Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Suzanne Woods Fisher & Anything But Plain

Please join me in welcoming author Suzanne Woods Fisher to the blog today to talk about her new novel, Anything But Plain!

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christy finalist, a Carol Award winner, a two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, and the Publishers Weekly, ECPA, CBA, bestselling author of more than thirty-five books. Her genres include contemporary and historical romances, Amish romance, and women’s fiction. She and her husband live in a small town in California, where everyone knows everyone else, knows what they are doing and why. Most friends act a little nervous around Suzanne because they usually wind up in one of her novels. She has four grown children and enough grandchildren to keep her young. Visit Suzanne at
www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

ANYTHING BUT PLAIN by Suzanne Woods Fisher
GENRE: Inspirational Amish Fiction / Contemporary Romance
PUBLISHER: Revell
RELEASE DATE: October 4, 2022
PAGES: 320

It’s not easy being the bishop’s daughter, especially for Lydie Stoltzfus. She’s not like other Amish girls, as much as she wishes she were. The only thing she does well is disappoint others. Leaving her family and church seems unbearable, but staying might be worse.

Knowing Lydie is “between” jobs, the local doctor asks her to fill in at the front desk for a few months. To Lydie, this is a boon. It gives her time to figure out how she’s going to say goodbye to her neighbor, Nathan Yoder–the main reason she needs to leave Stoney Ridge. Nathan claims he’s in love with her, but she knows she’s not good enough for him. If in doubt, Nathan’s father reminds her frequently.

As Dok spends time with Lydie, she recognizes symptoms of a disorder rare among the Amish. She offers treatment for Lydie. But will it be enough to make her stay? Or has help come too late?

Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge, a small town that feels like an old friend.

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Hi Suzanne! Welcome back to the blog!

Suzanne: Dogs! So so so not cats. I’m a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Carrie: aww i love that – i bet it’s so rewarding! Plus … puppies ♥

Suzanne: Both! Love them both.

Carrie: spoken like a true author 🙂

Suzanne: Netflix. I’m a fan of food shows like The Great British Baking Show. I learn so much from them!

Carrie: i really need to start watching that show!

Suzanne: I’m working on trying to be an ebook reader because there are so many benefits–instantly deliverable, available at all times. But…there’s just something about the feel of a book in my hands. I still prefer it.

Carrie: I think every true book lover – even one who reads ebooks almost exclusively like me – would agree with you about the irreplaceable nature of a print book 🙂

Q: Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?

Suzanne: Detective work. I have an ability to “scan” my surroundings that is kind of uncanny. Very helpful as a mom of teenagers.

Carrie: oooo yes!

Q: When you walk into a bookstore, where do you head first?

Suzanne: I go straight to the children’s department. My friend’s son-in-law is Mo Willems (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus), so I always like to see how Mo is being well represented. Also, a good children’s department tells you a lot about the bookstore.

Carrie: that is so true! I hope I never outgrow the love of children’s books or their section in a bookstore

Q: Writing spaces are as diverse as authors and books. Where is your favorite space to write?

Suzanne: It’s not necessarily my favorite spot (not at all!) but it is the place I’ve written 35+ books. My laundry room. It’s a tiny, shared space with two big yellow labs, and the heart of the house, and…it just works. I can pop up and do something in the kitchen or move laundry from the washer to the dryer, and get back to work. Only complaint is the scenery is a little dull.

Carrie: i believe you are the first person, in many interviews of asking this question, to say that they write in their laundry room LOL love it!

Q: Which character in Anything But Plain was the most difficult to write? 

Suzanne: Lydie Stoltzfus is the main character in Anything but Plain. She has undiagnosed ADHD—something that is not common among the Amish but it does occur. While I don’t have ADHD, I am very familiar with it through friends and family members. It’s a real thing, it makes life difficult for the individual and for others, yet it also brings so many blessings. That’s what’s at the heart of this story—bringing Lydie’s gifts to light.

Carrie: and it’s something we see so little of in fiction – especially Amish fiction! I’m so intrigued by Lydie’s character!

Q: Do you have the whole plot outlined before you start writing, or do you let the characters dictate what comes next?

Suzanne: I have a friend who spends three weeks outlining her entire book, right down to every POV in each scene. Then she spends three weeks writing her book. She’s incredibly successful and I wish I were more like her…but I’m so not. I’m more of the “throw the spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks” kind of writer. The good thing is that there are a lot of surprises in store in the writing process.

Carrie: hahaha i think i would be that kind of writer too – just thinking about plotting down to every POV makes me tired lol

Q: What is one of your favorite quotes from Anything But Plain & why do you love it??

Suzanne: There’s an old fashioned farming term called “Walking the Beans.” It refers to a farmer/gardener who weeds by hand, who knows what’s going on with his crops. I love it as a metaphor. There’s a wise Amish bishop in this novel (modeled after a real Amish bishop in Ohio whom I’ve gotten to know) who said it best: “Walking the beans isn’t just meant for the fields. It’s a way of saying that a man, or a woman, should pay close attention to all that the Lord has given them. Their children, their family. The work of their hands.”

Carrie: Your bishops are always some of my very fave characters, by the way ♥

Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.

Suzanne: Thank you for letting me hang out with your readers! As for what’s up next, look for book 2 in the Cape Cod Creamery series. Just got the title from the publisher: The Secret to Happiness. I can’t wait to share what’s been going on at the Main Street Creamery with readers! This story picks up just a little bit after where The Sweet Life leaves off, and a new character is introduced, Callie Dixon, whom I think you’ll fall in love with.

Revell is offering a print copy of Anything But Plain by Suzanne Woods Fisher to TWO of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

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What about you? What makes you want to read Anything But Plain by Suzanne Woods Fisher?