Part 1—Anna’s Healing Interview with Vannetta Chapman
It’s countdown week at AmishReader.com! Anna’s Healing (Book 1 in the Plain & Simple Miracles series) releases this Thursday, and we’re celebrating with a series of fun little interviews with author Vannetta Chapman. Let’s discover something new about this prolific Amish-fiction author and dive into the major themes of her new book!
Today’s interview takes us back to the good ol’ school days with a multiple choice quiz…
Vannetta Gets Quizzed
1. If you weren’t a novelist, you would be…
- A journalist
- A farmer
- A nurse
- A secretary at a nonprofit
Vannetta explains: I published 150 articles before the novel-bug hit me. I like researching and trying to provide perspective on difficult topics. It’s a rewarding job, and one that would definitely be fun to do.
2. The best thing about autumn is…
- The colors
- The food
- Wandering through a corn maze
- Cozy evenings by the fire
Vannetta explains: We don’t have a lot of color in most of Texas—it’s mainly blue sky, green from crops and trees, and the rest is brown owing to a perpetual drought. We had record floods in June, and then not a drop of rain in July and August. All that explains why I love fall color. I like to plant any type of flower with color in it, and when I have the chance to see fall leaves, I’m thrilled!
3. The character from Anna’s Healing who most resembles you is…
- Anna Schwartz
- Ruth Schwartz
- Jacob Graber
- Chloe Roberts
Vannetta explains: Chloe is dedicated to doing a good job, but she finds herself putting people before the story. I can relate to that! While I taught, the students always came first—before testing or administrative tasks or grading. I also like that Chloe provides a type of bridge between the Amish and the Englisch. As a novelist, that’s one of my goals.
4. The most interesting topic you researched for the book was…
- Miraculous healings
- Oklahoma Amish communities
- Journalism
- Natural disasters
Vannetta explains: I did quite a bit of research on miracles—modern day as well as those found in Scripture. It’s a fascinating topic, and one that causes me to pause and consider my faith. I also did a survey on my Facebook page. We had 330 people respond that they did believe in miracles and 3 respond “maybe.” No one said they did not believe in miracles.
5. If you could take any mode of transportation, you’d travel by…
- Bus
- Tractor
- Buggy
- Car
Vannetta explains: I would choose a buggy as long as I don’t have to hitch up the horse! But seriously, I love walking and bike riding. Anything that slows me down and causes me to actually look at the area around me, that’s a good mode of transportation.
Your turn! Which answers would you pick for this quiz? Let us know in the comments, and join us tomorrow for Part 2 of the interview!
* * *
Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time where she lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.
Visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.
*Autumn trees photo courtesy of Vannetta Chapman.
Last 5 posts by Amber | AmishReader.com
- Thanksgiving Recipe: Roasted Rosemary Turkey - November 16th, 2018
- Recipes for a Three-Course Autumn Meal - October 23rd, 2018
- Autumn Interview with Vannetta Chapman - October 16th, 2018
- Autumn Recipe: Chili Bean Soup - September 19th, 2018
- Morning Treat Recipe: Easy Apple Fritters - August 17th, 2018
So you’d be a journalist if you weren’t a novelist? That I never guessed about you.
[Reply]
Great interview. As for my answers to your questions…….
1. farmer
2. the colors
3. most likely Anna
4. miraculous healings
5. buggy
[Reply]
Vannetta Chapman Reply:
September 29th, 2015 at 7:23 am
You’re pretty close, Nancee. You know me pretty well. But FARMER? I can’t get my tomato plants to produce. lol
[Reply]
Interesting to know a little more about you, Vannetta.
1. I always wanted to be a choir director and worship leader
2. I enjoy the colors of fall, too. My home state as a child, of Pennsylvania, has awesome fall foliage.
3. I’d like to say I resemble Ruth, I admired her faith, but I probably am more like Anna.
4. I wold have researched healings, too.
5. Buggies sound fun, but I’ll stick to a car.
[Reply]
Vannetta Chapman Reply:
September 29th, 2015 at 7:23 am
Thanks for stopping by, Emilie. I kind of agree with you on #5. They ARE fun, but cold in the winter.
[Reply]
Loved the interview!
1-farmer, hard work, great rewards
2-The colors are so beautiful!
3-Anna
4-miraculous healings
5-for sure & certain it would be a buggy, although I’d like to ride a tractor at least once
[Reply]
Vannetta Chapman Reply:
September 29th, 2015 at 7:23 am
Hi Dali. You’ve never ridden a tractor? Come on down to Texas and we’ll take care of that.
[Reply]
Learned so very much tonight
[Reply]
1. A secretary at a nonprofit
2. The color
3. Anna
4. Miraculous healing
5. Car
[Reply]
Vannetta Chapman Reply:
September 29th, 2015 at 7:24 am
Hi Liz. Thanks for stopping by. I think we can all agree on a love of fall colors. I’m so READY to see the leaves turn.
[Reply]
My answers would be –
1. Farmer
2. The Colors
3. Chloe
4. Oklahoma Amish Communities
5. Buggy
This was a fun interview – thank you for sharing
[Reply]
Vannetta Chapman Reply:
September 29th, 2015 at 3:20 pm
HI Angela! It WAS very interesting researching the Oklahoma Amish. That’s one of my fav parts of writing–meeting the people who inspire the story.
[Reply]
You answered those questions, just like I thought you would!
1. Non-profit
2. Colors
3 .Chloe
4. Healings/Amish communities
5. Buggy Ride…(when the sun is shining!) lol
[Reply]
Vannetta Chapman Reply:
September 29th, 2015 at 7:24 am
Ahhh … Thanks C.J. You’re right about the buggies – they’re fun when the sun is shining, which is the only time I’ve ridden in one. I did ride in a horse drawn sleigh in Shipshewana and that was in the winter at night. It was awesome.
[Reply]
Wonderful interview! Plus, I would have answered with the same answers as Vannetta.
[Reply]
Vannetta Chapman Reply:
September 29th, 2015 at 7:25 am
Hi Patricia. We’re kindred spirits. Aren’t we?
[Reply]
1. If I hadn’t been a journalist/photographer, I would have like to be a farmer
2. The best thing about autumn is the colors and smells. I live in New England and we have wonderful autumns; my favorite season.
3. The character from Anna’s Healing who most resembles you is… don’t know yet. From reading the “Cast of Characters”, I’d say Chloe because of her profession and also her questioning.
4. The most interesting topic you researched for the book was… I haven’t written a book but have done a lot of research on a wide variety of topics. Right now I’m researching for a paper on Amish teachers and students and maybe expanding it to Amish schools themselves.
5. If you could take any mode of transportation, you’d travel by (depending on the distance) Train. For short distances and if neither time nor reality intruded, buggy for sure.
This was fun.
[Reply]
Vannetta Chapman Reply:
September 29th, 2015 at 3:21 pm
Hi Noelle. I envy you those fall New England colors. We were up there two years ago during October, and it was amazing!
[Reply]