Talkshow Thursday: Author Amber Schamel
Linda: Thanks for joining me today. You recently
published your first mystery, Solve By
Christmas. What made you decide to write in that genre? What was your
inspiration for the plot?
Amber: I needed a
story idea that would be of shorter length. I had already determined that I
wanted to make it a Christmas story. As I was thinking about that, I wondered
about plots with a deadline of Christmas. By Christmas...that was intriguing.
As I made a mental list of different story lines one came to mind about a
detective who had to solve a case by Christmas. I liked that idea, because I’ve
always had a fascination with detectives and mysteries. Then the though popped
into my head, what if the case the detective had to solve wasn’t a “case” as he
thought? And there’s where it began.
LM: Do you
anticipate more adventures for Detective Hollock?
Amber: I don’t know
yet. We’ll see how this first book is received. Since it’s my first mystery I
am TOTALLY nervous. LOL. But I have been thinking about a story line involving
Jasper and the boys from the orphanage.
LM: You have
published several books. What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Amber: Creating with
the Creator. There is no feeling like crafting and writing a story where God
whispers into your ear. So many times I have not been able to solve a story
issue until He drops a thought in there that fits perfectly. And I’m sitting
there thinking, “Where did that come from?” Jasper’s story idea was kinda that
way.
LM: Which of your
characters, if any, are inspired by real people (including yourself!)?
Amber: Well, I could tell you, but then I’d have
to kill you. And then Jasper would surely find me out, so let’s just keep that
secret under wraps. ;)
LM: What do you
do to prepare yourself for writing? For example do you listen to music or set
up in a specific place?
Amber: I open my faithful laptop Qwerty, plug in
my headphones and turn on a soundtrack playlist. These are about my only
rituals since I have to write in a lot of places. In the car on road trips, in
hotel rooms, on airplanes, in a ranch in the Ozarks, and in our home in
Colorado.
I choose a different
soundtrack playlist for each story that I write. For Solve by Christmas a
majority of the playlist came from the Titanic soundtrack since the disaster
took place in the same timeframe as Jasper’s story.
LM: You live in
Colorado, a beautiful area of the U.S., but if money were no object, what is
your idea of the ultimate vacation?
Amber: Somewhere with
LOTS of history and endless opportunities for museums and fellowship with local
believers. And if I can see beautiful scenery along the way, I’m a happy gal.
LM: What is the
quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?
Amber: You’re as bad
as Jasper, probing for all these secrets! LOL. Let’s see. I once scared myself
with my own shadow. I have done some TOTALLY stupid looking things to make my
little sister laugh. Mostly strange expressions.
LM: What is your
next project?
Amber: I have a Civil War novel that I’m working
on editing and hope to pitch soon. But as far as what first draft I’m writing
next...It’s a WWII love story. I don’t want to give it all away, but let’s just
say it has to do with this question: What if your best friend died and you fell
in love with their fiancé, only to find out your best friend was still alive?
LM: Where can
folks find you on the web?
Amber: Everywhere! Well, almost. ;) Check out the links below and be sure to sign up for my newsletter (http://www.amberschamel.com/newsletter-signup.htm)
Website: http://www.amberschamel.com
Blogs:
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel
Thank you so much for hosting me today, Linda!
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