Tags
anthology, Billy Idol, Brenda Perlin, Generation X, Iggy Pop, memoirs, memories, music, Punk, Punk Rocker, punkers, The Clash, The Damned
As some of you already know, I’ve contributed to an anthology called PUNK ROCKER, the much anticipated sequel to “L.A. Punk Rocker”: top author Brenda Perlin’s best-selling punk anthology.
In the next few weeks, leading up to the release on May 15th, I will introduce the other authors who are in on the project. Today I am introducing myself.
How did you get involved in the PUNK ROCKER project?
I’m a huge fan of Brenda Perlin’s writing, and downloaded L.A. Punk Rocker as soon as it was released. The book unexpectedly stirred a lot of forgotten memories and latent emotions in me. This was still going on when I saw her call for entries to the sequel a few months ago. I couldn’t help myself and composed two stories. I am over the moon that they were selected for the anthology.
Without giving too much away, tell us about your short story for the anthology.
One is about my admiration for punks, rockers and all who dared to be different and speak up. The other one is about a wicked night I had in my student days, also in the company of Punks. They are true stories.
Can you explain what Punk means to you? Do you have any more memories you would like to share with us?
Punk is a lifestyle and an attitude that manifests itself outwardly in fashion and music and inwardly in a powerful mental state against the establishment and outdated conventions. I drifted towards the political end of the spectrum rather the nihilistic one. Every generation needed their rebels and the punks were ours. I loved them.
What are your favorite Punk Acts, Albums and Songs?
The Cure, P.I.L., Billy Idol and – if I may count her in – Cindy Lauper.
Why type of fiction do you normally write? Tell us about the concept behind your books?
I write mostly historical fiction, (sometimes heavy) contemporary dramas and a few thrillers. I’m interested in deeper subjects, such as Alzheimers’, mental health, wars, displacement and identity.
Tell us about one of your main characters. What makes them special?
Zacharias Nielsen is an 18year old idealist who leaves the safety of his family in Denmark to fight for the radical left in the Finnish Civil War of 1918. He’s special because he leaves material wealth behind to fight for a better future for all, rather than his own betterment.
Who would you cast to play him in a movie?
Josh Hutchinson (since Ewan McGregor outgrew the age for the role)
Are you like any of the characters (and how so)?
I’m a bit like all of my characters, I guess. When I try to understand them and their actions, some kind of projection can probably not be helped. Even when they do things I don’t do, they do it like I would be doing it if I did.
What do you do when you don’t write?
Walk my dogs, cycle, do yoga, watch comedy TV and read.
What makes you laugh?
Silly comedy programmes, adolescent humour.
Who would you like to invite for dinner?
Brenda Perlin, Billy Idol and some of the long lost friends from my stories.
What would your friends say are your best and your oddest quality?
Best: Thoughtfulness.
Oddest: My taste in music
What would you chose as those qualities?
Best: Loyalty
Oddest: My sleeping pattern
Who are your favourite authors?
Lionel Shriver, Christos Tsiolkas, Khaled Hosseini, Brett Easton Ellis, Paulette Mahurin, P.C. Zick, Murielle Cyr, Brenda Perlin, John Dolan, Tony Gilbert, Ian Hutson, Richard Yates, Anne Tyler…
What is your favourite book?
Shantaram
What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?
“Lights of Polaris” by Melodie Ramone – e-book. It‘s brilliant!
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a silly murder mystery set in the UK countryside. I’m also involved in a charity project for a No Kill Shelter: The Santa Paula Animal Rescue Centre. My novel: “African August” will be part of a box set in aid of the shelter. The story revolves around a young banker and his adventures in Uganda. It is based on some of my travel experiences on the continent.
Short Biography:
Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales. He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.
Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and ‘The Black Eagle Inn’ in October 2013 – which completes his ‘Three Nations Trilogy’. “Time to Let Go”, his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions”, another contemporary novel, in October 2014. The sequel “Conditioned” was published in October 2015. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015 and his second thriller “The Gamblers” in June 2015. He published two more historical novels “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015 and “Ludwika” in December 2015.
He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.
Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/
Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer
Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl
serendipitydoit said:
Tell us about your sleeping patterns, Christopher. Mine is becoming quite erratic. Ah, Shantaram! That was on my list too.
writerchristophfischer said:
I wake up earlier and earlier and could go to sleep earlier every day. Something like a rolling 23 hours clock. What about your pattern?
Glad you like Shantaram, too 🙂
ѕнєяяιє ∂є ναℓєяια said:
Wie schön!
(づ。◕‿‿◕。)づ
writerchristophfischer said:
Danke 🙂
ѕнєяяιє ∂є ναℓєяια said:
Bitte!
olganm said:
Always something new to learn. African August sounds intriguing. See you soon, Christoph!
writerchristophfischer said:
Looking forward to it 🙂 ❤
Teagan Geneviene said:
Happy Friday, Christoph! I very much enjoyed your self interview. I like that you are willing to write so many different kinds of literature. Wishing you (and the others) a ton of success with this anthology. Mega hugs.
writerchristophfischer said:
Thanks Teagan and have a super Friday / Weekend ❤
hugs!
vanessawesterwriter said:
Reblogged this on Vanessa Wester and commented:
Great interview 🙂
writerchristophfischer said:
Thank you 🙂
dgkaye said:
So wonderful to learn more about you and your writing life Christoph. 🙂
writerchristophfischer said:
Thanks Debbie ❤
Leigh W. Smith said:
I was largely isolated—parents, age, location—from the punk movement, but now, later in life, I can really appreciate it (as a self-described SJW, and increasingly unabashed at that, myself). I admire the DIY, the self-confidence, the spunk, and—in a way, it almost seems not less important, but like a backbone to it all—the music. I’ve developed quite a fondness for the Ramones and a few other of the bands from then and now, as well as all the other musical styles/artists/songs that draw on and are enlived by punk. [Cyndi Lauper is cool, too.] You are a man on the move, that’s for sure, Christoph. I loved reading this—best wishes for your work with all the animal and people charities, too! I hope I can pick up this anthology soon after it releases May 15.
writerchristophfischer said:
Thank you and thanks for your support at the book fair 😊
theowllady said:
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
Georgia Rose said:
Lovely interview Christoph, I really enjoyed your stories in Punk Rocker 🙂
writerchristophfischer said:
Thanks Georgia – I’m chuffed to hear that 🙂
Claire Fullerton said:
Christoph, you are SO cool!
writerchristophfischer said:
Thank you Claire ❤