Meet author Alyssa Schwarz
An award-winning author of “Fields of Glass,” Alyssa Schwarz is a Colorado native who attended the Colorado School of Mines, got her masters in Geological Engineering, and promptly became a watercolor artist and author (as one does). She loves writing heartfelt romances with happy endings, a bit of mystery, faith, humor, and second chances. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking, quilting, painting, or doing any number of crafty activities. Visit her website: https://www.authoralyssaschwarz.com/
Tell us about your newest book.
A Midsummer Romance is part of a multi-author series set in the fictional town of Wild Rose Ridge, Washington. A series for each season, the Autumn series includes Fall festival shenanigans, rodeo cowboys, kissing booths (those Meddling Mothers never give up!), a movie set on Main Street, and a search for an endangered hawk that could preserve Wild Rose Ridge’s small-town charm for years to come.
My book, Wild at Heart, centers around two friends Kimmie (wildlife photographer) and Matt (ex Navy pilot) as they work together to document an elusive hawk which could designate the town as a protective habitat from future developers all while navigating some well-meaning but unwanted help by a few meddling mothers. Two-thousand feet above the ground is the perfect place to reconnect, until the lines of friendship begin to blur. With time running out, and still no closer to finding their target, they must decide what they’re willing to do for a chance at happiness, or if the wild is the only place left for them to run.
What inspired you to write your story?
After writing the summer book about Kimmie’s older brother Caleb, I knew Kimmie needed her own story. My mom and I were watching the TV show Northern Exposure at the time (which was actually filmed not far from the town that inspired Wild Rose Ridge!). I really loved the chemistry between the lead characters along with the wacky small-town quirks and thought it would be fun to capture some of that on the page. I’d say the main themes of this story are about discovering oneself and starting over, which is reflective of the season I’ve been walking through recently and trusting that God’s plans are bigger than my imagination.
What genre do you focus on.
I love writing contemporary romances! They are so much fun to write and read which is incredibly important for our mental and emotional health. There is so much drama and stress in real life, I want readers to be able to escape for just a little while into these stories and believe that yes, there is something to hope for and believe in and yes, God is still in control.
Why do you write?
I write because this is the season God has called me into and because it is where I see Him move in the most incredible ways in my life. Rachel Hauck once said that God calls us to the place where we will draw nearest to Him. That’s what writing is for me. It’s a place where I get to create stories alongside the greatest Storyteller all the while witnessing how those very stories are His way of ministering to my soul as well.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
The main characters in this story are Kimmie Weaver, a traveling wildlife photographer, and Matt Goodwin, an ex-Navy pilot who is now starting his own charter flight business back in his hometown of Wild Rose Ridge. Kimmie (Kimberly) is an adventurer at heart and fights the conventional expectations of women (professional housewife is the last thing on her mind), so I wanted her name to reflect that independent spirit. Matt, on the other hand, is a straight-laced, by-the-book pilot who thought the military would be his entire life until a medical discharge changed all that. They each bring out the best in each other which also stretching them to step outside their comfort zones.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I try to keep to a schedule and separate writing time from other business items, but I often end up bounding between projects on any given day.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
As an indie author, I often feel the struggle of having to wear so many hats: author, marketer, publisher, editor, graphic designer… It can be a lot, but I try and give myself time and space to focus on each one when need be. I recently signed a contract with Sunrise Publishing, and while I don’t miss having to worry about anything other than writing those books, it has been an adjustment keeping to a stricter writing format. Each type of publishing poses their own struggles and hurdles, but they are each so rewarding.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
I love that I get to do something creative. My background is in geological engineering, which oddly enough involves a fair bit of storytelling in itself, but it’s so much more fun getting to dream up stories all day.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I only like stories with happy endings, which means I will always ensure my characters get theirs in the end.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I now know how to write a synopsis! Lol. Actually, I have a long way to go on that one, but writing for Sunrise is teaching me so many new important skills as a writer like time management and collaborating with an editor during the writing process. Writing is a humbling endeavor, one that reminds me every day to lean into God and His strength.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading, quilting, watching Hallmark movies, and time with friends.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes! I released a book in the Wild Rose Summer series this past June, and the Prescott Series is complete and all available in KU on Amazon. I’m excited to share that the final book in that series, Fields of Glass, won a Christlit book award this fall!
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a book for Sunrise Publishing while writing the next Wild Rose Ridge adventure! (Among many other projects in the works)
Website: https://www.authoralyssaschwarz.com/
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Heart-Autumn-Rose-Ridge-ebook/dp/B0DD94DKX9
Social media links:
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralyssaschwarz
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssaschwarzauthor/
– Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21846420.Alyssa_Schwarz
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