Chatting with Author Amanda Barratt about My Dearest Dietrich
I had the pleasure to get to know Amanda Barratt better during a writing conference last year in Nashville. She is a fantastic person as well as a wonderful historical fiction author. Come find out more about her. Thanks for chatting with me, Amanda!
Stacy: Congratulations on your newest novel, My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Lost Love,
which released on June 9th.
Can you tell us about your novel, and what drew you to his story?
Amanda: My
Dearest Dietrich tells the little-known love story of
Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maria von Wedemeyer. I first heard Bonhoeffer’s story in Eric
Metaxas’s Seven Men: And the Secret of
Their Greatness—an impeccable look at several great men throughout history.
But I wasn’t inspired to write about Dietrich until I came across a quote from Love Letters from Cell 92, which is a
compilation of the letters he exchanged with his fiancée during their
engagement. When I read the quote, the dots connected in my mind. “Wait.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer had a fiancée?” The minute I began reading about Maria von
Wedemeyer, I knew this was a story begging to be told.
I’ve always been drawn to fictionalized accounts of real-life
individuals, as well as having been fascinated by World War II for years, so it
was a joy to be able to combine those two elements to create My Dearest Dietrich.
Stacy: I’d imagine writing this novel took many hours of research.
Do you ever visit the places where your novels are set?
Amanda: It
definitely did! The research for My Dearest Dietrich was more in-depth
than any project, I’ve undertaken before. Not only did I want to familiarize
myself extensively with World War II Germany, I needed to immerse myself in
Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maria von Wedemeyer’s lives. Since they were real
individuals, I felt an immense responsibility to stay true to their essence. I
read volumes of letters written by Bonhoeffer, the correspondence between
Bonhoeffer and Maria compiled in the book Love
Letters from Cell 92, Bonhoeffer’s sermons and books, and Bonhoeffer
biographies galore! I loved discovering new facets of their lives, and weaving them
throughout the novel.
Though I’d love to take a
trip to Germany someday, I wasn’t able to during the research process. The only
place I’ve written about that I’ve actually visited is Niagara Falls. It was an
incredible experience!
Stacy: Do pieces of the region where you live or characteristics
of family or friends ever sneak into the pages of your books?
Amanda: To a degree, yes. I think the sum of every author’s
experiences finds its way into their work, be it ever so subtle. I would
definitely say there’s a bit of myself in every character I write, some more
than others. And probably bits and pieces of people I know find their way into
my stories, though I’ve never set out to base a character on a particular
person.
Stacy: Amanda, you also had another book that released last year, My Heart Belongs in Niagara
Falls, New York: Adele’s Journey. I truly enjoyed reading this wonderful
book. Could you compare and contrast My Dearest Dietrich with My
Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York?
Amanda: Aww, thank you so much, Stacy! I’m so glad you enjoyed Drew
and Adele’s story!
My Heart Belongs in
Niagara Falls, New York is quite different than My Dearest Dietrich. For one thing, it’s much shorter, and
historical romance, rather than historical fiction. It was also written for a
series where each book revolved around a different destination, so the setting plays
a big role in the story. Both stories, however, are written with the same goal
in mind—to immerse readers in history and draw them closer to Christ.
Stacy: Do any of the movies you watch or books that you read
influence your story ideas? And, what are some of the books you’re currently
reading?
Amanda: I love this question! In a subtle way, I think I’m
influenced by everything I watch or read. As I’m influenced as a person, I’m
influenced as an artist. I’m always reading. When I go a few days without
reading and try to write, I notice it’s more difficult. Like a plant that
needs to be continually watered to produce leaves or flowers, I need to be
constantly “watering” my mind, to produce good writing.
At the time of this post (early April), I just finished two
outstanding novels. The first is Allison Pittman’s The Seamstress. It’s one of the most moving historical novels I’ve
read in a while. I loved the parallels to A
Tale of Two Cities. Also, I recently read Stephanie Morrill’s Within These Lines. This beautiful novel
introduced me to a part of World War II history I honestly didn’t know much
about. It’s one of those books where parts are uncomfortable to read but in a
good, eye-opening way. I highly recommend it!
Stacy: I have to ask, since the title of the blog names a beverage, what type of tea do you prefer?
Amanda: Decaf green or peppermint tea are my go to’s, but for a
treat, I love a chai latte. I wish I had one now! :-)
Stacy: I love a good chai latte too! Amanda, could you
give us a hint as to what you're currently creating for your readers?
Amanda: I can’t say too much yet, but I do have another World War II
novel in the works, set to release from Kregel in 2020. Like My Dearest Dietrich, this novel is also
based on real people and events. I’m so excited to introduce it to readers!
Stacy: That sounds very intriguing, we'll have to look for it in 2020. Thank you again, Amanda. It was a lot of fun chatting with
you!
Thank you, Stacy!
I count it a blessing to know you, and am so thankful for our friendship!
I treasure our friendship as well, it is a joy to know you.
About My Dearest Dietrich
A staggering
love illuminating the dark corners of a Nazi prison…
Renowned German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is
famous for his resistance to the Nazi regime and for his allegiance to God over
government. But what few realize is that the last years of his life also held a
love story that rivals any romance novel.
Maria von Wedemeyer knows the realities of war. Her beloved
father and brother have both been killed on the battlefield. The last thing
this spirited young woman needs is to fall for a man under constant surveillance
by the Gestapo. How can she give another piece of her heart to a man so likely
to share the same final fate? Yet when Dietrich Bonhoeffer, an old family
friend, comes to comfort the von Wedemeyers after their losses, she discovers
that love isn't always logical.
Dietrich himself has determined to keep his distance from
romantic attachments. There is too much work to be done for God, and his
involvement in the conspiracy is far too important. But when he encounters a
woman whose intelligence and conviction match his own, he's unprepared for how
easy it is to give away his heart.
With their deep love comes risk--and neither Dietrich nor Maria
is prepared for just how great that risk soon becomes.
Based on
detailed historical research, this true love story is at once beautiful and
heartrending. My Dearest Dietrich sheds new light on a
world-famous theologian . . . and the woman who changed his life.
Links to
Amanda's website and social media:
Amazon link for My Dearest Dietrich: https://amzn.to/2UINshB
Website--www.amandabarratt.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amandabarrattauthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AmandaMBarratt
About Amanda
ECPA
best-selling author Amanda Barratt fell in love with writing in grade school
when she wrote her first story—a spinoff of Jane
Eyre. Now, Amanda writes romantic, historical fiction, penning stories of
beauty and brokenness set against the backdrop of bygone eras not so very
different from our own. Her novel My
Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Lost Love, released from
Kregel Publications in June 2019.
She’s also the
author of My Heart Belongs in Niagara
Falls, New York: Adele’s Journey, as well as seven novellas with Barbour
Publishing. Two of her novellas have been finalists in the FHL Reader’s Choice
Awards.
Amanda lives in
the woods of Michigan with her fabulous family, where she can be found reading
way too many books, plotting her next novel and jotting down imaginary travel
itineraries for her dream vacation to Europe.
Connect with
her on Facebook and visit her online at amandabarratt.net.
Thanks for sharing about this book, Stacy. My book club is scheduled to read "Love Letters from Cell 92" , but as I began reading it in preparation for our meeting, I found it a bit dry. When I read your blog about a historical fiction book about Dietrich and Maria, I couldn't wait to download it. Amanda has obviously studied her craft. The story reads smoothly, engaging readers as it pushes us to turn each page without putting the book down. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHello Marie! You are welcome, I appreciate you stopping by. Amanda is a very talented writer, I'm reading My Dearest Dietrich right now, and her beautiful story has me hooked. Have a wonderful night!!
DeleteThank you so much, Marie! This is so very kind of you! I'm truly honored you enjoyed the story! Blessings!
DeleteGreat interview, Stacy!! Yay, Amanda!! I can't wait to read your book soon!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Morgan! Amanda's book is awesome, happy reading!! Thanks for visiting the blog : )
DeleteThank you so much, Morgan! So glad you enjoyed the interview!
DeleteYou're welcome!!
Delete