The Devil Winds and Other Fiction: May 2016

This writer isn't afraid to think (and write) outside the box -

or better said, outside his usual genre.

Christoph Fischer tells us about this newest venture:

I’ve recently contributed two short stories to Punk Rocker, the much anticipated sequel to “L.A. Punk Rocker” by top author Brenda Perlin’s best-selling punk anthology.

I'm so proud that my stories have been chosen for this.” LA Punk Rocker” was one of my favourite reading pleasures last year and brought back a lot of livid memories of those exciting times.

Many people were surprised when I told them about my involvement in the new project. You – a punk? Never! You are always so ‘clean cut’…

Well, maybe now I am (I couldn’t possibly comment). Back then, I was young and rebellious.

Nena for example was part of a New Wave of German artists that changed the music landscape of my youth. Visage, The Clash, The Cure, P.I.L. – they were the air that we breathed.

Outrageous and provocative hair and fashion, uncompromising attitudes and a hunger to live… I’m glad I was able to witness it all, even if I wasn’t the Full Monty…

Punk Rocker is a collection of short stories from those who were there, in the early days of Punk and New Wave. Hard core musical anarchists who saw it all, heard it all, did it all - and survived to tell their stories.

Along with Brenda and the West Coast punks, Punk Rocker features rebels, writers, commentators and street kids from all over America – talking about the music, the fashion, the attitude, the passion, the lifestyle and, of course, the bands who made it all happen.

Meet people who discovered punk’s new dawn – and those who were there for its sunset, in the ramshackle mausoleum of the Chelsea Hotel.

Backstage, in the clubs, in the gigs, in hotel rooms with the band, on the streets –Brenda was there. She saw it all. And so did her friends.

If you want to know how I fit into the picture – I won’t tell you here. Read the book ;-)

PUNK ROCKER has just been released on Amazon

US https://www.amazon.com/Punk-Rocker-Mark-Barry-ebook/dp/B01FCBBC6W
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Punk-Rocker-Mark-Barry-ebook/dp/B01FCBBC6W

This is an interview with Christoph about Punk Rocker:

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 Alzheimer's, 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.

CHRISTOPH FISCHER - 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.

Christoph has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

* * *

Thank you, Christoph, for this great interview and for giving us a glimpse into your next project; or should I say, projects. Since I have known you (originally as a long-suffering reviewer of my own books) you have come out swinging - and winning - establishing yourself as a prolific writer of historical fiction (when you are not punk rocking).

Follow Christoph Fischer to the sites listed below, but for sure, do read his always interesting and inginformative website and blog.

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