“Never wish a thing done; do it!” (Shaker saying)
I’ve shared with some of you on my Facebook page that I’m working on a new Shaker book. I’ve also probably shared with you here on One Writer’s Journal that I never planned to write more than one book about the Shakers. That first book, The Outsider, took years to be published. I had written it and my agent at the time had submitted it to many publishing companies with no takers. The book then ended up on my reject shelf for years until I published an inspirational fiction novel with Revell Books. My editor at Revell made a casual comment about an interest in the Shakers that led to me saying just as casually that I had written a book about the Shakers once, she offered to read the manuscript. Eventually after some rewrites, I did send her the book. Eventually after some suggested edits by my editor, her company did publish the story.
I was still at the one Shaker book mindset. However, this was during a popular time for Amish books – a popular time that continues since there are so many readers who love reading the Amish novels. So my editor asked if I would consider writing two more Shaker books. I was reluctant to agree. I wasn’t sure I could write more stories about Shakers and keep things fresh. I wasn’t sure I wanted to write more books about the Shakers.
I consider my novels more historical stories rather than historical romances, but I do like having romance in my stories. Romance and Shakers don’t go together. Shakers didn’t believe in romantic love. They were a celibate society who lived as brothers and sisters. So any romance had to be sneaked in through the back door and once characters did choose romance, they could no longer be Shakers. They were out the door.
But my editor was persuasive. I had spent several writing years with no editors wanting what I was writing. I could hardly turn down an editor asking to see new stories from me, wanting to publish what I wrote. So I agreed to write two more Shaker books. Then I had this secondary character in the third book, The Seeker, and she just kept jumping up and down and demanding I let her be the main character and tell her story. She became Lacey in my fourth Shaker novel, The Blessed. Lacey was a great character, down to earth but caught in a hard situation. She never fit in with the Shakers. Ever. I would have stopped there, but my editor said I couldn’t just contract for one Shaker book. I had to agree to two. And so I got to know Jessamine and let her tell her story in The Gifted. I loved her name and I loved the Shaker journalist in that book, Sister Sophrena.
Not long after that book, my agent and my editor were visiting me and we did a little what if talking. So what if I wrote a Shaker Christmas book? Sounded easy. The Christmas books are novellas. How long would it take to write that? Well, longer than I expected, of course. I don’t write short easily. I had to write the story and then cut out thousands of words to get it down to the shorter length. But it was fun bringing Sister Sophrena back from The Gifted and letting her be a major character in Christmas at Harmony Hill. In this one, I had romance right from the beginning.
So now, I’m surely through with Shakers. But then, my son-in-law kept saying why didn’t I write a Shaker mystery. I told him I didn’t know how I could do that and he would say write it about a Shaker and a sheriff. And so I did just that in The Innocent. I not only had that Shaker and the sheriff, I also had a dog, Asher, as one of the star characters. I have fun putting dogs in my stories.
I never thought to write another Shaker book, but I guess it’s best to never say never. In a weak moment, I decided to write yet another Shaker book. Now as I try to pull the story out of my head, I’m wondering if I should have. But I have often felt this same worry and doubts with the other books I’ve written. Writing a book is not an easy task. At least, not for me. Right now I’m wondering if I’m wandering around in a forest of words with no paths to find my way out. But I know that if I keep putting one word after another, the story will get written. Once written, it can always be improved on a second go through or a third go through. So yes, I am writing yet another Shaker story. Maybe my last Shaker story for real this time, but then there is that never say never.
As always, thanks for reading. Have you read any of my Shaker stories? Will you be glad to see a new one?
Comments 21
Ann, I think I’ve read all your Shaker stories. Pretty sure I’ve related that my great grandmother did romance a tanner who lived outside the village, thus her expulsion. Would I be here, had she not succumbed to the Tanner? Her name was Dorcas.
I do so look forward to another Shaker adventure and would love to revisit Pleasant Hill. Makes my heart sing remembering all the tales told.
Author
You have told me that, Helen, about your great grandmother and the tanner. I should have used it in my current book and maybe I will with a bit of a twist. I’ve got to get my character out of the Shaker village somehow. 🙂 And Dorcas is a great name for a Shaker character too. Had the tanner not come along, you might not be writing to me, for sure. But in spite of the Shakers’ diligence at keeping the men and women apart, romance did happen from time to time.
Thanks for sharing your story and for reading my stories. They’ve made a lot of changes at Pleasant Hill. I think they must have funding issues as they’ve gone back to more of a museum display without as many workers re-enacting the Shaker ways that made the village a living history museum. They do still have some.
Ann I have not read any of your Shaker books. I would love to have a list of them and where I can find them. Love the books I have read. Thank you so much for the hours of reading enjoyment.
Gail Bennett
Medina, Tn.
Author
Hi, Gail. Thank you so much for reading some of my books and for your interest in my Shaker books. The Shaker books are all set in the same fictional Shaker village or at least partly set there, but they are all stand-alone stories that can be read in any order. Some people like to read them in the order I wrote and published them. Either way, you can check them out by going to the Shaker book page here on my website. https://www.annhgabhart.com/series/the-shaker-books/ The books are shown in the order they were published. All of them are available on the internet at various book sites such as Amazon. I have buy buttons on the book pages that take you to the links. If you don’t like shopping online, a bookstore could probably order the books for you or I could send you some from here. Just private message me from the contact page her on my website if you decide you’d like to get any of them directly from me.
I really enjoyed all your Shaker books! Being able to visit Shaker Village and walk through those buildings and actually see the furniture gave me such a strong visual for your stories in my imagination . I am very glad you are writing another Shaker book and can’t wait to read it!
Author
I’ve had people say they made a side trip to the Shaker village here after reading some of my books. I appreciate you reading my books, Sandy, and hope my words matched what you saw in the village.
I have enjoyed a few of your Shaker books. Interesting how God used others to get you to write more stories about the Shakers. Looking forward to reading another one. Blessings, Ann.
Author
Indeed, Robin. I would have never written about the Shakers more than that first book without the encouragement of my editor. But I’ve enjoyed walking the Shaker story road.
I’ve never read one of your books that I didn’t like.😊 The first bookI read by you was a Shaker novel.
Author
Thanks, Karen. I appreciate your encouraging words.
Ann,
YES please!!!! I would totally read your next Shaker novel!
I have read every one of your Shaker novels (including the rest of your books), and each one is amazing!!!
I will be praying for you during this next writing adventure,friend!!! 🙂
~Psalm 146~
Author
Thank you, Emily. I am in need of those prayers and I so appreciate them. Sending prayers back your way too that blessings will light up your life.
Author
You all are the best. With this kind of encouragement, surely I will find a story. My character is there at the Shaker village but she doesn’t fit in. Now to brainstorm some more things to happen.
Yes and yes 🙂 Looking forward to it.
I can’t wait. I loved your Shaker books.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Can’t wait to read your new Shaker novel!
Yes, I’ve read your Shaker books and enjoyed them. I am glad that you are writing yet another one.
Author
I appreciate you all being ready for a new Shaker book, Lisa, Doris, and Shirley. Now if I can just get a new Shaker book written.
I love your shaker books, the first one was kind of hard to get into, but i decided to give it a nother try and since i knew what to expect the second one was better and well just to say they got better and better with each one, i would love a new one
Yes, I’ve read all your Shaker books and loved them. Passed them on to be read over and over . Would love another Shaker story. Will look forward to it.
I enjoyed reading your Shaker stories. I have them all and very much look forward to another one.