Next month, it’ll be two years since we moved to Tennessee. Our house was built in 1994, and though its bones were good, I couldn’t wait to do some updates to make it ours. A friend once said that I like to mark my territory. Maybe a crude way of putting it, but he’s not wrong. The last owners lived …
Plot Twists
It was with a heavy heart that I stepped outside yesterday morning to work on a patch of weeds. My head was swirling with anger and despair, and I felt inadequate to process the ramifications of a country gone crazy. There is nowhere in this world that we can find truth. I don’t pay much attention to the news—don’t judge …
Blog Tour Blessings
Illusions (Apple Hill Book 2), has been on the Celebrate Lit Blog Tour since May 13th. I am incredibly grateful that my publisher grants me this opportunity whenever I have a new book release (all two times!) Unless you’re a writer, you may not understand the importance of book reviews. Amazon reigns as king for book sales, and the more …
A Little Laughter Goes a Long Way
My latest novel, Illusions, is on a blog tour with Celebrate Lit Publicity this week. As you know, the story was inspired by my daughter, Nikki. What you may not know is that Nikki also played a key role in my short story, Tread Lightly, which was published last month in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Laughter is the best …
A New Cast of Characters
Friday was momentous for me. Not having-a-baby or buying-a-first-home momentous. Those are long-term commitments—the baby more so than the house—but long enough to keep me tied to my computer for the next few years. And because of this, I’m not sleeping much. I signed the contract for another book series, and now there are would-be characters invading my dreams, begging …
Read On for a Chance to Win the Ebook Version of Illusions
The setting of a novel is more important than you might think. I’ve read stories set in exotic locales, quaint country sides, and unique time periods (The Seamstress by Allison Pittman has all three). And though I’ve done some traveling in my life, when it came time to choose a setting for my Apple Hill Series, sentiment played a key …
Spiritual Lessons in Fiction
Who doesn’t love to be entertained when reading a book? A quote from Emily Bainbridge, a thirteen-year-old character in my third novel (Providence) in my Apple Hill Series, says “Mom said once that reading is an escape, but I didn’t get what she meant until Dad died. It’s like I can leave everything behind and pretend I’m someone else, or …
I’m No Wanna-Be Juvenile Delinquent
A wanna-be juvenile delinquent. That’s how my dad described me in his interview last week. As you probably guessed, I’m Michael Schaffer. Michael Paul Schaffer. I think my middle name is the only thing I have in common with my dad, except maybe his eyes. I’m not a wanna-be anything, and especially not a juvenile delinquent. Does anyone (except my …
The Antagonist
The antagonist. That title doesn’t bode well for me. I understand it’s a literary term, but after reading the interviews from Corey and Taylor, you must think it fits. I suppose, in some ways, it does. I’m Paul Schaffer—Pastor Paul to my congregants—Corey’s husband and father to Taylor and Michael. There was a time I saw my position as a …
Meet Taylor Schaffer
Last week, my mom was asked by author Jennifer Sienes to share something about herself, and this week it’s my turn. It kind of bugged me that Mom told everyone I don’t respect her. That’s not true. I mean, it’s not like I want to be a housewife, (or really, what’s the point of going to college?) but I don’t …
