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
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).
