Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Author of: Temptation
The link to my review of Temptation is here
Bio:
Interview:
1)
How did you come up with the idea to write about
the Amish? Is any of this story related to real life events?
I was inspired to write TEMPTATION from my observations of
the young Amish people of the community I moved into four and a half years
ago. Immediately upon settling into the
new farm, a parade of Amish teens arrived to participate in the riding
activities I held on a weekly basis.
Watching the interactions between the Amish teens and the non-Amish ones
(the Amish call anyone not Amish, English) caused the idea of the forbidden
love affair between Noah and Rose to sprout in my mind. Although, TEMPTATION is completely fictional,
there have been several Amish/English relationships within the community. One in particular ended with the Amish girl
leaving her culture to marry her English boyfriend. The girl was shunned by her family and
community, but didn’t regret her decision.
2)
What was your inspiration for this book?
The Amish community I live in was the inspiration for
TEMPTATION, along with an adult Amish mystery I’m currently working on. I quickly learned upon moving into the
community that the Amish culture is intriguing on many levels. It’s not always the cute and cozy world that
people dream about. They deal with many
of the same issues that non-Amish people do.
Marital and family problems, financial stress, rebellious children and
clashes between families in the community are commonplace. I wanted to write my Amish fictional stories
with the realness that I’ve witnessed myself.
3)
Do you have a certain time of the day where you
like to write, and any special rituals that go with your writing?
Much of the time I was writing TEMPTATION, I was sitting in
my car waiting for my Amish neighbors to finish their shopping or other
activities. I drove the Amish for a
couple of years to make extra income and further immerse myself in the culture. Being so close to the people I was writing
about definitely added to the flow of ideas.
Otherwise, my favorite time to write is early afternoon, before the kids
arrive home from school.
4)
If it was possible would you ever be able to
turn Amish and leave your old life and technology behind?
That’s an easy one—no way!
The parts about the Amish culture I admire most are living on a farm and
the simplicity of the lifestyle. Those
are things that can be accomplished without joining a regimented group of
people, living within the guidelines of strict rules. I love music and driving my car way too much
to ever make the transition.
5)
What was your most enjoyable memory researching
for this book?
There have been many moments that stick in my mind, but one
day in particular was extra special. I
drove a large Amish family to a property that the oldest son had
purchased. The young man had been
crippled in a buggy/semi-truck accident that killed one of his sisters and her
boyfriend. The property was mostly
wooded, with some pretty meadows dotting the landscape. I joined the parents and siblings in cleaning
out the small trailer house that sat on the property and clearing brush from
around the building. When the work was
completed, we sat around a bonfire, enjoying some excellent Amish food and
singing hymns (the Amish can sing hymns without the accompaniment of
instruments, but they can’t listen to any music themselves). The love that each family member had for each
other was very evident that night.
Giveaway time!(This giveaway is international)
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The last day to enter this giveaway
is September 18 at midnight
find Karen on facebook here
and don't forget to like her book on facebook here
