Marta Perry Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?
A. I’ve been writing fiction since I was about eight, and I got my start in publishing writing for Sunday School publications. I branched out into magazine fiction, and then finally tried my hand at writing novels, where I’ve been ever since. I currently write Amish novels—short inspirationals for Love Inspired; longer, more complex Amish stories for Berkley Books, and romantic suspense for HQN Books.

Q: What does your writing space look like?
A: My writing space is wherever I happen to be. My husband claims he once drove all the way home to Pennsylvania from Florida with me writing in the seat beside him. And that I never said a word the entire time! My favorite place to write is in my recliner on my laptop, but if I can’t do that, I’ll write wherever I can and with whatever instrument is at hand.

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?
A. The increasing burden of promotion and publicity on the writer is most difficult for me. I’d always rather be working on a book, but I realize that it’s necessary, so I try to keep a balance that works for me.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Shattered Silence?
A: Shattered Silence is Book 3 in my Echo Falls series from HQN Books. When her ex-husband’s possibly criminal behavior puts Rachel Hartline in danger, she’s forced to flee her teaching position to the only place she can hide—her grandfather’s Amish farm. Looking like everyone else, she can slip into the stream of Amish life until the dangerous situation is cleared up. But the evil follows her, and the only man who can keep her safe is the one who believes her guilty.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?
A: I loved writing the Amish scenes in the story, because it allowed me to contrast the Amish view of life with that of the urban outsider. Rachel discovers an inner peace and strength during this time that helps her conquer the pain and fear of her circumstances. As far as what I liked least—well, I discovered that I had embarked upon a rather complicated mystery plot that challenged me every step of the way!

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?
A: From my perspective, the theme I wanted to convey was that inner peace allows one to face the difficulties of life with fortitude and understanding. However, I’ve learned that readers take away what they need from a novel, so that they may see something in the book that I wasn’t consciously aware of. That’s part of the joy of hearing from readers.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I’m working on the first book in a new romantic suspense series for HQN Books. The series title is as yet undetermined, but the first book is called AMISH OUTSIDER. My publisher has asked that I write about Amish protagonists in this series, since that has proved to be popular with the readers. It can be a challenge, since the Amish are not typically involved in such situations, but on the other hand, it’s fascinating to write about an ordinary, peaceful, innocent Amish person caught up unexpectedly in a dangerous and possibly deadly circumstance.

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?
A. I love to read, bake, and sew, and I’ve recently taken up crocheting. I find it very soothing once I get into it, and the results benefit other people, as I’m one of a group of women crocheting winter hats for the children of the community.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done?
A. Raised three children, with the help of the best man I’ve ever met. And now we have the pleasure of enjoying our six grandchildren!