Fresh Fiction Blog | Laura Bradford

One of my favorite parts of writing my Amish Mysteries is the time I get to spend in Lancaster County, PA, prior to each new book.

The tidbits I learn each and every time I visit the area where the largest contingent of Old Order Amish live (followed closely by Holmes County, Ohio) can—and do—fill pages and pages of my research notebook. And, sure enough, somewhere in those notes is the beginning of my plot.

Take for instance my newest release, ASSAULTED PRETZEL (book # 2 in the series). That story was birthed around the following facts:

* Old Order Amish families average about seven children each, with some homes having as many as twelve. It is because of these large families that the Amish population is doubling every 20 years.

* With such rapid growth, the amount of available farm land in Lancaster County is shrinking. It is for this reason that many Amish either a) move to another part of the country to find land or b) find alternate ways to make money.

I believe it was shortly after hearing that second fact that the story-generating wheels began to turn inside my head. Within days, I had the plot for ASSAULTED PRETZEL mapped out from start to finish with the bulk of the story hinging around a major toy manufacturer and his offer to have members of my small Amish community help him with a new line of wooden toys—an offer he promptly retracts.

And, in changing his mind, he became the perfect victim amid a town full of worthy suspects.

(Oh, how I love it when that happens)

Of course, I had to do lots more research to color in the rest of the story, but those two tidbits were certainly the ones that sent me off and running.

As for the tidbits that served as a springboard for Book # 3 (which will release in March 2014)? I'll share those with you next time...

Hearse And Buggy
Amish Mystery
#1.0
June 2012

Assaulted Pretzel
Amish Mystery
#2.0
March 2013

Laura Bradford is the author of The Amish Mysteries. ASSAULTED PRETZEL, the second book in this cozy mystery series, debuted last week. For more information about the book (including a sneak peek at the first chapter), visit Laura's website: www.laurabradford.com .

As a reader have you ever dreamed up something about people you see, or a custom or fact? One commenter will be randomly chosen to receive a copy of ASSAULTED PRETZEL.

Comments

I enjoy Amish fiction, and putting a bit of a spin in it
makes it that much better !! Thanks for the chance to win..
have a great day .. Rosemary
(Rosemary Foley 4:55am March 13, 2013)

people watching is a great thing to do and of course you always give certain ones names, what are they doing, who are they meeting, where are they going...its all fun.
(Lisa Fitzgibbons 7:36am March 13, 2013)

I love watching body language of people in restaurants...and then imagine different scenarios to fit it. (Thanks for the chance to win - I really enjoyed the first book in this series as well as your Jenkins and Burns series.)
(Linda Kuzminczuk 8:32am March 13, 2013)

Your books sound wonderful. Thanks for a chance to win. But even if I don't, I now have both your books to get and read. Yippee. Best of luck with them.
(Nancy Reynolds 9:32am March 13, 2013)

Yes, I also LOVE the title...This really sounds ike a nice book to read. Thanks
(Bonnie Capuano 10:37am March 13, 2013)

What a great piece of inspiration from your research! Well done and - how did you get Harlan Coben to give you a quote on the cover?
(Clare O'Beara 10:54am March 13, 2013)

Wow. Sounds like a good book to read at night before going to bed.
(Milagros Gagliano 4:04pm March 13, 2013)

Love reading anything Amish. I wish I could write from all
that I've seen or heard into a couple books.
(Karen Gervais 4:35pm March 13, 2013)

I have not read many Amish books but I do like to learn about religions and regions. You must have done a lots of research. Appreciate the book giveaway.
(Leona Olson 5:15pm March 13, 2013)

I love to watch couples and try to figure out just what brought them together.
We have Amish in our community, a wonderful group of people.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 6:25pm March 13, 2013)

I work in a hotel,so I people watch all the time. I did have a grandmother that was the champion.
(Sheila True 6:38pm March 13, 2013)

I have not yet deamed up anything about people or custom but it is definitely something to think about doing
(Dwight Younger 7:03pm March 13, 2013)

I would love to read how you brought this together. Sounds very interesting.
(Penny Mettert 8:14pm March 13, 2013)

waiting in lines (especially at the grocery store) is an excellent time to people watch and try to sort out the meals they might be making with the ingredients they've buying. I never mind waiting in line - there's so much to ponder!
(Beth Fuller 8:38pm March 13, 2013)

Nope. No imagination, lol. And I envy you being able to spend time around the Amish. I have never been anywhere around them and just think they are fascinating.
(Vicki Hancock 8:38pm March 13, 2013)

When I'm out and about around people, I think that I'm not alone when I say that I people watch, and imagine, just by appearance, what type of life they lead. I do this a lot when I'm standing in line at the grocery store. You can't help but notice what a person has in their grocery basket. Sometimes I'll notice a person when I'm at a restaurant with my Husband, and my mind starts to wander a bit as well. I'm looking forward to reading your latest book, and wanted to tell you that whoever did your cover did an excellent job!! The colors take your breath away, and the artwork is very lifelike!! Congratulations!!
(Peggy Roberson 8:38pm March 13, 2013)

No I haven't dreamed up anything but I may have to give it a try. I have read several books about the Amish and have enjoyed them.
(Rita Wray 8:53pm March 13, 2013)

I do that all the time. I come up with the perfect story for people that I've met once, hundreds of times, or not at all and I just know their names. I'm working on writing it all, but it's really hard. Hope you have a good day and continue writing :)
(Meghan Anderson 10:29pm March 13, 2013)

What great titles!! Would love to win. Thanks for the chance.
(Martha Lawson 10:44pm March 13, 2013)

I have always thought the Amish community was close to simple life since the crime rate in their communities are not reported to the outside world. The book is interesting for me to read.
(Kai Wong 10:44pm March 13, 2013)

I love the Amish people and being a farm girl from Kansas.
My Mom and I would go eat at their great restaurant when
going to Hutchinson, KS and they make great gifts too. This
Info might help with your New Books in the future. Best of
luck and love your book title too. Welcome to Yoder, Kansas

In 1906, A.M. Switzer plotted the little town of Yoder as a
central point for surrounding Amish communities. Today,
Yoder is still considered to be that. Though many businesses
and homes have moved in around Yoder, the picturesque town
has stayed the same size.

With the emergence of new business, Yoder has
prospered, inviting visitors to take a step back in time and
enjoy Amish settlement. The town is a quaint mixture of the
past and present, as horse buggies are intermingled with
cars and trucks. Many businesses cater to the tourist trade,
making it convenient to enjoy this wonderful Amish
community.

Yoder welcomes its visitors to enjoy the simplicity of
the past with comforts of the present.

Many of Yoder's finest merchants are featured on this
web site. Click on any of the links to the left to see all
that Yoder has to offer.
Assaulted Pretzel is a great title and I would love to win
this great contest. Thanks, Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 10:53pm March 13, 2013)

yoderkansas.com can give you more details.Yoder, Kansas
Quick Facts

Founded: 1889
Elevation: 1539 feet
Latitude: 37° 56' 25" N
Longitude: 97° 52' 05" W
School District: USD 312
ZIP code: 67585
Area Code: 620
Thanks again for the great contest. Thanks, Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 10:56pm March 13, 2013)

I love the play on words in your titles! I'm always putting myself into roles I see on tv or in movies - especially mysteries. Things like how would I do this, would I do it the same or because of my past training and education would I do it differently
(Janis Milford 10:56pm March 13, 2013)

I love to people watch and make up stories about them!
(Michelle Schafer 12:00pm March 14, 2013)

I do like people watching, but I don't think I've dreamed up
anything about them.
(Mary Preston 5:48am March 14, 2013)

If I'm eating alone in a restaurant my mind can really wander and come up with all sorts of stories about other diners.
(Sue Farrell 10:39am March 14, 2013)

I love people watching - thankfully my DH and children love this and play along. Why is that woman only buying trash bags - for her husband's body parts that are waiting to be disposed of - even the way people are in their cars bring stories about them alive.
A interesting tidbit of the Amish came from one excommunicated that I knew - there was a large community in Costa Rica.
(Carla Carlson 12:32pm March 14, 2013)

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The books of May are here—fresh, fierce, and full of feels.

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