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A Conversation with Jan Drexler
January 22, 2016
Jan Drexler is the
descendant of Anabaptists who settled in Pennsylvania in the 1700s and then
migrated west. She's started a new series, Journey to Pleasant
Prairie, that is based in part on her own family's history as they journeyed
away from Pennsylvania. Join us in a conversation with Jan as she talks about
the series and the
first book, HANNAH’S
CHOICE, which is out now. Your ancestors were Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren. Did this ever cause
controversy within your family? I’m sure the controversy was there, but it was before my time. Most of my Amish
ancestors moved to the more liberal Amish Mennonite church during the Great
Schism in the Amish church in the late 1800’s, and from there to Mennonite and
German Baptist Brethren churches. One of the reasons I started writing was to explore that time of division. As I
study my family’s genealogy, it is apparent that the schism didn’t only cause
churches to split, but divided families. Parents and children, brothers and
sisters all found themselves on one side of the divide or the other. My stories
came about as I tried to explore how that would affect a family and the close
relationships within the community. Does a reader need to understand the Amish life to fully appreciate your
books? One of the things I try to do in my writing is to bring my readers along on a
journey of discovery of this group of people that lives outside of the typical
American culture. I think the only thing a reader needs to become involved in my
books is a healthy curiosity and a love of stories. Can you give your readers a hint about the next book in the series? The next book in the series, MATTIE’S PLEDGE, follows
Hannah’s family and neighbors as they travel west from Pennsylvania to Indiana.
The main characters are Hannah’s brother, Jacob, and Mattie, a girl from the
Somerset County settlement. There is adventure, a bit of suspense, and, of
course, plenty of romance. I think you’ll enjoy it! You have mentioned that you receive many story ideas from your parents
and grandparents. Is it important to you to stay true to these accounts, or do
you make changes to add intrigue or controversy? The story ideas that I get from my family history are starting points. Like
every family, we have oral histories of the great-grandfather who pioneered in a
certain area, or the great-aunt who was a flapper during the 1920’s. But once a
few generations have passed, we remember the story, but there isn’t anyone left
who remembers the person. What I do is research the facts behind the family
histories and try to give a personality to the people involved. I like to take the handed down tales and ask myself what kind of person would
have an adventure like the ones in the stories – what would drive them to make
the move from Pennsylvania to Indiana? And then a character evolves from my
musings. Not my ancestor, but someone who could have been in my family line. Your readers are very complimentary of your writing and stories. In your
opinion, what is the greatest compliment you have received from a fan? Why was
it significant to you? I am so humbled by the kind comments my readers make. I think one of the
greatest compliments I received was when a reader called my writing “tender.” I
love to become emotionally involved in the books I read – I want them to touch
my heart. I am thankful that my writing can touch other’s hearts in the same way. What new ideas do you explore in this series that may not have been
addressed in your previous books? My previous Amish books took place in the 1930’s, during the Great Depression.
Those characters struggled to remain separate from a changing world. At that
time, electricity, telephones, and automobiles were all making inroads into the
rural communities, which caused some strife as each church district made the
decisions of what new technologies to adopt and which to ignore. This series, beginning with HANNAH’S CHOICE, takes
place almost one hundred years earlier, just before the American Civil War. Not
only are there rumblings of the coming Schism within the Amish Church, but other
issues touch the characters’ lives – like the abolition of slavery and the
Underground Railroad. For a group who highly values the biblical directive to
obey the governmental authorities, how do they decide their role in these
controversies? Another idea I explore is the differences between three very similar groups –
the Amish, the Mennonites and the German Baptist Brethren (also known as
Dunkards). All three groups had similar roots in Europe, and all three were
descendants of the Anabaptists of the 1600’s. But the details that separated
them, as subtle as they appear to outsiders, made all the difference in the
world to those involved.
Jan Drexler grew up surrounded by books and storytellers. With pastors and
teachers populating both sides of her extended family, we aren’t surprised that
she wanted to be a first-class storyteller herself. She is the author of The
Prodigal Son Returns, A Mother for His Children, and A Home for His
Family. Born and raised in Michigan, Jan is the descendant of Amish,
Mennonite, and Brethren immigrants who settled in Berks, Somerset, and Lancaster
counties in Pennsylvania in mid-1700. Her first love was homeschooling,
but when her youngest son graduated she asked God to give her something useful
to do for the next phase of her life. The answer was a computer and the deep
well of family stories handed down from her parents and grandparents.
Hannah Yoder loves her quiet life on the banks of the Conestoga Creek. In
1842, this corner of Lancaster County is settled and peaceful--yet problems lurk
beneath the placid facade. Hannah's father worries about the spread of liberal
ideas from their Mennonite and Brethren neighbors. And Hannah blames herself for
a tragedy that struck their home nine years ago. She strives to be the one
person who can bind the threads of her family together in spite of her mother's
ongoing depression and her sister's rejection of their family. But her world is
threatening to unravel. When two young men seek her hand in marriage--one
offering the home she craves and the other promising the adventure of following
God's call west--Hannah must make a choice. Faithfully perform her duties to her
family? Or defy her father and abandon her community? With a tender hand,
Jan Drexler teases out the threads of a romance that will captivate readers in
this brand-new Amish historical series.
Comments
29 comments posted.
Re: A Conversation with Jan Drexler
gloria brzny 1-23-16
(Gloria Brzny 9:27am January 23, 2016)
We have some family roots in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties and love to take our grandchildren when we go to visit the area in search of family record answers to understand their past.
I think the Civil War caused many problems for the Amish conscience that we never have to deal with in everyday life. The war spilled into Pennsylvania and must have caused much heartbreak in families.
(Sharon Mitchell 9:53pm January 27, 2016)
I used tp live and work in Southern Maryland which has a
large Amizh and Mennonite community.
(Marissa Yip-Young 6:01am January 28, 2016)
Where I grew up in KY we had an Amish and Mennonite community. We often went there for veggies in the summer.
(Pam Howell 6:43am January 28, 2016)
I have never been around any of the Amish or Mennonites , only read about them in books . I think they are amazing people . They do without a lot of things that I couldn't , all the modern things we use everyday they've never had and don't want .They truly amaze me with their talents and their faith. I would love to read this book , thanks for the chance to win .
(Joan Thrasher 10:47am January 28, 2016)
would love to win
(Joanne Smukala 12:36pm January 28, 2016)
Fascinating! I have only read about the Amish as well - my first introduction to them was through the Nancy Drew book, The Witch Tree Symbol!
(Felicia Ciaudelli 1:04pm January 28, 2016)
I love reading stories of the Amish and Mennonite. Would love to win and
read Hannah's Choice.
(Gail Hollingsworth 2:47pm January 28, 2016)
I love this type of story, can't get enough of them.
(Wilma Frana 3:23pm January 28, 2016)
This opened my eyes to parts of America's religious history
that I hadn't been aware of.
(Richard Brandt 3:35pm January 28, 2016)
The Sisters in our Villa love Amish books. We have began reading them a
few years ago and now we are hooked. Have both the Amish and Amish
mysteries. These are books we feel comfortable reading. There are 95 of
us here and most are retired. Your book would be an addition to our
collection and a new author we can meet. Thank you for the contest.
Sister Julienne, osf
(Julienne Brandt 4:28pm January 28, 2016)
I have taken a buggy ride with an Amish girl and enjoyed it
very much. She encouraged and answered questions about her
life and those of the sect. I really enjoy Amish books and
would love to win.
(Marcia White 5:05pm January 28, 2016)
This post is fascinating and the book would be memorable.
(Sharon Berger 6:01pm January 28, 2016)
LOOKS LIKE A GOOD BOOK.
(Marsha Baurns 6:13pm January 28, 2016)
I love Amish books. We have a small Mennonite community . They bought
a large piece of land nearby and they have more planning to move here.
(Patty Wright 6:35pm January 28, 2016)
When we were first married, we lived in an area with a strong Mennonite presence... I remember one gentleman at the weekly farmers market that made the absolute best blueberry crumble pie... it was delicious!
(Sheryl Pike 7:54pm January 28, 2016)
I love reading Amish fiction. I hope to win. =)
(Ashley B. 8:24pm January 28, 2016)
There was a large Amish community in the small town in Ohio
where I went to college for a year. Ever since then the Amish
and Mennonites have fascinated me, that's why I enjoy reading
books about them.
(Diana Thomas 10:12pm January 28, 2016)
A small part of me is prejudiced, but I believe that
part of the specialty to your books is the fact that
you were raised in Michigan. Being from this State
seems to give not only Authors, but people in general
a special gift of some sort, and it shows in whatever
endeavor they strive to go after. If it happens to be
writing books, the books seem to have an extra special
something, and yours are no exception!! I'm looking
forward to your latest book, which I'm sure will do
very well!! Congratulations from a fellow
Michigander, and I'll have your book on my TBR list!!
(Peggy Roberson 7:10am January 29, 2016)
Love Amish fiction. Can't wait for a chance to read your
books.
(Leslie Davis 2:36pm January 29, 2016)
Your new book sounds wonderful. I love the time period
involved and also the theme of the book. We have visited
Lancaster, Penn. and I know there are many from of all
the different groups you have mentioned who all love and
worship God. Amish fiction is my favorite genre to read
and Hannahs' story sounds wonderful. Thanks for the
lovely interview.
(Maryann Skaritka 2:54pm January 29, 2016)
We have never had any Amish Mennonites in our family, but I like to rad about them.
(Carol Woodruff 7:58pm January 29, 2016)
Hi Jan, I've read several in this genre and can't wait to read yours!
(Linda Bass 8:09pm January 29, 2016)
Nice to give a better representation of these religions instead of the view broadcasted on TV!! Thanks!
(Shirley Bennett 10:02pm January 30, 2016)
I am very muchinterested in the Amish way of life and do much reading about them.
(Mary Baker 7:08am January 31, 2016)
I would love to read this book!
(Donna Klopper 4:47pm January 31, 2016)
We live in Ohio and knew a couple who were Amish and had left for a couple of years..That was the time we knew them...After they returned to their family and their religion we met them once and we both had children and they were involved with a restaurant in Sugarcreek called Der Dutchman...Since then the restaurants were sold and we have lost track of them...This was probable about 45 years ago.We have since gone there but cannot locate them...Just wondering what happened to them and would love to see them again.........We have great respect for their way of life...
(Karen Dieffenbaugher 5:01pm January 31, 2016)
Thank you for the chance to win and read this book.
(Cynthia Cook 5:14pm January 31, 2016)
It's inspiring how your writing career started after you
had homeschooled and raised your children. Great job, Jan.
(Terrill Rosado 10:17pm February 10, 2016)
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