Leela Patel asked Patrick E. Craig:

When writing the Apple Creek Dreams series, did you draw inspiration from real Amish families or communities?

Patrick E. Craig I wrote the first book because I was challenged by an editor from Harvest House to send him a story idea. He wanted an Amish quilting story. So I researched the locations where the biggest Amish quilting fairs were held and came up with Dalton, Ohio. As I looked at a Google map of the area I saw a little village called Apple Creek about fifteen miles from Dalton. I thought, "What a perfect place for an Amish book." And so began my relationship with Apple Creek, Ohio. I found out later that my great great grandfather came to the west from Independence, Ohio which is about forty miles from Apple Creek. So I have roots there I never knew about.

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