Linda Shenton Matchett: Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Amy Grochowski

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Amy Grochowski

Linda: Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your debut novel Forever Home and second release The Christmas Visitor. Where did you find your inspiration for these stories, and did you set out with the intention of writing a series?

Amy: Thank you for having me, Linda. The inspiration for the series is two-fold, I suppose. First, there’s the romantic magic of the setting, Prince Edward Island, and then the mysterious appeal of the Amish. My personal experience with the Amish comes from having lived in a small, predominantly Mennonite community for several years and working for a Beachy Amish family. So, when I learned that Canadian Amish communities were settling on Prince Edward Island in early 2016, this series idea was born in my heart and mind.

LM: Research is important for any book. How did you go about researching your books, and was there an especially interesting fact you wanted to include in the stories?

Amy: I love research. Of course, I love to read, which means I do an enormous amount of research

through books and articles. I also try to fact check my ideas by talking to Anabaptist friends. While writing The Christmas Visitor, I wanted to include a genuine feel for PEI during Christmas. While I couldn’t travel to the island during that time, I was able to connect with PEI residents through Facebook, which was a lot of fun.

LM: Are any of your characters based on you or people you know?

Amy: Our experience and history shapes us and our stories, that’s undeniable, really. But these characters are truly fictional. Lydia, Joel, and Samy did become very real to me as their story developed. So did Mattie and Winston in the Christmas novella. They are all fictional, but very real to me.

LM: You had a full career in nursing before becoming an author. What made you decide to seek publication and what was your writing journey like?

Amy: Nursing was a rabbit trail, for me. I always wanted to be an author. Life took some twists and turns I couldn’t foresee, and nursing was a great plan B—for which I am very grateful. I loved being a nurse, but the day came when the dream to write reawakened. Fortunately, I have a supportive spouse who encouraged me to go for it. I entered contests, joined writer’s groups, took courses, fell flat on my face, and kept re-writing. I learned to make criticism my ally. The journey to publication was a marathon, not a sprint. Honestly, after publication the marathon continues, so I’m glad I love writing. I hate running, by the way. I’m much happier with a pen… or keyboard. lol

LM: How do you balance your writing career with your home schooling responsibilities?

Amy: My boys are getting older, so they don’t require as much one-on-one supervision, which helps. We keep a routine, so everyone knows what is expected. I have dedicated writing hours early in the morning, as well, before the school day even starts. There’s also flexibility with homeschooling, so even though we have a schedule, I can make changes as needed for work. For us, it’s all normal.

LM: What is your next project?

Amy: I’m finishing up the next book in the series, Runaway Home, and also working on a devotional of the book of Philippians.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Amy: My Facebook page or Goodreads are my favorite social media hang-outs. I also find email is a great way to stay in touch. In fact, if readers go to my website and sign up for my email newsletter, they will get a free Prequel Chapter to the Amish Dreams on Prince Edward Island series. I love hearing from readers and email is a terrific way for us to stay in touch.

Website and Email Sign-up: https://www.amygrochowski.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amygrochowski

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20100379.Amy_Grochowski