Author Interview: Lisa Schnedler

Do you like books that send characters through time? I have to admit, they're not always my favorite (time travel gives me a headache), but the idea behind fellow Scrivenings author, Lisa Schnedler's, new book sounds interesting. I'm interviewing her today on how she came up with such a story as well as a few other things. I think you're going to enjoy getting to know her, too.

Lisa, congrats on your first book. I know it's set in two different time periods. What inspired you to write a story that crossed time?

I chose to have the book set in two different time periods as I was trying to flesh out what someone from Bentonsport in the 1870s would think of the town today. In the 1870s, the town was growing and prosperous—with railroad and steamboat traffic. Many people moved to Bentonsport. But, time was not kind to Bentonsport—the river traffic dried up and highways replaced the railroad. Likely, the former residents would have envisioned a booming future town…but instead, today, there are just 40 residents. Those residents have created an artist community—and tourist destination—so many people do still come, visit, and a few stay. At our largest festivals, we have over a thousand visitors over four days. The town would not be what past residents had envisioned—but I hope they would see that the residents have the same hopes, dreams, and sense of community that they did. I used time travel to create contrast and similarity.

​Writing what you know is always a great idea and your story is set in a town you've lived in for 25 years. What are some of your favorite parts of your town that you've incorporated in your story?

My favorite part of the town is the people. When I was dating my husband, and we visited Bentonsport—where he had once lived—he said, “People usually visit towns for the sites and attractions. While there are points of interest in the town, when people visit Bentonsport, they enjoy getting to know the people who live there.”

It is a slower pace. People have more time to visit. And, the artists who live there—a potter, blacksmith, weaver, writer, etc. – are interesting and a lot of fun!

This is a Christmas story, which is always fun. Is Christmas your favorite time of year? If not, what is and why?

Christmas and Easter are my favorite times of the year. I love Christmas because of its religious significance. It is a time of family coming together. I also love the “sparkle” of Christmas! It is the holiday of light in a time of darkness—and really does mirror Christ’s entry into the world, if you can get past the commercialization of the event.  Easter has come to mean more to me each year. It truly is the holiest day of the year. A few years back, I started to actively take part in Lent, not only giving up something I enjoy, but really reflecting on my own sins, failings, and selfish tendencies. When Easter comes, it really feels like the doors of heaven have opened, and the light streams in!

With this being your first novel, of course, we're interested in knowing what inspired you to become a writer. How did you get here?

I have always enjoyed writing! I wrote Bentonsport several years back. During the pandemic, I dusted it off and edited it many times. It was therapeutic as I work in a hospital—and the pandemic took its toll on health care workers! Writing allows me to enter new worlds, meet new people, and demonstrate how faith in Jesus makes life so much better in all ways! Bentonsport:  A Christmas Story is a cozy romance that brings the magic of Christmas and the hope of our faith to life.

Can you give us a sneak peek into some of the fun stories you're working on next?

This is the first in a three-book series, so I am working on book two—and dreaming about book three! I also have published a Christian Life Planning guide and journal—and I am working on a new, revised version of the guide.

Do you consider any of your characters to have traits similar to you? If yes, which ones?

I have several traits in common with Sarah Peterson, one of the main characters. We both are pretty independent. We both love Jesus. And, we both dream and hope—but are pretty realistic in our approach to life.

​And one last question I ask everyone: can you please tell us one thing about yourself that very few people might know?

I’m fairly transparent—but few people know that I have a passion for pickles. Sweet, dill, butter pickles –pickled beets, pickled mushrooms—I love them all. In fact, I have been known to steal them from family members’ plates.

That's a lot of pickles! :)
​Thanks to Lisa for stopping by to chat with us. I hope you'll keep reading to find out about her new book, releasing this month. 

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​What if you found the love of your life right in your hometown—in another century?

For Bentonsport Academy Headmaster Thomas Barton, Christmas emphasizes his loneliness. He
has given up hope of discovering a woman to share his heart and life and plans to return to his
hometown for the holidays. But when his friend’s preposterous prophecy comes true, he finds himself
having traveled not by train, but through time, from 1869, to Bentonsport today! Now he must navigate a modern world for the two weeks before Christmas and discover what he was sent to find.

​Baker Sarah Peterson has everything she wants in the small historic town of modern-day
Bentonsport—everything but a man with whom to share her dreams and future. And, in a town of under fifty residents, where’s she going to encounter a soulmate? But when Thomas walks into her bakery, seemingly odd and out of place, but handsome and charming, she finds herself hoping something special might happen this Christmas.

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Lisa Schnedler writes cozy romances set in small towns you will want to visit—with characters who fast become friends!
She has lived in Bentonsport, Iowa, the setting of her latest series, for more than 25 years.
A certified Christian Life Coach, Lisa and her husband established Infusing Faith Ministries, the goal of which is to infuse all aspect of life with the beauty of faith. The ministry includes retreats, classes, a website, blog, and podcast.
Lisa is the founder of Branch Living, a Christian Life Planning ministry that helps Christians live balanced faith-based lives.
She is president of a health system in Wisconsin, a pastor’s wife, mother of three, and grandmother of six.

Follow her here.