Interview with YA historical author Annette Oppenlander

Today’s special guest is author Annette Oppenlander. She’s chatting with me about the first novel in a new historical YA trilogy, Escape from the Past: The Duke’s Wrath.

During her virtual book tour, Annette will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

Annette Oppenlander writes historical fiction for young adults. When she isn’t in front of her computer, she loves indulging her dog, Mocha, and traveling around the U.S. and Europe to discover amazing histories.

“Nearly every place holds some kind of secret, something that makes history come alive. When we scrutinize people and places closely, history is no longer a number, it turns into a story.”

Welcome, Annette. Please tell us about your current release.

Escape from the Past: The Duke’s Wrath is book one of a trilogy about a nerdy gamer who tries out an experimental computer game and time-travels to medieval Germany where he must survive and figure out a way home. Envision it as action/adventure set in the Middle Ages.

What inspired you to write this book?

In 2012 I visited the ruins of Castle Hanstein in Thuringia, Germany. Walking through the ancient stones, I felt as if the walls were talking to me. I came across a snippet of information about a knight who’d feuded with a neighboring duke over a beautiful woman. I’d also raised two boys who are avid gamers, something I resented at times. Putting the two ideas together created the Escape from the Past trilogy.

Excerpt from chapter two of Escape from the Past: The Duke’s Wrath:

I heard more rustling. Louder now. Not from the men, but from the woods behind me. My knees buckled and I was vaguely aware of the thudding sound I’d made. I had to figure out what had just happened, retrace my steps. Where was my room? My mind churned as I scanned the ground for some sign of home, something familiar.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the bearded thug turn his head. Ducking behind a hazelnut bush, I squinted through the leaves. The thug had raised his sword and stepped toward my hiding place.

I crouched lower, my ears filled with the pounding of my own heartbeat. Rough laughter came from the other two riders. Despite my panic I caught a glimpse of them poking their swords at the injured man’s shoulder. I smelled their stench—and the wounded man’s fear.

The bearded thug continued in my direction. Sunlight bounced off the edge of his blade. He took another step, scanning, listening. I forced my shaking body to be absolutely still. This had to be some kind of challenge in the game.

The man kept coming. Twenty feet. Everything about him looked menacing: his eyes the color of mud, his razor-sharp sword wide as a hand. Fifteen feet. I held my breath.

A scream rang out.

“Have mercy, My Lords,” the bleeding man cried. He was kneeling now, waiving his good arm in a pleading gesture. “I beg you,” he wailed.

I lowered my gaze. Somewhere I’d read that the white of a man’s eyes could give you away. Keeping my lids half-closed, I peeked through the leaves once more. The thug was ten feet away. Close up he looked worse, a brute with arms the size of my thighs, his chest covered in leather and wide as a barrel. Despite his size he had the soundless walk of a stalking animal. I watched with paralyzed fascination. Any second I’d be discovered, but all I managed was to shove my hands into my jeans pockets to keep them from trembling. It’s a computer game, my brain screamed. It’s real, my gut argued.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I just finished book 3, Escape from the Past: At Witches’ End which I expect to be released in late fall of 2016. My next project will be a story set in WWII and post-war Germany based on my parents’ experiences as youths.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I began writing fiction in the late 1990s and worked in PR/advertising for years. I have considered myself a writer of fiction since completing my first manuscript in 2010 which by the way is still unpublished.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I’m fortunate I can write full-time. I typically start around 8:30 am and write until noon. I take a break and walk the dog and often return to writing or editing in the afternoon. I read a lot, but usually wait until later afternoon and evening. I typically do first draft creative writing in the morning because I’m freshest then.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I wish I could say I write in the shower or use an old-fashioned typewriter. The only strange thing I sometimes do when looking for a particular word or phrase is that it comes to me in German – the language I spoke for the first 27 years – and I look up the translation in English. I sort of draw from two vocabularies and actually think this enriches my writing.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to study animal behavior, probably biology. I also thought about nursing in a children’s hospital, but quickly realized after visiting the poor kiddos that my skin wasn’t thick enough. I ended up studying business administration and got an MBA in marketing/market research.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I’m a certified chocoholic, indulging in good chocolate almost daily. I usually keep a stash in the kitchen cabinet and am always on the prowl for European chocolate.

Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Thanks for being here today, Annette! Happy writing.

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