Exploring Faith, Love, And Laughter In Fiction
Jennifer Beckstrand is a masterful storyteller whose works have captured the hearts of readers across the globe. With her signature blend of humor, romance, and faith, she has carved a unique niche in the literary world, crafting stories that are as uplifting as they are entertaining. Her ability to create relatable, multi-dimensional characters—whether they are strong-willed Amish women, endearing matchmakers, or quirky side characters—sets her apart as a true gem in the genres of Amish romance, historical Westerns, and clean romantic comedies. From the beloved Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series to the heartwarming Amish Quiltmaker books, Jennifer’s stories are a testament to her talent for weaving themes of love, community, and self-discovery into narratives that resonate deeply with her readers.
In this issue of Reader’s House Magazine, we had the privilege of sitting down with Jennifer to discuss her creative process, her inspiration, and the heart behind her stories. From the hilarious predicaments of Ada and Enos in The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor to the emotional depth of characters navigating life’s challenges, Jennifer shares her insights into crafting tales that are both laugh-out-loud funny and profoundly moving. Join us as we delve into the mind of this USA Today Bestselling author and explore the magic behind her unforgettable books.
Your Amish Quiltmaker series blends humour, romance, and faith. What inspired the unique dynamic between independent Ada and her quiet, unattached neighbour in this book?
I love a good “opposites attract” story, and Ada and Enos butt heads from the very beginning. But in many ways, they are dealing with very similar life situations. With her mother gone, Ada runs the farm and household and doesn’t feel like she gets much support from her scatterbrained father and her carefree sister. Enos can’t seem to please his demanding mother no matter how he tries. Both Ada and Enos carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. They don’t like each other very much, but they also have a lot of sympathy for each other. This dynamic puts them in some hilarious predicaments.
Ada is a strong, witty character who stands out in her community. How do you approach developing such bold female protagonists in the Amish setting?
All of my Amish heroines are strong women, but maybe not in the way pop culture tends to define “strong” women. You’re not going to see one of my heroines fight off a bank robber or take down a terrorist threat, but you will see my characters navigate very difficult life problems with grace, faith, and resilience. Amish women are unexpectedly strong and mentally tough, working tirelessly and running large households without the modern-day conveniences most of us take for granted. They have strong beliefs and work hard to maintain faith and family ties amidst child rearing, illness, death, financial troubles, and heartache.
Themes of community and self-discovery are central to The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor. How do you balance these themes with the traditional values of Amish life in your storytelling?
One profound thing I’ve learned about the Amish is that they are, in the most important ways, just everyday people trying to steer their way through life, making mistakes and searching for joy and meaning along the way. Most Amish live by a strict set of rules, and these rules keep them grounded and happy. It’s most certainly a balancing act when my characters want to be loyal to the community and their faith but also want to be loved for who they are without regard to the community. I let my characters have a lot of latitude to explore their dreams while keeping their feet firmly planted in their faith.
In The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unlikely Match, this struggle comes to a head when Mary Yoder falls in love with an Englischer (someone who is not a member of the Amish faith) and must decideif she’s going to choose the love of her life or stay in the community. It can be a heart-wrenching choice.
Your books often feature rich, multi-dimensional side characters. Can you share how you craft these supporting characters to enhance the main storyline? I love writing secondary characters who are quirky, endearing, and funny. I often use them as a foil to my main characters, either helping them see themselves more clearly or motivating them to change their ways. In The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unattached Neighbor, one of my favorite characters is Cathy Larsen, an Englisch octogenarian who doesn’t mince words, likes to meddle in other people’s lives, and always seems to be on some new diet. She tries to make certain Ada doesn’t fall in love with Enos, then helps Ada win his heart in the end.
Humour plays a big role in your writing. How do you weave comedic moments into your stories while maintaining the emotional depth of your characters’ journeys?
Next to writing romance, writing humor is my favorite thing. Most situations are funny when we step back and give them time and distance. Small actions and events can be wildly funny, like Cathy Larsen’s latest liver cleanse or Ada’s insistence that her tent is as sanitary as her kitchen. I hope readers can see themselves in my stories. Laughing is much more therapeutic than crying.
