By Debby Giusti
“Who’s Rosie Glick?”
If someone had asked me
that question two years ago, I would have replied with a shrug, “I dunno.”
At that time, I didn’t
know Rosie would be the heroine in Amish
Christmas Secrets, the fourth and final book in my Amish Protectors series.
In fact, I didn’t even know Rosie existed.
 |
| An Amish farm in Holmes County, Ohio, similar to the farm where Ezra Stoltz lives. |
I had submitted a
proposal that featured three sisters caught in a human trafficking operation located
in the North Georgia mountains. Two of the sisters--Miriam Miller (Amish Refuge-book 1) and Sarah Miller (Amish Rescue-book 3)—were taken captive
in a carjacking on a desolate back road. Their estranged sister, Hannah Miller (Undercover Amish-book 2), travels to the
mountain area in search of them and ends up in danger as well.
Spoiler alert…although
we all know the stories have a HEA! Each sister falls in love with an
Amish, or soon-to-be Amish, hero who fights the bad guys in an exciting climax.
The heroes declare their love and the couples live happily ever after.
 |
| This is an Amish woman's wedding dress. Will Rosie Glick get her happily ever after? |
Emily Rodmell, my wonderful editor from Love Inspired Books, eagerly accepted the proposal, then added a fourth book to the contract.
Three sisters = three
books.
A four-book contract
was a good problem. I quickly decided the add-on book would begin a new series.
 |
| I love Amish buggies! |
But my plans changed when Rosie pushed her way into
the first book and showed up again in book 2 and 3.
 |
| This could be a photo from Ezra Stoltz's house. |
How?
An interesting phenomenon
happens when I’m writing. Often a character, plot twist or line of dialogue I
never planned to include in a story appears on the page. Early in my career, I
would roll my eyes and blame my typing error on fatigue or writer overload and
would immediately delete the material I had mistakenly added. Before long, I realized
that surprise character or new information was exactly who or what I needed later
in the story.
 |
| A small garden close to the house. |
In one of my earlier books,
a villain’s sister made an unexpected appearance. I didn’t even know he had a
sister, but she played a pivotal role in the intriguing climax.
Rosie Glick was born in
just such a way. She came to life when the sheriff in book 1 mentioned an Amish
women who had gone missing some months earlier and was thought to have run off
with her Englisch boyfriend.
 |
| I wonder if Ezra and Rosie are in that buggy? |
In book 2, Hannah
Miller and her cop-turned-Amish-hero, Lucas Grant, question Rosie’s
parents to find out if her disappearance has something to do with another missing
Amish girl. Rosie’s father is less than forthright, but her mother, in that
same unexpected way, shares the surprise clue I needed in order to discover what had happened
to Rosie.
By the time I wrote the
third story, Rosie was demanding her own book, and I could clearly see who she
was and what she wanted revealed.
 |
| A pretty view through the window of an Amish home, Holmes County. |
Over the years, I’ve
come to realize those unexpected elements don’t come from me, they come from
God. I start with
a tiny idea of what I want to write—a series about three sister caught in a
trafficking operation–and somehow the stories take shape and new characters appear that I never would
have imagined at the onset.
The process of creating
a story or a series from an initial idea is like the small mustard seed Christ
talked about in Scripture that grew to the largest of plants. The process is
bigger than I am, and I know the Lord provides the inspiration and I’m merely his
scribe.
Writers, have you
experienced a surprise character or an unexpected plot twist or bit of dialogue
that ends up enhancing your story? Readers, do you mind if a new character is
introduced later in the story or do you want everyone “on the page” in the beginning
chapters? Do you enjoy reading books in
a series, and if so, do you read the stories as soon as they’re released or do
you wait until the last book is published and then read the entire series
beginning to end?
Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for Amish Christmas Secrets so you can learn
more about Rosie Glick, the surprise heroine in my Amish Protectors series.
Happy writing! Happy
reading!
Wishing you abundant
blessings,
Debby Giusti
AMISH CHRISTMAS SECRETS
By Debby Giusti
Safe Haven for the
Holidays
The thrilling Amish
Protectors conclusion.
Leaving the nursing
home where she works, Rosie Glick’s accosted by a man demanding
incriminating evidence her murdered boyfriend stole—until Ezra Stoltz
scares him off. Now with a killer dead set on silencing the Amish
single mother, Ezra must hide Rosie and her baby to keep them safe. But
can he expose a sinister conspiracy in time to save the woman he
secretly loves?
Pre-order here!
Hi Debby,
ReplyDeleteI love that Rosie gets her own HEA (presumably).
The phenomenon that you described is probably my favorite thing about writing. It always gives me goosebumps when something or someone that I put in early in a story turns out to be exactly what I needed later.
I just had a really cool example of that in a novella I just finished for a collection based on women of the Bible. My character is based on the biblical Hannah, and I read a lot about her early in my research. I had my plot all figured out, but I needed something a little extra so I went back to the biblical story. I found an exact line in the Bible that mirrored the plot twist I had come up with. I'm not doing a very good job explaining, but it was a goosebumps moment for me!
So cool, Mary Cate! You'll have to let us know when the novella comes out!
DeleteAny day now, Missy. Fingers crossed.
DeleteLove that Cate.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Wilani! The coffee is hot! I've brought muffins and fruit. Help yourself!
DeleteCate, I want to know about your Biblical fiction! Is this a collection of your stories or are other authors involved? I totally understand those goosebumps. Often--as I mentioned--while I'm giving the story a final read, I'm in awe of what came from my original concept. The story has changed and grown and become something I never envisioned at the onset. So glad you feel those moment of awe, as well!
ReplyDeleteHi Debby.
DeleteThanks for asking. It's a collection with Sandra Belle Calhoune, Leah and Christina Lorenzen. We each chose a woman from the Bible and based a contemporary character on her. In my case, I wrote a modern day Hannah based on the biblical Hannah who struggled with infertility but never gave up praying for a child.
I chose Hannah because I was writing this while my husband was in the hospital and I wanted a faithful prayerful woman as my muse.
Oops - left out Leah's last name - Leah Atwood. The collection is Faithful Women: Legacies of Grace. It will be up any day now, as soon as it wends it's way through the Amazon back channels.
DeleteCate, thanks for the info. The anthology sounds wonderful. I know God will work through those stories and touch many.
DeleteThere have been times when I have had a little talk with the Lord when he has told me that I need to write in a scene that is controversial. He always wins and in the long run I see why. It's always good to listen to His promptings.
ReplyDeleteGoing to doctor this morning and glad. I am pretty sure I have bronchitis brought on by last week severe asthma attack.
Wilani, those questionable scenes God gives us are always the toughest to write. They usually require us to dig deeper than we want to go. I have fought this on more than one occasion, but God always wins and the story always ends up better when I do things the way He wants me to. So now I'm trying to learn to just let myself go wherever He leads rather than arguing. Partly because I don't want to have to rewrite later and also because I know God will always win in the end.
DeleteOh, and I hope you feel better soon.
DeleteWilani, I'm glad you're getting checked! I hope everything is okay.
DeletePraying you feel better soon, Wilani.
DeleteI have asthma bronchitis . not contagious but feel just as lousy Glad I went major medicine just no antibiotics. I am allergic to just about all. The Lord is good I will rest and try to get over
DeleteWilani, I'm praying for you to get the medication you need so you can get well!
ReplyDeleteSounds as if God is the inspiration for your stories, Wilani! I'm so glad!
Debby, for the most part, I love those unexpected things/characters. But sometimes they present a challenge. Still, they are always worth exploring, because God usually gives them to us for a reason.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Mindy! I got something this morning in prayer that changes a story I'm working on...but it will be a good change. I know what you mean about presenting a challenge, yet we all like to stretch and grow...well, we like it after the fact, right? :)
DeleteHugs!
I love when I'm writing a story and need something to make it come together and all of a sudden it comes to me. That is a great moment.
ReplyDeleteYou asked about reading a book when it comes out in a series or waiting for the whole series. I have done both. There is a definite advantage to waiting so you can enjoy the entire series. The Mitford series by Jan Karon comes to mind. I think when I started it there were a few books already written, but I had to wait for each subsequent book. She sometimes took 2 or 3 years in between books which is a long wait.
Please enter me in the drawing.
The creative process is supernatural, for sure! As I mentioned, God is in control. Thankfully!
DeleteTwo to three years is a long time to wait for a story. Think about ebooks now. Writers are told to release a new story every six weeks to two months. Oh my gosh! Everything pushes us to write faster. That's not always the best practice for our stories.
I opened Seekerville and I saw Rosie Glick.
ReplyDeleteI know that name!
I just started your book and am loving it!
On Sunday, we had Amish visitors at Church who came to stay a few days w/one of our members. (He's ill but for many years traveled to Missouri and spent a week or two with them.) I so bad wanted to ask some of them if they ever read Amish books, specifically yours. LOL.
Connie, how special to have Amish visitors at your church! And how nice of them to be with their old friend.
DeleteSo glad the book arrived and glad you like the story so far. Rosie pushed her way into that series, for sure! :)
Debby, I think it's amazing when things like that happen! I've had the same wonderful problem when I suddenly type something and wonder how it'll play out later in the story. I love how God can do that!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of this series yet. I really look forward to it! The books sound fantastic.
Missy, I wonder how many God-twists I deleted early on before I realized they needed to remain in my various stories. I used to delete them as soon as they appeared on the page, thinking I wasn't paying attention to my synopsis or story line. Knock me over the head!!! I soon realized my mistake, thankfully!
DeleteAlso meant to say that I never wait for all the books in a series to release. I'm too impatient. :)
ReplyDeleteMissy, like you, I read books in a series as they release!
DeleteWhen I find a new author, I often read all his/her back list as well. For the really successful authors, I like to read the first novel they ever published. Sometimes it's a fairly basic story and I can see how their writing improved as their careers progressed.
At other times, those debut books can be an author's best work. Case in point, John Grisham. His first story, A Time to Kill, was amazing!
Hi Debby!
ReplyDeleteI have a "Rosie Glick" that I'm working with now. He was supposed to be a one-off character in the first book of the series, just a temporary rival for the hero in one scene, but he played a much larger role in the first book than I imagined, and is continuing to grow and develop in the second book. I have a feeling he'll continue as a secondary character in the third book, as well.
Where did he come from? I know I didn't plan for him to be there, but I'm glad he showed up!
Looking forward to reading your series! The books are on my TBR shelf!
Jan, I love this!!! Your surprise character is butting his way into your stories just as Rosie Glick did.
DeleteWill he get his own book?
He won't get his own book, but I hope he'll get his own HEA by the end of the series!
DeleteDebby, this has happened to me more times than I can count, since I'm naturally series-oriented. I've even had a character from a book I GAVE UP ON rise up and demand her own book, and it's better than the story she came from. Part of the trick is in creating interesting minor and secondary characters to begin with. Part of it is the proverbial writers' question, "What if? And why not?"
ReplyDeleteThe sequel to my Oregon Trail story grew out of two secondary characters in the first book: Pace, the trail boss, a reclusive and rootless loner who is growing tired of the trail, and Oona Moriarty, the hero Michael's sister whose crime Michael was covering when HE took to the trail. Oona didn't even make an appearance in the first book, except in flashbacks, but I knew there was more to her story and I knew she wasn't going to stay in the convent!
Thank you, Debby. Interesting post.
I love characters names, KB. Oona Moriarty intrigues me! Love the name. Love that she's a "special" character.
DeleteUsually when my surprise characters appear, I haven't asked "What if?" They just appear on the page...as if from thin air. From the universe as Julia Cameron, in The Artist's Way, would say.
But we both know where those surprises come from. From God! :)
What a beautiful cover! Rather Madonna like. And I'm excited that we're going to get Rosie's story. I love reading series -- discovering the ways the books tie together and sometimes getting a glimpse at previous heroes and heroines. And I'm greedy -- I read them as they come out and then impatiently wait for the next one. I don't know how people wait until a whole series comes out before reading! I don't have that kind of patience.
ReplyDeleteKav, I didn't know readers waited. Then I received letters asking when all the books in my Military Investigations series would be published. There were nine stories in all and a number of readers wanted to read them after they had all been released. A long wait, for sure!
DeleteI LOVE when a character pops up out of nowhere and has a story of their own! I'm hoping just such an event happens in my current WIP. I need a heroine for book two...and a villain...and possibly a heroine for book three...:)
ReplyDeletePraying all those surprise characters make themselves known, Erica! Keep us posted on your progress!
DeleteHappy writing! Would you like a chocolate chip cookie? Sometimes chocolate helps us be more creative!
Yes, please, to chocolate chip cookies! :)
DeleteHi Debbie.
ReplyDeleteReading your post has intrigued me and I’d love to know more about Rosie and her story.
I’m happy for characters to make their entrances in the novel wherever it’s most fitting for them in the story line, it’s doesn’t have to be in the beginning or at any specific point in the novel.
I love reading books in series. I generally read them in order as they become available to me.
Happy writing.
Hi Ruthy! Thanks for being with us today. I read your Blogger bio and it said you've recently moved to Ireland. How exciting. I'm touring Ireland this fall! Can't wait! What town are you in and what made you decide to move to the Emerald Isle?
DeleteHi Debby:
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw the words, "Rosie Glick" my mind saw it as Alma Gluck. She was an American Opera star who was also a very early recording artist. She was married to Bernard Glick so for a time her name was Glick. She later married and her son was Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
It seems with added details the mind starts connecting dots. I think this happens when we write. The more we write the more 'clues' we plant. It's no wonder that with enough clues new characters will spring to life. Your subconscious likes a good mystery too.
"God may put characters into my stories but it's my editor who takes them out. It's a good thing my God is an understanding God."
Where to start in a series? How good is the book in question? How many books are out already? Is it a sure thing the series will be completed?
I've read of two different authors who had book three of their announced series cancelled by the publisher. The fans were outraged but not as upset as the author herself. The first two books sold well but the publisher wanted to go into greener pastures.
Another question is what do you do when book five holds your greatest attention? Should you read the books in order from book one until you get to the book that sold you on the series?
I look for the words: 'each book stands alone and can be read in any order with full enjoyment'. One of the books in the 'Alaskan Brides' series was about a K-9 policeman and I was going to read that one because of the setting and dog. I read all the others books in order.
I think new characters can appear at any time in a story but if the new character is the villain in a mystery, the appearance must be in the first 1/4 of the book. Characters who are the soultion to the questions asked throughout the story must not appear at the end. Otherwise they are like 'Deus ex machina' -- very bad form!
Idea for mystery writers: I'm taking a writing class from R. L. Stine and he creates comprehensive outlines first, then he writes the surprise ending. He says that knowing the twist in the ending can help him from then on, from chapter one on, to write red herrings and misdirectional events that make his ending even a bigger and better surprise! I like this idea and can see how it works.
Vince
P.S. You asked: "I wonder if Ezra and Rosie are in that buggy?" They are if you want them to be.":) (Ezra is a lot like Efrem.)
Vince, I don't know Alma or Bernard, but I do remember Efrem. Haven't thought of him in ages...in fact, I can only vaguely recall what he looked like. What did he star in? Some type of cop or detective show?
DeleteAuthors sometimes have their books cancelled. I feel for them. In this age of indie pubbing, often they'll release the "rejected" stories on their own.
I agree with you about the antagonist needing to be introduced early in the story. And I like stand alone series. I don't want to wade through two or three books to get to the one I REALLY want to read, which is what you were saying, right?
I usually have a good idea of the climax before I start my story. Sometimes I may make a slight shift but basically, the end is know before the beginning is written.
I hope you're enjoying your R. L. Stine class. Good for you, Vince!
I don't mind. Sometimes my favorite characters turn out to be minor ones.
ReplyDeleteAnd I had something more written, but I was having difficulties posting for some reason. I'm looking forward to this story a lot! (And my name is Nicole House. I'm a Facebook friend.)
DeleteNicole, I'm so glad you stopped by Seekerville! Make it a habit, okay?
DeleteSorry blogger gave you a hard time. He/She can be temperamental!
Hugs.
Hi, Debby. As a writer, I do like the appearance of an unexpected character, especially since I'm a plotter. I also like how characters that introduce themselves in the plotting stages can become more fleshed out and ask for attention (in a positive way) during the writing of the book. For example, in the book I'm about to edit, two secondary characters whispered their stories to me while I was writing the first draft and I hope I can write their stories someday. As a reader, I love series, but I love series where the characters play an integral role to the ongoing storyline. Thanks for the information about how Rosie's character called out for her own story and how that came to fruition.
ReplyDeleteTanya, I love that you've got two secondary characters begging to have their own stories. I always enjoy having more than one story in the works, so to speak, even if it's projected later in the future.
DeleteI'm so excited about all your finals and wins and success this year! Looking forward to M&M! Always a great conference.
Debby, thanks for sharing your experiences with your characters. I love the way they just "show up!" I do enjoy reading series because you do have an opportunity to get to know the characters better. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteHi Edwina, you're in the drawing! You're so right! A series does allow the reader to better know the characters and the setting. Sometimes opening a new book in a series seems like a "coming home" of sorts! That's a wonderful feeling for the reader and kudos to any author who can provide that sense of home to her readers.
DeleteThanks for sharing. I especially like your idea that God introduces the characters He wants in the story development. I am new to writing and sat down to write a simple story. By the time I had finished I had seven other characters who had something to say that wouldn't fit in the first story. Now I have a series on my hands and am wondering what other surprises God has in store for me. )i(
ReplyDeleteChristine, how wonderful! God has lots of stories planned for your future. That's so exciting!
DeleteI love the series each one better than the last one. Loved all the characters and the way things played out. Can't wait to read book 4.
ReplyDeleteKim, thank you so much. You've touched my heart! I'm so very grateful!
DeleteHugs!
I'm late stopping by today, Debby, but wanted to say I loved your post! Your Amish books are all great, and it's obvious you enjoy writing about them. :)
ReplyDeleteThe appearance of a surprise character or unexpected plot twist is what I love most about writing! Although it can often make for more work, it's fun to see what that character or plot twist will add to my story.
I will be ordering Book 4 and know I'll love it!
Hugs, Patti Jo
Patti Jo, you're such a dear friend, and I greatly appreciate your support and encouragement!
DeleteThank you so much!
I love reading books in a series and as a reader happy to meet a character later in the story. Curious as to their role that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary!
DeleteYou're right about those surprise characters introduced later in the story. Usually they have an important role to play!
Yep. Happens all the time when I reading AND writing. I read others stories and wonder about some of their cool and interesting secondary characters.
ReplyDeleteAnd, my readers email me asking about if I'm going to write so-n-so's story all the time. When the seed is planted, the ideas start coming! :)
Love the seed analogy, Pam! So true!
DeleteHi Debby:
ReplyDeleteI think a good question would be:
"What type of series would you like to see?"
I would like to see a multi-author series, (with with auto-buy authors) that follows an historical progression with real historical events as a background.
For example: a series about the Amish progression west with each author taking a ten year period from 1840 to 2018. It would be okay for one author to write more than one of the books.
I like the way the tv show, "Call the Midwife" does history. They will have the one or two major events of the year, (like the assignation of JFK) and in one scene show how this event affects the major characters. Your sense of the historical moment is presented with a high emotional impact. That's how to time-stamp a story IMHO.)
Yes, I believe this would have to be an Indie project as the authors will probably have to come from different publishingh houses.
Vince
Great idea, Vince. I need to watch "Call the Midwife." When I don't start a TV series at the beginning, I rarely jump on board later in the season. The exception was "Downton Abbey." Probably because they aired a two-hour overview before the beginning of the second season, which introduced me to the characters and caught me up somewhat on the story line.
DeleteSurprise characters add interest to a story and even better when they get their own story! Thank you for sharing about your storytelling!!
ReplyDeleteAnne, thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment!
DeleteI loved reading more about Rosie Glick. Isn't it amazing how some characters can grab our attention and we just need to learn more about them. Kind of like an actor who is hired for one appearance and suddenly, they have a recurring role!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and I am truly looking forward to reading Amish Christmas Secrets.
Blessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you so much, Connie. Blessings to you, as well!
DeleteYes! Every now and then, I look up from writing and say, "I didn't see that coming!" My husband says, "But aren't you writing it?" I basically tell him that the characters have taken over. "But didn't you make those characters up?" He asks. People who don't write evidently don't understand. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing because, you're right, it's so true!!! The non-writer sometimes doesn't understand how the writer's mind works!
DeleteIsn’t it quite the gift that an additional character just “showed up” in your series. I’ve not read the rest of the series but it sounds intriguing..
ReplyDeleteperrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
Perrianne Askew
Thanks, Perrianne! It's totally amazing when it happens. I love how God works. :)
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading Amish Christmas Secrets. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
ReplyDelete