Author Interview- Amber Schamel

Bestselling author Amber Schamel writes stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest". A homeschool graduate from a family of 12 children, Amber found her calling early in life. First published at age 21, she has continued to hone her craft. Between ministry, family and working in their family businesses, Amber loves to connect with readers. Find her on the Stitches Thru Time blog, or on any of the major social media sites. 

1. How did you discover your calling to be a writer? I have always had an active  imagination and even as a young girl I would make up stories and play them out in my make believe. I started writing those stories down when I was about fourteen. But the real calling came about the time I graduated from High School. I had been doing a lot of study on how media and books affect people's attitudes and worldview. It was astonishing how the subtle messages that have been worked into entertainment over the years has completely transformed our nation and our morals. I realized that someone needed to write stories that upheld morals, faith and godliness. The Lord then led me to Habakkuk 2:2 which says " And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." That became my commission. 

2. What books influenced your life the most? There are so many! The Bible of course. Also the writings of evangelist W. M. Branham and other heroes of the faith.

3. What is your favorite time in history? I totally fell in love with the Civil War Era. The hoop skirts, the balls, everything. In fact, during high school I practically lived in that era for months at a time. I sewed hoop skirts, and wore them every day. I washed them on a homemade washboard and hung them outside on the line to dry. I ironed with an old cast iron heated on the stove, I ate hard tack, cooked my johnny cakes over the fire and didn't use the electricity in my room for several months! (with the exception of my radio which I used to play Dixie, I'm a good ol Rebel, Somebody's Darlin and other period tunes)

4. Please tell us a little about your newest book. The Messiah's Sign is the second book in the Days of Messiah series. 

It follows the storyline of Book One, but from the husband's point of view. Here's what it's about:
Dreams...they shouldn’t bother him, but when Tyrus’ worst nightmare is vindicated, he has no choice but to face reality. His wife has been unfaithful, and God has punished her with the most feared disease in the land: leprosy. Banishing her to the leper colony, Tyrus struggles to raise their son alone and protect him from a merciless outlaw. But when Malon begins following the teacher from Nazareth, what remains of their business and reputation is at stake. Can Tyrus save his son from the beguiling lies of a false Messiah before he loses the only thing he has left?

5. Any fun behind the scenes tidbits you'd like to share? The background picture on the cover is a picture of the sun rising over the Sea of Galilee. We took the picture while visiting Israel. The Galilee area is BEAUTIFUL! Little did I know, I would write a series of stories based there.  In fact, the series began as a short story about Aaliyah, but I had people telling me I should expand it. The short story was set in Jerusalem, but as I started writing the first book, I realized I was in the wrong town!

6. What is the next project you're working on? I am finishing up a really fun series with three other historical authors on the signers of the Declaration of Independence. I'm also setting to work on a Christmas story set during the Civil War entitled The Christmas Pardon.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, a young lawyer battles with the U.S. Supreme court. In what seemed to be a Christmas miracle, he had secured a pardon for his friend from Lincoln himself. The army executed the boy anyway. On the fifteenth anniversary of his death, will the lawyer finally clear his friends name and bring justice to his memory? 

I'm running a giveaway for a fan to pick the name of my two main characters! You can enter the giveaway here: http://www.amberschamel.com/contests.html

7. Which one of your books do you consider your "pride and joy"? Why? That's a really tough question. The Messiah's Sign is the longest book I've written thus far, but I'd probably have to say The Swaddling Clothes is my pride and joy. It follows the Jewish history from the time of King David all the way to Jesus' birth. It was tough to write with such a large time span and so many characters! But it was also a TON of fun. 

8. We all have family, work and other obligations...how do you maintain balance while in the middle of a writing project? Haha, don't I know it! I have a job as bookkeeper, volunteer about half my summer, family, church, writing. For me, the balancing act usually involves less sleep so that I have time to fit writing in around my other priorities. I only have a couple of hours a day to devote to it, so those hours are precious, and must be managed effectively. I don't always succeed, but I'm getting there. 

9. What is one piece of advice you received about writing that helped you the most? Be teachable and humble. And realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you're working on being a great writer, you will eventually find an agent/editor/publisher that will be a fit.

10. Where can we purchase your books? (Provide a link) and how can we keep updated on future works? The Messiah's Sign is now available on the following networks:

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/days-of-messiah-volume-2-the-messiahs-sign-amber-
schamel/1120555152?ean=2940150577046

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Days-Messiah-2-Messiahs-Signebook/dp/B00OJ93IB6/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1413400281&sr=1-3&keywords=amber+schamel

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/days-of-messiah-volume-2-the-messiah-sign

HHP Store: http://shop.myhelpinghandspress.com/Days-of-Messiah-Volume-2-The-Messiahs-Sign-9788576.htm

You can keep up with me by liking my facebook page, friending me on Goodreads, or on my website. http://amberschamel.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7073165.Amber_Schamel

11. Do you pattern your heroes/heroines after real people you know? Shhh....no one is supposed to know the answer to that question. LOL, Yes, I actually do. To an extent anyway. I usually blend traits from different people I know or observe.

This was a great experience and one I hope you all enjoyed as much as I did! Thank you, Amber for letting me interview you!