J. Willis Sanders's Blog
September 11, 2021
Understanding the Colors of Eliza Gray
For prospective readers, I thought I'd share a little about The Colors of Eliza Gray, as well as the entire series.
Some rare negative feedback (well, some rare VERY negative feedback) says no Amish people would ever do some of the things my characters do.
Amish people are humans. Humans will often do things they never thought they would do, especially when it comes to making choices about loved ones.
Unfortunately, all it takes to reinforce the above statement is how some Amish, like regular people, commit various crimes, evidenced by a quick internet search. Since that's the case, isn't it possible for some Amish to make unique decisions concerning family based on love?
For those who have read this novel, Eliza's father, Absalom, loved her without question. Should we doubt a love like this from a father who would do anything to make his deaf daughter happy, especially when he blamed himself for some of the trials she suffered because of her deafness? As a father of my own daughter, my experience says no.
There are other examples, but I'd rather not give away any of the plot.
In closing, I think love and hope are humanity's strongest and best emotions. Ideally, we use them to empathize with each other, to connect with each other, and those traits are strongest in loving families like Eliza's, which can be one of those amazingly positive traits of the Amish.
Best to you in your reading,
J.
Some rare negative feedback (well, some rare VERY negative feedback) says no Amish people would ever do some of the things my characters do.
Amish people are humans. Humans will often do things they never thought they would do, especially when it comes to making choices about loved ones.
Unfortunately, all it takes to reinforce the above statement is how some Amish, like regular people, commit various crimes, evidenced by a quick internet search. Since that's the case, isn't it possible for some Amish to make unique decisions concerning family based on love?
For those who have read this novel, Eliza's father, Absalom, loved her without question. Should we doubt a love like this from a father who would do anything to make his deaf daughter happy, especially when he blamed himself for some of the trials she suffered because of her deafness? As a father of my own daughter, my experience says no.
There are other examples, but I'd rather not give away any of the plot.
In closing, I think love and hope are humanity's strongest and best emotions. Ideally, we use them to empathize with each other, to connect with each other, and those traits are strongest in loving families like Eliza's, which can be one of those amazingly positive traits of the Amish.
Best to you in your reading,
J.
July 4, 2021
The Inspiration For The Colors of Eliza Gray
Several years ago, I happened upon a documentary about deaf children in remote African villages, where they had no access to sign language.
The story followed a boy whose life was mostly work. Even if a regular school was nearbyThe Colors of Eliza GrayJ. Willis Sanders, he couldn't go.
The documentary team took him to another village with a sign language school. When he understood how the teacher was teaching him to communicate, he broke out into what may have been his first smile in his life.
I admit, it brought a tear to my eye, and that's what inspired The Colors of Eliza Gray.
The story followed a boy whose life was mostly work. Even if a regular school was nearbyThe Colors of Eliza GrayJ. Willis Sanders, he couldn't go.
The documentary team took him to another village with a sign language school. When he understood how the teacher was teaching him to communicate, he broke out into what may have been his first smile in his life.
I admit, it brought a tear to my eye, and that's what inspired The Colors of Eliza Gray.
April 28, 2021
Reaching new heights
The Colors of Eliza Gray has been out twelve days.
I never expected it to get on Amazon's Top 100 bestseller list for Amish and Mennonite books this soon.
Or if ever.
#42!!!
Is writing cool or what?
I never expected it to get on Amazon's Top 100 bestseller list for Amish and Mennonite books this soon.
Or if ever.
#42!!!
Is writing cool or what?
