By now, if you’ve been following me here or on Facebook for any time at all, you’ve realized my enthusiasm for this delightful young writer. Let me officially introduce you to Jolina Petersheim–wife, mom, friend, and gifted storyteller. Her debut, The Outcast, released this month, and is the best novel I’ve read so far this year. Keep reading for your chance to win a copy of your own.

Jolina, welcome to Story Matters. Tell us a bit about yourself, your family, your writer’s journey.

I am twenty-six and 5’ 2’’ (in heels). I enjoy hiking with my one-year-old daughter strapped on my back and our Akita dog, Kashi, for protection against wild boar—though I’ve only seen one up close once. I enjoy cooking new things but hate following recipes. I love thrift-store shopping for treasures, like hardback books with deckled pages or too small Italian shoes. I have known my husband since I was fifteen, but I first tried to match him up with my best friend in the world, who I have known since I was two.

(It obviously did not work out, but I later matched her up with an English major buddy of mine, and that worked out lovely. They’re married after much drama-worthy to-do.)

My husband and I share a Plain background that originated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but we actually met here, in the mountains of Tennessee. (Our fathers even attended the same Mennonite high school.) We met at church through my husband’s formerly Amish grandfather, Amos Stoltzfus, who encouraged my family to visit. Grandpa Amos was a wonderful, lively man, and I partly based my character in The Outcast, Amos King, after him.

My husband and I are both drawn to a simple life, reminiscent of our heritage (our long-term goal is to live off the land), but we do not intend to drive a horse and buggy any time soon. We have a darling little girl, who is one, and who is about ¼ my size already (she takes after daddy!). It is a dream come true to be able to work from home and be with her. I know I am blessed.

I have loved stories all my life, and I have always loved people. Soon I realized that these two passions of mine really fit. I began to listen to the stories of those around me and found that everyone had an epic to tell. Some epics, of course, were more entertaining than others, but always there was love and sorrow and joy all intertwined. Snippets of these I committed to memory. I began jotting them down when I was about six years old and haven’t stopped since, filling journal after journal with horrible handwriting that I then recited to my best friend while perched in a tree. Now, I simply force my husband to read my first drafts. Thankfully, he loves me well and is such a good sport….

Isn’t Christian fiction already saturated with Amish novels? Why write another one?

Though I have a Plain background, I never intended to write Amish fiction. I still, honestly, think that the term “Amish fiction” evokes the image of a Utopian world that is quite different from what I am trying to convey. Though I certainly do not intend to criticize my heritage, as the Plain community’s hard work ethic and love for family needs to be imitated by us all, I also want to reveal that the “gentle people” are still people. They still struggle with sin like the rest of the world and need to seek repentance and healing like everyone else.

You’ve said that the story of The Outcast was a gift given to you. What do you mean by that?

A few years ago, some members of our immediate family were going through a very difficult time; therefore, it was a time of testing for us all. During this season, a story was told to me about the power of desire and the reverberating cost after that desire was left unchecked; a story that, shockingly enough, took place in an idyllic Old Order Mennonite community. The story had repercussions that trickled down through the generations, but one woman stood up against the curse and sought repentance and healing. This woman’s bravery brought much redemption; I like to believe the family is still being redeemed today.

I did not start writing The Outcast right then, as many aspects of the story were too close at hand, but after a few years passed and our family received healing, the seed of the story began to bloom inside me. I completed The Outcast two months before my daughter was born.

When you first envisioned The Outcast, did you see it as a modern-day retelling of The Scarlet Letter, or did that reveal itself later?

When I started imagining characters in my head, I remembered The Scarlet Letter (which was my favorite book in high school) and the desperation Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale feels when his sin brands his chest and yet he still wants to hide it from the Puritanical world. But eventually, his inner turmoil supersedes his outward façade of calm. This inward/outward dichotomy fit so well with the premise of The Outcast that I knew I wanted to pay homage to The Scarlet Letter. Plus, I believe that the Old Order Mennonites are about as close to Puritan life as we, Englischers, can get.

However, recently I read Margot Livesey’s wonderfully literary modern retelling of Jane Eyre called, The Flight of Gemma Hardy. I had the privilege of hearing Livesey speak at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville (where I will be holding a panel this year!), and she said that she wanted to name her book, No Attics to prove that though her novel pays homage to Jane Eyre, that does not mean it is an exact depiction of Jane Eyre.

I believe the same with my own novel: some events in The Outcast will play out according to The Scarlet Letter and others will be entirely new. I think the surprise makes it rather fun to read; it was sure fun to write!

You’re a fairly new mom. Tell us how you balance being a wife, mom and writer all at the same time.

As I mentioned earlier, I entered the publishing world shortly after my young daughter entered ours. Without knowing it, I trained my newborn to be an insomniac with a voracious appetite, because I believe she would shrivel up if she didn’t eat every two hours. This made it rather hard for a while. But she started sleeping through the night around ten months and really got it down at one year (hooray!).

Through that difficult period, my writing was my tether. Sometimes, after supper, I would sit on the front porch and write while my husband sat inside, rocking our brutzing child. I will admit that there were moments when I did not think I could do it, but that was when my husband, mother, or mother-in-law would come swooping in and make supper, fold laundry, or allow me to go to the library for a few hours to write.

Right now, actually, my husband and daughter are both sleeping like little (er, big?) cherubs, and I’m so happy to announce that through prayer and much support, I finished writing my second contracted book today!

What is the best part about The Outcast’s publication?

At this point, before my book launch, I would have to say that the Tyndale fiction team has been the best part about publication. They have helped this little fledging writer every step of the way, offering encouragement and sound advice. Through them, I have not only found a seamless corporation, but a support group of cherished friends.

Most challenging?

Finding balance, without a doubt! : )

Why does *story* matter to you?

I believe God put in our hearts the need for story. If you open the Word, you can read about heartache and hope (Ruth), grief and redemption (Job), and insurmountable love (Genesis through Revelation). Story is everything. It is literally the breath of Life. I pray that as long as I inhabit this body I can use my breath to bring life to my generation and the generations to come.

Jolina has generously offered to send a copy of The Outcast to one fortunate reader of my blog. Leave a comment on this post to be entered into that drawing. I also encourage you to stop by Jolina’s charming blog, where you can continue to connect with her. You can view the book’s trailer below, and if you’re not my drawing’s lucky winner, you may purchase your own copy here.