Thursday, December 14, 2017

An Interview with author, Christine Schimpf

Hello!

Long time, no blog! I hope this post finds you all happy, healthy, and hankering for some holiday cheer, because...

My friend and writing colleague, Christine Schimpf, has just written her third book, which just so happens to be a Christmas (Christian) romance. I'd go so far as to say it (very much) reminds me of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Since I personally enjoy that genre, I told her I'd interview her here on "Katie's View." That'll give all of you a chance to hear a bit about her, her writing style, and what makes this new Christmas-y e-book of hers, A Christmas Kind of Perfect, so special. I hope you enjoy it!

So tell me, Christine, what makes "A Christmas Kind of Perfect," a must-read this holiday season? 

You know, I've always felt that the Christmas season is a magical time of the year - a time when miracles can happen. I feel this book has a timeless appeal since the experiences of the hero (Conrad) and heroine (Lila) tend to occur over and over again in life. They've both made mistakes in the past that have turned into regrets. Many of us have experienced the very same dilemma. It's my hope that their story has the ability to reach out to my readers who are still hurting - maybe help them to believe in the power of forgiveness and true love, all over again.

That sounds like a beautiful story, and one that many will be able to relate to. In order to write a book like this, do you have a routine with  your writing schedule? Do you set aside a certain time of day, or...?  

I know that many writers do struggle with finding the time to write, but that's not an issue for me. I write every day when I'm working on a book. I almost hate to admit this, but for me, writing is kind of a healthy addiction. Is there such a thing? Until the book is finished, it becomes the friend I take with me wherever I go!

I love that example - the friend you take with you wherever you go. It sounds like you enjoy your work. What do you find most challenging in the writing process?

I'll be honest... It's difficult for me to set the work free. After investing days, weeks, and sometimes years into a project, it's hard for me to say the words, "I'm finished." It seems there's always one more tweak, polish, or embellishment I feel I could make. However, I've found that's one of the big differences in having a publisher, as opposed to independently publishing. This time I'm on their timetable, with concrete deadlines - and there's no wiggling out of their deadline.

Oooo, good answer! As a writer myself, I agree that it's definitely difficult to let our work go, as well as stay on schedule. Tell me, do you have any new writing projects on the horizon?

Actually, yes. In September, I finished a romantic novella entitled, A Perfect Fit. It's a spin-off romance from A Christmas Kind of Perfect. The story steps into the life of a young woman who typically chooses the wrong kind of man, until... this time she turns the decision over to God. I find that it's not always easy to let go, even of behaviors that can hurt us.

I'm also working on A Perfect Ending, another spin-off romance from A Christmas Kind of Perfect, with intentions to finish that work by the summer of 2018. This story peeks in on a woman with a solid profession and steep career goals, until God places her in an unexpected situation, and turns her world upside down.

Wow, it sounds like you've got a great series going... Congratulations! If my readers wanted to look you up online and follow your work, how could they do that?

Website:  www.christineschimpf.webs.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/authorchristineschimpf

Blog:  www.christineschimpf.blogspot.com

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/ChrisSchimpf

Contact:  cschimpf57@yahoo.com

Here's a peek into Christine's new release, "A Christmas Kind of Perfect."

Conrad Hamilton thought his life would be easy. A great job running his own construction business, living in his hometown in Door County, Wisconsin, with Lila Clark by his side. He planned on marrying her as soon as she returned from her Chicago internship, but it never happened.

Lila never expected to become a successful writer, nor did she plan on spending the last decade in New York. But she did.

Can the magic of Christmas turn two hearts back to one another again, or is it too late to capture that special kind of perfect?

Chapter 1

Lower Manhattan, New York

Lila almost tripped over her suitcase as she swept into her apartment. Hand to chest, she willed the panic to subside. It seemed that everywhere she went lately, she saw a tall, broad-shouldered man who reminded her of...him. Her first love. He was even showing up in her dreams.

Taking a deep breath, she locked the door and kicked off her high-heels. She dragged the suitcase to her bedroom and quickly unpacked, as if by doing so, she could set memories from ten years ago back in the closet of her mind where they belonged.

It hadn't mattered where her book signing was, or that she'd been out on the west coast working on the movie versions of her books, Conrad haunted her.

Ah, the mind of an author was a terrifying place at times. She'd been working too hard. At least that's the excuse she gave herself. Settling into more comfortable clothes, she headed to the kitchen.

Lila walked to the window of her apartment, cradling a cup of chamomile tea, sweetened with honey. She watched the street traffic below, which reminded her of a busy ant colony. How she wished the city would sleep, if only for one night. Oh, the blessed silence. She'd walk for miles. Better yet, she'd run. Although Lila feared the attempt wouldn't be easy. Like so many other activities she used to enjoy doing, she'd abandoned running since moving to the Big Apple years ago.

She padded over to her favorite chair, a chaise lounge in dire need of new fabric, and snuggled in like a fat cat finding its spot. The chair stuck out compared to the eclectic-themed room, but Lila refused to reupholster the piece despite the persuasive arguments from her friends. In an odd sort of way, Lila drew comfort from the inanimate object. They shared the same flaw - an inability to fit in with their surroundings.

Lila's bones ached. Now that she was back in the city, her life would return to normal. She'd hibernate for the next few weeks and start outlining her next book. Ugh. At this point, she'd much rather clean her uncle's morning catch of fish.

Goodness, what had made her think of her uncle? He'd died years ago.

Reaching for the remote, she flicked on the receiver. Sounds from an acoustic guitar filled the room. Ooh, much better. She placed her emptied cup near her phone on the end table, leaned her head back on the cushion, and stared up at the ceiling.

Her smartphone buzzed. Ahh. The phone always seemed to ring at the worst of times, scaring her half to death. The clock had barely moved five minutes, and she'd bet her last chocolate donut that her agent, Andrea, was calling with another idea for a book tour. Lila swiped the call through. With tired eyes and a worn-out spirit, she forced a pleasant tone. Sounding irritated was not how Lila wanted to present herself. "Hello."

"Hi, I'm calling for Lila Clark?"

Lila's heart stopped as if she'd skidded on ice and slammed her vehicle into a fire hydrant. This wasn't Andrea. She recognized the sing-song melody in the caller's voice, so reminiscent of someone from the past. Was her memory going, as well as her stamina?

... Ooooh, a cliffhanger! Don't do that to us, Christine! 

Anyway, thank you for sharing your story with us today, and for giving us a glimpse into your writing world. I wish you every good thing as you promote, "A Christmas Kind of Perfect."

"A Christmas Kind of Perfect" is available through Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Kind-Perfect-Christine-Schimpf-ebook/dp/B07781LL5Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513296805&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Schimpf



Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of two books: "Five Fingers, Ten Toes - A Mother's Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference," and "Silly Stories and Sentimental Stuff." Both books are available through Amazon as either a paperback or electronic version. For more information, visit her website at www.katiekolbergmemmel.com