Interview with Amber Schamel

Colorado native and multi-published author Amber Schamel is joining us today. Her latest work is included in Remington Colt’s Revolutionary War Series: The Declaration of Independence. Let me introduce you to her.

Welcome, Amber!

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Linda! I'm so excited to offer a giveaway of this anthology to the Stitches Thru Time readers on the Fourth of July!

Please tell us a bit about the anthology.

This anthology was so much fun to be a part of! There is a total of four authors, and each of us chose one signer of the Declaration to feature in our stories. After doing some research, I picked Samuel Adams because I related to him and his passion for God and independence. The other signers featured in this series are John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson and Francis Lewis.

The anthology was done in three phases. The first phase covers the signers as they are waking up on the morning of the vote on independence. What was going through their minds? How did they feel about what was about to take place?

The second phase of stories shows us a little bit of background on each signer, and the events that led up to their involvement in Congress and the Declaration of Independence.
Phase three takes us inside Freedom Hall into the room with these amazing men and plops us right in the middle of the debate and the vote on the declaration.

So each phase has a story from the perspective of these four signers. It's so much fun to see the same world-changing event from these four points of view.

Sounds like a very interesting concept! Your other books and stories are written in the Biblical or Medieval eras. What made you decide to write about the Revolutionary War time period?

I love history, but especially American history, so when my publisher asked me to be a part of this anthology, I just couldn't pass it up. The time of the Revolutionary War and Civil War fascinate me.

How did the opportunity to do the anthology come about?

At the beginning of last year, my publisher hatched out an idea for an anthology on the signers of the Declaration of Independence that was historically accurate, and yet gave you an up-close and personal feel to the patriots that founded our country. They got Murray Pura on board, and then asked me if I'd like to be a part of the team. I knew it would be a stretch for me, but it was too much fun to pass up.

Do you have a favorite historical era?

Yes, the Civil War and Revolutionary War eras are my favorite. That's a big reason that I decided to take on this anthology. I also love the Biblical era, specifically when Jesus walked the earth.

What are your upcoming projects?

I'm currently working on the third book in my Days of Messiah series (which I hope to release this fall), as well as a Christmas story set during the Civil War.

Do you find the process different writing short stories vs. novels?

Short stories have more simple plot lines, but other than that they're pretty much the same. I do the same amount of character development on all my main characters, regardless of how long the story is. I like to have a really good handle on my characters before I start writing.

Where do your ideas come from?

All over the place. LOL. Sometimes it's something I hear in a sermon, or read in the scriptures. Or sometimes it just comes as I'm walking down the street. Other times a story idea comes from something I read in history. Each story is different. One of my books was even inspired from overhearing a line on a Veggie Tales movie.

The age-old debate among writers is whether to start a story with an outline or do write "by the seat of your pants." How about your? Are you an outliner or a “panster?”

A little of both, I think. I start out with a rough outline of the story and where it is going, then I do a lot of character development work. From there, I just let the dots connect themselves as I write. A whole LOT of prayer goes into the outline, and a whole lot MORE into the space between the plot points. I'm not a good writer on my own, but when I started this journey the Lord promised to teach my fingers to write. I depend fully upon that as I write.

You are one busy woman! What do you do to relax and get away from the pressures of work and writing deadlines?

Haha, you're not kidding. Besides work, family and church, I travel a lot and volunteer almost half my time at a Christian Family Camp in Missouri, so there's a lot of time management on my part. I play the piano, though not very well, and that's one of the things I do to relax. I also enjoy outdoor walks, or just hanging out with my friends and family.

Thanks for stopping by, Amber. It has been a joy getting to know you.

Thank you again for hosting me today, Linda! I'm excited to offer an autographed paperback copy of the complete Declaration of Independence anthology to one commenter to celebrate Independence Day!

Don’t forget to add your comment to be entered into Amber’s drawing for the complete Declaration of Independence anthology.

 

 

 

A freelance writer for over ten years, Linda Shenton Matchett also writes historical fiction. She is currently seeking a publisher for her series about WWII war correspondent Ruth Brown. Visit her at www.LindaShentonMatchett.com