Meet Patrice Lewis
Patrice Lewis is an author, homesteader, and storyteller whose life blends simplicity, hard work, and creativity. Alongside her husband, she lives on a small self-sufficient farm where cows, chickens, and gardens are part of everyday life. “We’re modern homesteaders,” she says proudly. “Everything that happens here from milking to mending feeds into my writing.”
Patrice is best known for her inspirational Amish romances published under Harlequin’s Love Inspired line, where she has appeared on the Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller list multiple times. With 12 books in print and four more in progress, she continues to inspire readers with heartfelt stories rooted in faith, perseverance, and community. Beyond fiction, she also writes for several rural-themed magazines, offering practical wisdom drawn from her own homestead life.
The Story Behind Rachel’s Folly: A Romantic Mountain Adventure
Patrice’s latest book, Rachel’s Folly: A Romantic Mountain Adventure, explores what it might look like to return to pioneer values in modern times. “I’ve always been fascinated by the skills of the early settlers,” she explains. “They built homes and lives from wilderness. Rachel’s Folly asks what it would be like to do that today.”
Unlike her Harlequin titles, Rachel’s Folly doesn’t follow any set formula. It’s a passion project a story she describes as “the book of my heart.” After years of traditional publishing, Patrice decided to step into independent publishing to share this unique story directly with her readers.
Writing Habits and Creative Process
When asked about her writing process, Patrice laughs. “Writers like to romanticize creativity, but at the end of the day, it’s about putting the seat of your pants in the seat of your chair.”
She identifies as a plotter, not a pantser, meaning she outlines every chapter in detail before writing. “Plotting doesn’t come easily to me,” she admits. “But once I’ve built the outline, the writing becomes a joy.”
For her Love Inspired novels, Patrice writes half a chapter a day, finishing a manuscript in about six weeks. But Rachel’s Folly was different. “It didn’t fit any formula. It was a completely personal journey something I had to write my own way.”
Literary Influences
Among the authors who have shaped her storytelling, Patrice credits Anya Seton as her greatest inspiration. “Seton’s characters leap off the page,” she says. “Even decades later, books like Katherine and Green Darkness still feel alive.”
Patrice also draws inspiration from Bill Bryson, whose humor and keen eye for human nature resonate deeply with her own writing style.
What She’s Working On Now
Patrice is currently juggling several projects. “Aside from a few magazine articles, I have two fiction manuscripts in the works,” she says. One is a new Love Inspired romance, written comfortably ahead of schedule. The other is an independent project that’s already completed but undergoing editing.
She and her husband are also working on a self-published collection about rural living, blending practical homestead advice with stories from their life on the land.
Promoting Her Work
Patrice’s best marketing tool is her long-running blog, Rural Revolution (www.rural-revolution.com). “Many of my readers have followed me for over fifteen years,” she says. “They knew me long before I ever wrote fiction. They’re my biggest cheerleaders.”
In addition to her blog, Patrice uses Facebook and Twitter to connect with readers and promote her books. “I’m still building my audience on social media,” she admits, “but the blog remains my most loyal community.”
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Patrice’s advice to new writers is practical and honest: “Build your platform before you get published.”
“It may not sound fair,” she says, “but many agents look for authors who already have a following. If I hadn’t maintained my blog all these years, I doubt my agent would have taken me on.”
The Best Advice She’s Ever Heard
Her favorite piece of advice comes from an unexpected place: Nike’s slogan “Just do it.”
“Writers make endless excuses,” she says. “‘I’m too busy.’ ‘I need a degree.’ ‘My muse isn’t working.’ But at some point, you just have to sit down and write. Words don’t appear unless you put them there.”
What She’s Reading
Patrice is a multi-book reader. “I always have several books going at once,” she says. “Right now, I’m rereading Bill Bryson’s One Summer: America, 1927 and Dan Jones’ The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England.” Both works reflect her love of history, humor, and human resilience.
What’s Next for Patrice Lewis
In the near future, Patrice plans to continue writing for Harlequin’s Love Inspired line while publishing more independent projects. “I want to balance the best of both worlds traditional publishing for structure and indie publishing for creative freedom,” she says.
She and her husband also hope to release their upcoming collection on rural life and self-sufficiency, offering readers a glimpse into the practical joys and challenges of homesteading.
Books She Would Take to a Desert Island
If stranded on a desert island, Patrice’s choices reflect her love of timeless wisdom and storytelling:
- The Bible
- Her full collection of Anya Seton novels
- The complete works of Bill Bryson
She laughs, “That’s more than three or four books, I know but what true book lover can stop at so few?”
Connect with Patrice Lewis
- Website: Rural Revolution
- Amazon Author Page: Patrice Lewis on Amazon
- Goodreads: Patrice Lewis on Goodreads
- Facebook: Patrice Lewis on Facebook
- Twitter: Patrice Lewis on Twitter
