I’ve never tried P90X. I’ve heard all kinds of good things about it from friends, coworkers, random acquaintances and spam emails. But I’ve never tried it myself. That’s because I live in mortal fear of push-ups. And because I think if I did try it, I might die.
And I can’t die before I’ve had the chance to visit the Cadbury Factory in England. Oh, and Prince Edward Island. (Have I watched Anne of Green Gables about a thousand times? Yes, yes, I have.)
But thanks to a Facebook friend’s posting, I’ve recently discovered a new version of P90X that just might suit me:
Amish P90X. Does it get better than that?
Or, forget P90X. They say dance is one of the best forms of exercise. If that’s true, call me Ginger Rogers. ‘Cause after seeing this video, I’m pretty sure I’ve got a new ambition:
Thanks, by the way, to Erin Dobraska for introducing me to Double Dream Hands. I may or may not have practiced the routine alone in my apartment. 🙂
Anyway, back to the Amish. I’ve been thinking about the Amish lately – well, Amish fiction, mostly. And why it’s so popular at the moment. Everybody has their theories, and I’m sure I’m probably just parroting someone else when I say the reason I think it’s doing so well right now – and not just in the Christian market, but mainstream, too – is because it seems to me many people, deep down, have a desire for simpler times…simpler living…(And how about simpler sentences. Can you say run-on?)
But while much about the Amish might appear “simpler” – no Internet, no electricity, no cars whose doors freeze shut in Iowa winters (see, this is why I need P90X, so I’m strong enough to get in my car) – I wonder, for an Amish person, does life really feel simple? Before e-mail and facebook and even light bulbs and telephones, people still had problems. They were still human. They had emotions. Probably didn’t feel “simple.”
Maybe it’s how they dealt/deal with life – relationships, challenges, children, faith – that feels simpler to those of us looking at it from a modern standpoint. Close-knit communities, face-to-face relationships versus social networking.
Anyhow, I don’t read lots of Amish fiction and I don’t write it, either – but I do care about it. Because I sorely want to make a career of this writing thing. And if I can understand why readers gravitate toward “bonnet books,” maybe I can, for lack of a better and less crass term, cash in on it. Is it simplicity? Is it the quaint setting? Hmm…maybe it’s just the forbidden love aspect. Amish girl meets Englischer man…has to choose between her upbringing and true love…or compromise and become Mennonite. 🙂
Regardless, there’s something there that’s a draw to the avid readers of Amish fiction – so avid their loyalty has turned Amish fiction into its own subgenre. Get this – this time last year, February 2010, “bonnet fiction” made up 35%, more than a third, of the CBA bestseller list! By 2009, Beverly Lewis, one of the original pioneers of Christian fiction, sold more than 12 million copies!
I’ve seen other newbie writers like myself roll their eyes at industry trends, scoff at the very idea of writing “for the market.” And while writing solely for current trends would be silly – because, hey, today’s Amish fiction might be tomorrow’s Twilight copycat might be the next day’s Lancaster County Vampires – ignoring the consumer altogether is, well, kind of backward. Shouldn’t we, at least to some degree, write with the reader in mind?
Personally, I can’t get the reader out of my head when I’m writing. Will they feel for my characters? Will the plot suck them in? Will the theme and spiritual takeaway resonate?
And perhaps the biggest question of all: Will they still like my book even though I tend to write about farmers and literary agents rather than bonnets and fangs?
🙂
~Melissa
Comments 2
Writing for the market is so hard for me because as soon as I finish novel, the market shifts. Instead I’ve learned to write what’s on my heart, and ask God to open doors of opportunity for that novel.
I’ve been reading accounts from our missionaries in other countries who are ministering to those who have survived horrible situations. All of their stories share two commonalities–the people are always happy and they aren’t in a rush.
I don’t read a lot of Amish fiction, but I’ve read a few really good books in the last year that have really stayed in my thoughts long after the book ended. Beth Wiseman’s novel comes to mind, but the title escapes me.
Thanks for the comment, Lisa. You’re right…trying to write solely for the market is hard, I think, especially because the publication process takes so long. And yet, I can’t help paying at least a little attention. For instance, even after writing this post last night, I started thinking about how Amish and vampire fiction (and throw in historical fiction) actually share something as far as appeal, I think, in that they offer escape from the here and now…can I apply that to my own novel? Actually, yes…Case’s farm and especially the small Iowa town the book takes place in is almost like it’s own little, quirky world…
But you’re right, in the end, writing what’s on your heart is what matters.
Interesting about the missionaries and their observances! Maybe that’s part of the appeal of Amish fiction…
By the way, you totally inspired me to do another blog makeover. I loved what you did with the Ponderers…made me want a sleeker, cleaner feel for my own blog! 🙂