Inspirational author, Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the setting for her Amish romances, and she frequently visits Amish friends, who help to ensure the accuracy of her novels. She is the author of more than 2300 articles and 50 books in print.

The following transcript is a shortened version of the original recording.

Tracy:    Hey there. Welcome to another episode of Buggy Talk. I'm your host, Tracy Fredrychowski, and each week I bring you the story behind the stories, along with the storytellers. For this week's episode, we have USA Today's Best Selling Author. Rachel J. Good and she grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her Amish novels.

Good morning, Rachel, how are you this morning?

Rachel: I'm fine. Thanks, Tracy. Nice to be with you.

Tracy: We are so happy to have you here. I've been talking you up a little bit on Facebook, and people are very excited about this interview. You know, I probably have read more of your books than I've probably read almost any other Amish author. And that was before I really started writing myself. So, I actually sort of look up to you. I don't know if that embarrasses you at all, but I really enjoy your style of writing. 

I'm very tickled that you've joined us today. Before we get started chatting about the Amish Christmas Miracles Collection. I like to take our listeners behind the scenes a little bit so that they can get to know you.

So, can you tell us what your work schedules like when you write?

Rachel: Well, I have a lot of book contracts, so there's really rarely a time when I'm not writing. I guess you could say most of my life just revolves around writing.

Tracy: What do you, what do you think your most interesting quirk is when it comes to writing? You know, some people can only write in their PJs. You know, some people don't sit at a desk, they sit on their sofa, I know, Laura Bradford, she doesn't like to sit at a desk.  She sits in her comfy chair. And that's where, where she's the most creative. Where do you think you're the most creative?

Rachel: I prefer PJ's, I'm sitting on my bed actually with a laptop easiest. I generally do my best writing from 10 o'clock at night to like two or three in the morning.

Tracy:  I like to write outside. I'm the most creative when I'm sitting on my back porch. So we all have our little zones that we go off into and, you know, we escape into our, into our stories. Rachel, you grew up in Lancaster County. So you have a lot of background in the Amish community. Is that where you do most of your research? 

Rachel: Most of my books are set in Lancaster County. I love the research part. I find whenever I'm visiting my Amish friends; I always get lots of story ideas. And then I drive around Amish country and see settings. And that gives me an idea for a story. So I go back many times to, you know, to visit the places and, you know, talk to the people there and meet the Amish people who are there. 

Tracy: Your latest release, His Pretend Amish Bride from your Unexpected Amish Blessing Series. Can you tell us a little bit about that, and what is the main inspiration for it?

Rachel: This book is set on an Amish camel farm, and the way I came up with the story idea, we were traveling in Lancaster County. And we went around a bend, and we spotted camels in a field. Actually, they had camels and water Buffalo, and it was so surprising. You know, I had to stop and take pictures. And once I saw those mama camels and th