FROM HERE TO THERE
By Bill Kavanaugh
IN THE 1980s, MARTHA JOHNSON OF BLOOMSBURG was a Sunday school teacher who dreamed of becoming a writer. Now, 35 books later, she's in the midst of releasing a series of Amish romance fiction novels set in Central Pennsylvania written under the pen name Marta Perry.
Recently, Amish romance fiction or "bonnet books" have been making national best seller lists and interest about Amish life is growing. Johnson explains: "I think a lot of people have a longing for a simpler life. We have all this technology which is supposed to make our lives easier, and make it simpler for us to keep in touch with people, but instead we sit in front of our computers and lose touch maybe with the people around us."
She also believes many admire the Amish because of their willingness to be different and their courage to live by faith and its principles. Her writing career began while serving as religious education director for her Church. Her first submission, a story for a children's Sunday school paper, was rejected. But handwritten on the bottom of the form letter was a glimmer of encouragement: "Nice story. Try us again."
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