Ask the Author: Christiann Schmidt
Answered Questions (9)
Christiann Schmidt
As the sounds of determined steps through the fallen autumn leaves reached her ears, Rachel, cowering in the darkness and unable to catch her breath, frantically scanned the dusty floor for a weapon and realized her three years of running from the monster would end in the light of the full moon at the door of her deceased father’s abandoned hunting cabin. Over her soundless wail, the insistent and deadly knock on the splintered wooden door precipitated the announcement: “Miss Billings? Agent Stevens from the IRS. Please open the door.”
Christiann Schmidt
I would go to Rivendale (the elves' home in Lord of the Rings) and I would never leave.
Christiann Schmidt
Write every day. No excuses. Try to make a habit of it. If you find setting aside hours is impossible, shoot for fifteen minutes of uninterrupted writing. Second: Read. Read as much as you can. Read across genres. Understand what is good, what is not good - and what is great. I hope to be great some day. You will, too! Third: Get experience. Get out and live life. So many people today limit experience to sports and club music. Go to a museum! Study something. Travel. Meet people all around the world. Your writing will expand as your reality does.
Christiann Schmidt
If you know me personally, you do not dare ask this question! I am currently finishing seven text books (in different stages) and four novels. And that's just the writing. My next book, That Fall, is due out October 3 and is with the editor now. My third novel, Hidden Room, is going to beta-readers. The fourth novel is still in development. I don't love it yet...but I will.
Christiann Schmidt
Anything and everything inspires me. An overheard conversation. An emotion that overcomes me. A vision of nature - the leaves turning or a lady bug on the window screen. Other authors and stories - or news reports also inspire me.
Christiann Schmidt
Being a writer is perfect for my introverted nature. I can sit, alone, inside my head for hour upon hour. If you are an introvert...you understand! The second best thing is experiencing readers' comments, realizations and joy during or after reading one of my tales. I love when they call or write and say: "I did not see THAT twist!" or "I love that character!" Knowing I brought some fun and relaxation to another person is the greatest reward.
Christiann Schmidt
I don't deal with writer's block. What do I mean? If I am on a story and stuck, I put it down, I walk away - and I shift to another story. Writer's block, I find, is the result of knowing the story is not going anywhere...or the characters are poorly constructed. Sometimes, I will imagine having a conversation with a character and letting them (my subconscious) tell me what to write. If the story is still blocked (I currently have one that is), I know the story is garbage. Something is wrong with the plot or the characters - and I am stuck because the story is not working. If I really want to get through the block, I start brainstorming: What if I change the point of view? What if...? Usually I can start writing quite quickly after a brainstorm. I also have wonderful friends and beta-readers who help me with plot issues and characters! (Hi, Helen and Lilly!)
Christiann Schmidt
My first book is a conglomeration of ideas: I was intrigued by the antistratfordians - the theorists who surmise that Shakespeare is not the author of the works accredited to him. I also have been enamored by the pirates and privateers who haunted the Jersey shore.
My second book - That Fall - due out in October - was the result of a nightmare...I dreamed someone kidnapped my infant son and it shook me to the core. So...I wrote a novel about it!
Read more about where I got my ideas for Treasure at: www.christyaschmidt.com.
My second book - That Fall - due out in October - was the result of a nightmare...I dreamed someone kidnapped my infant son and it shook me to the core. So...I wrote a novel about it!
Read more about where I got my ideas for Treasure at: www.christyaschmidt.com.
Christiann Schmidt
You can check my Currently Reading list to see what I am reading - which changes daily. I read 6-12 books at any one time - and switch between them as my mood dictates. I am in the middle of Raeden Zen's Phantom of the Earth series - which is great beach listening on Audible. Today, I am finishing The Book of Enoch - which I am using for research for the book I am currently writing: Death's Daughter. Hope that answers your question!
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