Intersection Column | A Fish Out of Water
- mtlmagazine
- May 26
- 4 min read
by Shelley Shepard Gray
I do love when a story revolves around two people from completely different worlds. It’s a common storyline in movies, both in dramas and comedies. It’s fun to see a character fumble and then eventually succeed in their new surroundings. Anytime Sweet Home Alabama, Doc Holiday, or any other movie with that same theme is on TV, I can’t help but watch it for a spell.
I don’t usually focus on this trope in my Amish-centered novels, mainly because I don’t think of the Amish living all that differently than their ‘English’ counterparts. Most of my books are centered around family and relationships and hopes and dreams. Everyone—no matter what their background—can relate to these things.
Then I was reminded about the movie Witness. It’s an older movie. In it, an Amish woman and her son are put in danger when the son witnesses a murder. The cop hero ends up dressing Amish in order to keep them safe . . . and the story goes on from there.
Since I love the setting of Crittenden County, KY, I decided to write a ‘fish out of water’ novel myself-with a nod to Witness. In my book, a very sheltered Amish woman witnesses a murder and is forced to go into hiding on a ranch in Kentucky. She’s forced to trust a number of strangers with her safety—and must even change her appearance so no one will discover where she is.
Every author I know writes a book differently. I don’t think there’s a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to write a book as long as it gets done on time! (I love turning in a manuscript on time.) For me, I usually begin a book when I ‘hear’ the characters talking in my head. I work on that scene and then go on from there. Luckily, the scene I hear is almost always the first scene in a book. That didn’t happen with Unshaken.
The first scene I wrote for Unshaken fell right in the middle of the story. The action and the characters and the pain and all their hopes were so clear to me, so vivid, I knew it was important. Unfortunately, that meant I had to go back and figure out how to turn that scene into an almost 400-page novel. It wasn’t easy! There were moments when I thought it would be a lot easier to delete that first scene and write something easier. I didn’t dare go that route, though. After all this time, I’ve learned to trust my instincts.
So, in this case, I guess Unshaken might be a ‘fish out of water’ book for me. It’s a little bit different than my usual storylines, it was written out of order, and even made me miss my deadline while I tried to wrangle the storyline and the multiple characters’ journeys.
All that chaos and confusion was worthwhile, however. Stephanie, Hardy, Bev, and Timothy’s storylines intertwined and finally produced a book I was proud to have written. I hope readers will enjoy it, too.
About the Author
Shelley Shepard Gray is The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, including Unforgiven and Unforgotten. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and a Carol Award finalist, Gray lives in Ohio where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail. Learn more at ShelleyShepardGray.com.
About the Book
When Stephanie Miller planned her visit to a dollar store in southern Ohio, she was not expecting to find herself as the sole witness to a murder and the next target of the gunman. Now she must dress in English clothing and hide on the sprawling ranch that belongs to Hardy Anderson. But the killer is desperate—and there's no telling what lengths he will go.
Did You Know?
The Book of Joshua contains no new laws. Yet it marks a decisive shift in Israel’s history. No longer wandering, they are called to conquer the Promised Land through obedience and unwavering trust in God. Their new leader was Joshua—faithful, loyal, and trustworthy. Stepping into Moses’ shoes may have seemed daunting, but Joshua was equipped by divine command and strengthened by God's unmatched authority.
Divine strength commands courage. In Joshua 1, God speaks directly to Joshua three times: “Be strong and courageous.” This was not a pep talk—it was a heavenly mandate. God promised His mighty presence would uphold Joshua in every battle, giving him the strength to lead with unwavering clarity and supernatural power.
Jesus appears to Joshua. On the eve of battling Jericho, Joshua meets a warrior unlike any other—the pre-incarnate Christ, Commander of the Lord’s armies. This moment was not just strategic; it was sacred. God Himself stood with Joshua in visible power, affirming His control over every victory.
Joshua issues a call to choose. Seasoned in war and wisdom, Joshua stands before Israel at the end of his life and declares: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” His bold challenge reaches through time and space to believers today.
The same God who flattened Jericho’s walls empowers you. The King of kings calls you to rise in faith. Step in. Stand firm. Live in God’s promises, because the battle belongs to the Lord.
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