman
For me, many times story ideas start with a character. That character may be someone I know, someone I read about on the news, or even someone I envision from a song.
For instance, we had visited a place in Indiana where an Amish man built tiny houses for non-Amish people. They were pretty amazing. I didn’t think much more about it at the time, but as I was writing a novella for Harper Collins Christian Publishing, I had a girl with claustrophobia, and that man who built tiny houses popped back into my mind. Wouldn’t that be funny? If a woman with claustrophobia and a man who built tiny houses fell in love... Ha! Once I had the idea the story pretty much wrote itself. Thank you for your question!
For instance, we had visited a place in Indiana where an Amish man built tiny houses for non-Amish people. They were pretty amazing. I didn’t think much more about it at the time, but as I was writing a novella for Harper Collins Christian Publishing, I had a girl with claustrophobia, and that man who built tiny houses popped back into my mind. Wouldn’t that be funny? If a woman with claustrophobia and a man who built tiny houses fell in love... Ha! Once I had the idea the story pretty much wrote itself. Thank you for your question!
Vannetta Chapman
Hi Joy. Thanks for the question. You’re correct that there aren’t many Amish in Texas and none in California that I know of. My dad’s family is from Pennsylvania. When my agent asked me to try writing Amish, I started there...with what I knew and could learn about Pennsylvania.
Vannetta Chapman
Thanks so much, Janice. There's always a possibility that a publisher will request more in a series. In this case, the publisher--Harvest House--no longer publishes fiction. However, I might be able to write one on my own or another publisher might pick it up. I grew quite attached to Henry and Emma too! :)
Vannetta Chapman
HOW did a girl from Los Angeles end up in small town Texas writing cozy mysteries and dystopian fiction? Now that is a mystery!
Vannetta Chapman
Hi Tanya. Thanks so much of your question. I don't have any more Amish mystery series planned ... but rest assured there is plenty of mystery/suspense in my upcoming releases. :)
Also I have a Christian dystopian series (not Amish) releasing this summer that I'm very excited about. Book 1 is Deep Shadows, and I'll share more about that as we get closer to the release date.
Also I have a Christian dystopian series (not Amish) releasing this summer that I'm very excited about. Book 1 is Deep Shadows, and I'll share more about that as we get closer to the release date.
Vannetta Chapman
Hi Kay. Yes, the Middlebury series (Amish Village Mystery series) is only 3 books. So if you know anyone who likes to wait until all the books are out, tell them that June 9th is their day!
Vannetta Chapman
I haven't been there myself, Vera. But AmishAmerica has some good information.
Jamesport - http://amishamerica.com/amish-jamespo...
And here is there page on Iowa, including Kanloa - http://amishamerica.com/iowa-amish/
Have a great trip, and thank you!
Jamesport - http://amishamerica.com/amish-jamespo...
And here is there page on Iowa, including Kanloa - http://amishamerica.com/iowa-amish/
Have a great trip, and thank you!
Vannetta Chapman
Hi Ruth. I'm so glad you enjoyed the Shipshe stories! As far as I know, there is not a sequel planned. However, if you enjoyed those, you might enjoy my series set in Middlebury Indiana. The first is Murder Simply Brewed and the second is Murder Tightly Knit - both are now available. Thanks for the question!
Vannetta Chapman
My most recent book is Murder Tightly Knit. I actually got the main idea (for the person who committed the murder) from the news! But much of the background of the story comes from my visits to Middlebury, Indiana.
Vannetta Chapman
I use several different things--music, outside walks, time away from the computer, movies. Lots of things can inspire us as writers. HOWEVER, I don't wait to be inspired before I sit down to write. I write. Every day. And sometimes that feels "inspired" and sometimes it doesn't, but in the end I hope what I have completed is something that inspires my readers.
Vannetta Chapman
Currently I'm juggling several things. I'm working on a novella that will be released as a prequel to my Plain & Simple Miracles series. I'm also working on edits for book 3 in my Amish Village Mystery series. And lastly, I'm working on a inspirational romantic suspense series which begins with the upcoming release, Hidden.
Vannetta Chapman
To keep writing!
Too often, I see aspiring writers completing one book and then becoming discouraged when it doesn't sell. Or maybe they keep working on that same book for years.
I think it's important to move on and to keep writing.
The first book I sold was the 9th book I wrote!
So hang in there.
Too often, I see aspiring writers completing one book and then becoming discouraged when it doesn't sell. Or maybe they keep working on that same book for years.
I think it's important to move on and to keep writing.
The first book I sold was the 9th book I wrote!
So hang in there.
Vannetta Chapman
There are many good things about being a writer.
The usual--working in your pjs, a short commute, the ability to set your own hours and no boss to ask if you want a long lunch break. But for me, the best part is simply sharing the joy of God's love, and then receiving responses from readers. That's a connection that is invaluable, and writing is the vehicle that creates it.
The usual--working in your pjs, a short commute, the ability to set your own hours and no boss to ask if you want a long lunch break. But for me, the best part is simply sharing the joy of God's love, and then receiving responses from readers. That's a connection that is invaluable, and writing is the vehicle that creates it.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more