Ask the Author: Saloma Miller Furlong
Answered Questions (6)
Saloma Miller Furlong
Hello Miriam,
It is touching to know that you have read "Bonnet Strings" a second time.
Yes, for years David and I had a cordial relationship with my parents. We would visit them at least once a year. My father died in 2004 and my mother in 2005. In my first book, I write about traveling back to Ohio for my father's funeral. I was amazed at the reception I received from my former community members. I also traveled back for my mother's funeral.
My relationship with my siblings is difficult. Only my two brothers stayed Amish. Even though my sisters all left, they did not approve of my first book. And my older sister died of cancer in 2009. So essentially I am an island in my family, with sporadic communications with one sister.
It is touching to know that you have read "Bonnet Strings" a second time.
Yes, for years David and I had a cordial relationship with my parents. We would visit them at least once a year. My father died in 2004 and my mother in 2005. In my first book, I write about traveling back to Ohio for my father's funeral. I was amazed at the reception I received from my former community members. I also traveled back for my mother's funeral.
My relationship with my siblings is difficult. Only my two brothers stayed Amish. Even though my sisters all left, they did not approve of my first book. And my older sister died of cancer in 2009. So essentially I am an island in my family, with sporadic communications with one sister.
Saloma Miller Furlong
I always had the idea that I would continue the story I started in "Why I Left the Amish." The first book only goes to the point when I left the Amish the first time. "Bonnet Strings: An Amish Woman's Ties to Two Worlds" is the fruition of that idea.
Saloma Miller Furlong
My inspiration comes from within. When it's there, I write. When it's not, I wait.
Saloma Miller Furlong
What is any "aspiring writer"? I think you are either a writer or you're not. If you are an "aspiring author" that is another story. It means that you want to get your writing published.
Persistence is the key, I think. In this digital age, we are used to having our needs and desires met instantly. But if you are going to have your books accepted by a publisher, it means believing in your writing even after receiving numerous rejections. It took me seventeen years (yes 17!) from the time I began writing for an audience to the time I finally had my first book published. For me it came down to believing it is meant to be, then it will happen. And finally it did.
Persistence is the key, I think. In this digital age, we are used to having our needs and desires met instantly. But if you are going to have your books accepted by a publisher, it means believing in your writing even after receiving numerous rejections. It took me seventeen years (yes 17!) from the time I began writing for an audience to the time I finally had my first book published. For me it came down to believing it is meant to be, then it will happen. And finally it did.
Saloma Miller Furlong
I once read that our culture is obsessed with "EST." (Best, prettiest, slimmest, youngest, etc.) The kinds of comparison that it takes to determine the "best" freezes my brain every time. So instead of doing that, I will list the things I find are GOOD about being a writer.
1. I am doing what I feel called to do. At this time in my life, I cannot do otherwise.
2. It is the form of self-reflection that best fits my personality. I have always loved language in all its forms.
3. The interaction with readers everywhere is very rewarding. This is sometimes in person at events and sometimes via email or my blog. When someone makes a comment at one of my events that illustrates how deeply she has identified with a particular passage or message in one of my books, it brings tears to my eyes. THIS is the just reward for following my bliss.
1. I am doing what I feel called to do. At this time in my life, I cannot do otherwise.
2. It is the form of self-reflection that best fits my personality. I have always loved language in all its forms.
3. The interaction with readers everywhere is very rewarding. This is sometimes in person at events and sometimes via email or my blog. When someone makes a comment at one of my events that illustrates how deeply she has identified with a particular passage or message in one of my books, it brings tears to my eyes. THIS is the just reward for following my bliss.
Saloma Miller Furlong
I have experienced both what I call temporary writer's block and long-term writer's block. The temporary kind is basically my mind needing a rest from writing, and as I do other things, I think about how to approach the next scene or chapter in my writing. My best time for doing so is when I am falling asleep at night or waking in the morning. By the time I sit down to write again, I have worked through the writer's block and my thoughts again flow out onto the screen or paper.
Long-term writer's block is different. About three years after leaving the Amish, there was one period in my life when I could not write. It was not until after I had gone through several years of intensive therapy that I could resume writing. So writer's block for me is an indication that I need to work through something emotionally.
Even through my writer's block, I still kept a journal. So I would also say that writer's block has to do with fear of criticism from my audience. Journal writing is safe, and so it was a way for me to continue the craft, without facing a public audience.
Now that I have two books out there and have received both negative and positive comments on my writing, I realize that not everyone will like my writing. That's okay, because I don't like every book I pick up, either. And so I trust that my writing will reach the people who will benefit from it, and I let the rest go.
Long-term writer's block is different. About three years after leaving the Amish, there was one period in my life when I could not write. It was not until after I had gone through several years of intensive therapy that I could resume writing. So writer's block for me is an indication that I need to work through something emotionally.
Even through my writer's block, I still kept a journal. So I would also say that writer's block has to do with fear of criticism from my audience. Journal writing is safe, and so it was a way for me to continue the craft, without facing a public audience.
Now that I have two books out there and have received both negative and positive comments on my writing, I realize that not everyone will like my writing. That's okay, because I don't like every book I pick up, either. And so I trust that my writing will reach the people who will benefit from it, and I let the rest go.
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