Meet Dana Vanderlugt | Writer and Literacy Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dana Vanderlugt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dana, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
In the Acknowledgement section at the end of my book, Enemies in the Orchard, I conclude with this quote from Frederick Buechner: “My story is important not because it is mine, God knows, but because if I tell it anything like right, the chances are you will recognize that in many ways it is also yours.”

It’s been my favorite quote about writing for many years— in the specificity of our own stories lies the power of universal themes. Literature is powerful because of the mirrors and windows it provides, the gift of better understanding our own lives and the lives and experiences of others.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I come from a family of storytellers. My grandparents and parents were apple farmers, and I grew up on steady diet of stories around my grandma’s table as a child. Those stories are what made me want to be a writer. I believe stories are more powerful than arguments, and in today’s divisive world are especially important for bringing people together.

My book, Enemies in the Orchard: A World War 2 Novel in Verse, is historical fiction, based on the stories of German POWs who came to the United States to work at farms and factories in the 1940s. But it’s also a story for today—a story about seeing the humanity in those who are told we should hate.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to the beautiful natural spots West Michigan has to offer! We’d visit Lake Michigan, take a hike along a wooded trail, go to a farmers market, and of course, visit an apple orchard in the fall.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Reformed Journal and its daily blog has been so helpful to my development as a writer and its gift of community. Its editor, Jeff Munroe, has been especially supportive. He is someone who is always inviting others into important work and conversations.

Website: https://www.danavanderlugt.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danavanderlugt/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-lamers-vanderlugt-65b005a1/

Twitter: https://x.com/danavanderlugt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danavanderlugtwriter

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@danalamersvanderlugt

Image Credits
K. Mellema Photography (head shot, 1st photo)