It’s the first week of school in some places! As children head back, even if at the dining room table, it’s never too late to learn something new. New challenges, new ways of learning, new ways of teaching. Many parents have never sat in the head of the class desk before. I used to help in my son’s classes once a week, but our boys didn’t want to home school. They wanted to be around other kids. I did not fit the bill.
I asked my husband if he ever wished he’d learned to play the piano and he said, “Yes, but it hasn’t done me any good.” Our piano has turned into a photo stand.
When I wrote A Portrait of Marguerite, I had much to learn about writing, for sure. But I dove in, read about writing, attended conferences, and found an agent who sold my manuscript. I had studied art in college and it’s still of great interest to me. Weaving it into the story’s fabric was a natural.
After years of honing her skills, my aunt made marvelous petite quilts.
Wishing to write Amish fiction, I read about the Amish every night and visited Lancaster County countless times. We have Mennonite relatives in New Holland in Lancaster County. Getting to know them better was a treat. And I contacted noted Prof. Kraybill emeritus and his assistant Steve Scott of Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College. Both men were generous with their time, knowledge, and support. And friendship.
As my bestselling Amish books accumulated, I also wrote other manuscripts. I’m a woman of many interests. Among them are travel, music, and singing. I have traveled by bus through Great Britain a number of times, not counting family trips with my father at the wheel on the wrong side of the road. When I sang with the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society we ventured to a competition in Buxton, England, an area I’d never been to before. I was in the chorus, but we came home the winners! My biggest mistake? Bringing too large a suitcase. Now I travel carry on only. I put everything down as learning experiences.
And now I’m learning how to self-publish, as several of my favorite authors are. An adventure in itself. Writing Stage Fright I experienced the fun of writing about many of the cities and marvelous churches I’ve visited. Not to mention the terrifying auditions I’ve endured. I enjoyed singing on stage and love my vocal coach Marianne Weltmann, but performances kept me up too late. I get my best writing done in the early morning. Of all my pastimes, writing comes in first!
Kate Lloyd performing with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society in Buxton, Great Britain
I wonder how you spend your days. Reading is always a delightful option. What would I do without reading? And readers! Thanks to each of you.
Enter to win my Giveaway: a $100. Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of my newest paperback Stage Fright! US and Canada only. Winner has 3 days to respond.
I love reading , especially on my days off from work. I enjoy all types but love Amish books the most !
I love reading and am also a musician, having played organ and piano for many years. This book sounds fascinating to me. I also write children’s books.
Reading allows me to escape to places I will never get to visit in real life. It is always exciting to live thru the eyes & words of the author. Sometimes I feel like they have snatched bits and pieces out of my brain because some things really hit the heart hard. Love to read while enjoying my porch during nice weather and snuggle up under a comforter when the cold arrives and I need to stay inside. Thank you for the selection of books you write!
I want to be better at quilting, and photography, but I really love to get into calligraphy.
Love reading Kate’s books they are very good and interesting
Mrs Kate, I didn’t know you performed, lovely picture.
I have always have had a love for Amish quilts so beautifully made, my aunt who passed away almost 3yrs ago this Friday did lovely crocheting and knitting. Thank you for this amazing giveaway, all the wonderful places I could continue visiting if I could win.
Blessings always
Keren
Every night around 7 pm all electronics are turned off. I escape into the lives of others . Read every night
I learn new things every single day, I am constantly reading and always love learning new techniques to better my sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, etc. I love learning!
I would love to learn quilting
I do read every day, I go into another room and sit in my recliner and read Amish books, it’s so relaxing !
I love to read and I’m a good reader just have to make more time for me And read…..I love Amish stories and stories about families… especially sisters
I would love to improve on my language skills. I want to speak another language namely French. I see the need to be multilingual.
I love delving into the deep things of the Bible and studying theology. I am working my way through John MacArthur’s Systematic Theology book. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gone to seminary…not to be a pastor, but for all the varied Bible courses I could take. I love to encourage women to love God’s Word and “grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.”
Reading is my favorite pastime! Love your Amish fiction books
I would love to learn to quilt. And crochet.
I love to read and bake/cook
I love reading your posts Kate. I love to read and I have always told my children and grandchildren that you can learn so much by reading.
Looking forward to this new book! Reading and gardening have kept me sane during this time of quarantine!
I love to read. I should spend more time writing. You look beautiful in your picture.
Kate, your so adorable! I love all your books!
Love your books
I Love to read and I love baking Thank you Kate for sharing your post with us!
Your books are are always enjoyable.
I love your books and can’t wait to read Stage Freight. I have all you’ve written either in paperback or from Kindle.
I love your books. Can’t wait to read Stage Fright
Oh this is such a sweet blog post. I homeschool my 11 year old son. I’ve always homeschooled him. I do a lot of stuff to keep me busy. My husband and I have our own piano business, I work at my church office Mon thru Thursday from 12-3, my son takes violin lessons and next week we will be starting our homeschool group for PE. We’ll see how that goes.
And of course with a house comes house work, laundry, cleaning and yard work.
When I have free time, I love to bake: sweet breads, cookies, bars, fudge and my famous candied pecans. I make 6 flavors: cinnamon, salt, vanilla, chocolate, pumpkin, and coffee. Oh I can’t forget about taking care of my wild birds by filling up their feeders and watching them play in the water fountain I have. And of course, I love to read.
My niece loves to read.Would love to win for Bianca.