Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I studied to be a lawyer, but have been fascinated by books and writing ever since I can remember. I started to write fiction as soon as I knew how to write at all (the quality of my works has improved by then). The passion for history came a few years later and so the ground was set for writing historical fiction after I had first focused on non-fiction books for expats to Germany (“Coming to and Living in Germany”, “Cross-cultural musings about Germany”).
My family extends across many countries, mainly Germany, and when I heard the stories of my grandparents and my great-aunt, I often thought that it was novel material. First, though, my passion for the US and American history led me to write a trilogy about an American family. I lived and studied in Philly and love that city dearly, so that was one of the locations in the trilogy (currently only available in German).
I have written ten historical novels so far and am currently working on the eleventh. Two of them are now available in English. They are inspired by my (German) family history, especially by my great-aunt’s life.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My two books about the family Schönau are not my latest books as such, but my latest books available in English. The name of the first is “A Citizen of All Times”.
The story spans some of the most uprooting decades in recent German history. Hence the title. When the German writer Friedrich Schiller held his opening lecture as a history professor at the university of Jena, he said “that man transforms and fades away while history alone remains on the scene perpetually” and called her (in German history is female) a citizen of all nations and times. I often thought that the generation of my grandparents probably felt like a citizen of many times – born in a stable Imperial Germany, then experiencing World War I at a young age, followed by hunger and the dangerous instability of the Weimar Republic. Their first steps into adult life – university, courting, marrying, having children – were overshadowed by the Nazi dictatorship, then the Nazis let the world erupt into flames and everything went into shatters. Those who survived found themselves in two Germanys, one of which, the so-called German Democratic Republic, still being a country where people were arrested, harassed and destroyed if they didn’t conform to state doctrine. 1989 and 1990 then brought what most Germans would not have considered possible: reunification.
The name of the second Schönau book, “Life’s Labyrinthine Course” is taken from a Goethe’s “Faust”. Just like one of the main character in the books, I’m an avid Goethe admirer and the quote just embodies the events of the second book, which takes place during Germany’s darkest years, perfectly.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. But I do my plotting mainly while hiking. Nothing more inspiring than deep woods, the quietness of nature and peaceful solitude.
I can get absolutely engrossed in the time period I’m covering in the book I’m writing. There are times when I’m more at home in 18th century Germany or 19th century Philadelphia than in the present. It’s a total immersion that is not planned but just happens because I’m so passionate about my topics and the accompanying historical period. It’s very amusing for my friends when I have to wonder what actual year we have or when I don’t talk about current events but about a battle that took place in 1759 or Frankfurt losing its independence to Prussia in 1866 …
What authors, or books have influenced you?
“Gone With the Wind” awakened my interest in history and awakened my passion for historical novel. It hasn’t inspired my writing but it got me to writing so it’s definitely an important influence.
The German writer Theodor Fontane inspired me with his vivid pictures of daily life, social class distinctions and the feeling of the 19th century.
Poe inspired me with his glumness – my books are not happy-go-lucky but rather “doom and gloom”. Simply because I aim for realism but also because I have a tendency for gloom.
What are you working on now?
The third book of my series on a fictional Prussian estate and village. I accompany this village through the main stages of Prussian history.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I mainly rely on word of mouth. This works well in Germany – readers value my thorough research and realistic characters. As for websites I use book deal websites to promote deals occasionally, as well as my own website where I write blog entries about the historical topics that are covered in my books.
What are you reading now?
1. Jonathan Franzen’s “Crossroads”
2. A book about literature and authors in 19th century Prussia
3. A book about nobility in East Germany – families who were disowned, prosecuted and chased away after WWII and have returned to the area after the German reunification.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Goethe’s “Faust”.
Author Websites and Profiles
Heike Wolf Website