Interview with Jerry Eicher and TWO book giveaway!!!

Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I began writing Amish fiction because that’s the culture I knew, and my first novel, “A
Time to Live” was autobiographical. Which is common I think. From there it was by
request from “Choice Books”. A distributor who was short on Amish fiction titles at the
time.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your
life?

That’s a tough one. I’d probably pick my thirtieth birthday when I was out doing church
street work in our local town. I felt fulfilled and doing something worthwhile.

How has being published changed your life?

It opens doors that are tightly closed otherwise. I suppose that changes your life. Beyond
that, not as much as I had expected. But I’m not mega successful either.

What are you reading right now?

Now…now…those are secrets no one should know. Actually, the third book of
Christopher Paolini’s, series, “Brisingr”. I also peruse Amish fiction books during most
writing days. But that doesn’t quite count, I don’t think.

What is your current work in progress?

I began writing the series for 2014, “The Sisters of Lancaster County”.

What would be your dream vacation?

I’d love to spend a month or so in Europe. We were there last year, and adored the
county.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I find an Amish community that interests me, and model characters around that. By
moving around, it adds a different flavor for me.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who
would it be and why?

That would be a draw between the two loves of my life, theology and romance stories.
Which translates into Dr. Hugh Ross, and Nicholas Sparks. I’d spend the evening asking
questions and listening to the answers.

What three things about you would surprise readers?

The sheer range of my interests. It’s disconcerting to most people. I have to publish under
a pseudonym for another kind of fiction I’ve written. I teach C.S. Lewis at church, but
also read Christopher Paolini at home for example. Most people I do construction work
for, don’t believe me if I tell them I’m a published author. I don’t look like I writer, I
guess.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

Movies, travel, music, theology

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

The depression was the most surprising and persistent. It seems to go with the territory.
I have to watch how many hours I put in. Take breaks more often, and I’m looking at
perhaps taking Saturdays completely off, once in awhile.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Find something else to do….just kidding. You have to like it, I suppose, so there’s not
much you can do but practice, learn all you can, and write a lot. You really need to get in
those bad years when nothing is happening. I wish I had begun earlier.

Tell us about the book.

The Fields of Home, covers an Amish girl’s rush into the Englisha world, after she
catches her boyfriend kissing another girl. From there Susan meets Teresa, a single
unwed Englisha mother who wants her baby adopted by the Amish. From there the two
lives are intertwined until their marriages. Which takes the three books to accomplish.

What do you want readers to take away from the book?

I don’t write much beyond the goal of creating an interesting story. So if the reader loves
the story, that’s good enough for me. One of the most gratifying stories told me was by
my good friend Leon, who doesn’t read fiction, and also is too tight to buy books. But
he knows me, so he began reading in Wal-Mart, and couldn’t stop. He arrived home
late, after standing in front of the bookrack for hours, with his wife wondering what had
become of him. He told me this story, furious at not being able to lay down the book. He
vowed never to pick up another Jerry Eicher book in his life.

What one question would you like us to ask your readers?

What do you think of the story?

Tell us about the giveaway you’re offering.

One book each of “Missing Your Smile” and “Following Your Heart” is being offered in
this giveaway. All I’m asking for is an honest review at Christianbook.com when you’re
done.