Starlighting on the Farm

By Heather Shumaker

Angie writes from the family farm in Lodi, WI

From time to time, I'm going to profile other Starlighting writers as an inspiration to us all.  I'm pleased to announce our first one - Angie Lathrop Treinen.

Angie is a YA fantasy novelist who juggles writing with 2 kids, 9 draft horses, 2 dogs, and a barnyard full of cows and chickens near Lodi, Wisconsin.  I met Angie at the 2011 UW-Madison Writers' Institute.  She's a small animal vet who married into farming.  Her husband, Alan Treinen, is a third generation farmer who grew up on the 200 acres they own.  Their main business is a corn maze and pumpkin patch.

Since the farm is necessarily a home-based business, it can be a challenge for Angie to find time and peace for writing.  She often writes off-site, sitting in the car during the kids' soccer practice or sitting in the library parking lot.

She starlights 7 days a week.  Go Angie!

  • 5:30 - 6:45 am  Mon-Fri.  (home office)
  • 5:30 - 10 am   Sat. and Sunday  (home office)
  • 8:00- 11:00 am  3 weekdays a week  (library parking lot; home)
  • 1 1/2 hours twice a week during soccer practices  (parking lot)

When she's not writing, parenting or doing the business-end of the farm, Angie designs intricate corn mazes, complete with Greek mythology and "geeky math concepts."  Last year's maze depicted Icarus and included fractals and the Wheel of Theodorus which helps teach about irrational numbers and the Pythagorean theorum.  Check it out here!

Hats off to Angie!  We're adding Angie to the list of writers on the Starlighting Honor Roll.  Inspired?  Tips?  Please add your comments to show Angie that we're rooting for her!

Possibly the coolest corn maze either side of the Mississippi!

4 responses to “Starlighting on the Farm”

  1. Valerie Johnson says:

    I love the Treinen corn maze. We try to go every year and compete to see which family teams can get through the fastest.
    As more of a moonlighter or at least a night owl, I surely admire anyone who can get up early and be creative.
    - Valerie

    • Heather Shumaker says:

      Lucky you! Wish we lived closer during pumpkin season. As for being a night owl, take advantage of that gift. The stars are out late at night, too.

  2. Definitely the coolest corn maze I've ever seen. Love the draft horses. I have three, all anglo-arabs we've watched being born. My family. Angie, you sure have a lot to juggle--kids, animals, being a vet, pumpkin patch, and writing. I'm impressed. You go girl!

  3. Angie, My youngest kid loves mazes! Hope to get to see you soon, maybe next year on class reunion!, and... Keep writing! Shirley

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Heather
Shumaker
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