The Walchensee scene helps the writer to get a contract with a well-known publisher

Created: 07/08/2022, 15:00

By: Elena Royer

Lorena Schäfer likes to be out and about at the Walchensee.

That's why she set the scene for her new novel "A Summer in Sky Blue" there.

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Lorena Schäfer (34) likes to go to Walchensee.

This has now inspired her to write a novel with which she has even won a competition.

Kochel am See/Jachenau

– Lorena Schäfer loves the mountains and the Bavarian foothills of the Alps.

That's why she was inspired for her new novel "A Summer in Sky Blue" by the beautiful landscape around Lake Walchen.

"There are many books that are set on the Baltic Sea or North Sea," says Schäfer.

"Because I like being in the mountains in my free time, I thought to myself: Why don't I write about something that's right on my doorstep?" explains the Munich native, who originally comes from Stuttgart and likes to SUP or hiking in the Walchensee area.

"I think this is the perfect place to get away from it all, and I thought more people should see that." Incidentally, her favorite tour in the area is the hike up the Herzogstand.

"It's an absolute classic, but the view is amazing."

The novel "A Summer in Sky Blue" takes place at Walchensee

The 34-year-old has always enjoyed writing.

"As a child, short stories and poems." She always had the desire to be a writer in the back of her mind.

After studying and working in film and television, the 34-year-old thought to herself during the first lockdown: "Now or never!" and published her first book ("Where the stars touch the sea") herself. Then the Piper publishing house did one When the writing competition started, Schäfer took her chance and sent in "Ein Sommer in Himmelblau".

"The theme of the competition was 'Adventures near and far,'" she says.

"I won and got a book deal."

In the novel, the protagonist Milena, who runs a successful PR agency in Hamburg, learns that she has inherited her great-aunt's campsite at Walchensee.

Milena makes her way to southern Germany to take care of the estate.

At first she only expects philistines there and prepares herself for life in the great outdoors, but she is quickly taught otherwise.

In addition to the dreamy landscape, she finally finds new friends and even love.

Roman is inspired by the campsite at Walchensee

For "A Summer in Sky Blue", Lorena Schäfer was inspired by the campsite at Walchensee.

"But I made something different out of it so as not to offend anyone," she explains.

Some everyday situations may also seem familiar to one or the other reader from the region when reading the book, even if the author exaggerates the differences between town and country in some places.

Schäfer, who originally comes from a small village but now lives in the big city and is therefore familiar with both sides, finds: "Both have their advantages and great facets.

The Bavarian foothills of the Alps in particular have an incredible quality of life and are not dusty at all, but a real pleasure.”

Is she planning more books from the region around Lake Walchen?

"I can absolutely imagine it," says the 34-year-old.

"The whole area holds wonderful things."

"A Summer in Sky Blue"

has been published as a paperback by Piper-Verlag.

It has 268 pages and costs 15 euros.