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Susan has been an avid writer for around 10 years doing everything from writing freelance articles to editing manuscripts for other authors. She loves to write horror stories that have a twist at the end.
Her alter-ego is a former Operating Room Nurse, current Nurse Educator who loves creating tales from the interesting and weird things she has seen. She is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the Virginia Writers Club where she has served as President of the Richmond Chapter in the past. She also has two novels in the works, a paranormal romance and a medical thriller. In her spare time, she loves to read, crochet, and travel to such places as Italy, Spain, Australia, and Korea.
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
Well, I write mostly short stories. Most of those could have something added to make them longer. I think it would probably be a half hour story for now. I would have fun going back and imagining a new direction to go. My last short story, “Blurred Line,” could probably be a great movie as it was a little over 8000 words. Again, we could always add more if needed.
Have you gone on a literary pilgrimage?
While researching my ghost and haunting books, I followed LB Taylor and Pamela K. Kinney through a lot of Virginia. I visited many locations found in their books and interviewed the owners of each establishment. It was quite fun to go back and find out something new was happening or how nothing had changed since the last person visited.
As a writer, what would choose as your spirit animal?
That would be a Hammerhead Shark. I imagine them hammering away at the story and getting it all written. The Hammerhead is my true totem animal, they have been with me since I was about 4. I have had others, such as frogs, elephants, seahorses, and bees. The Hammerhead has always stayed with me. I have many pieces of jewelry and stuffed animals in the form of the Hammerhead. I must say, though, they are quite hard to find sometimes.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Procrastination. I have so many things I should be doing instead of writing. Checking email, looking at Facebook, doing laundry, sometimes you just have to say no to some things and get your writing done. It is not easy, but it is the only way you will get something written that you can get out there and market or sell.
What advice do you have for new authors?
DO NOT edit your own work. Go over your drafts carefully, but have someone else look over the manuscript as well. You can miss so many things because you know how it is supposed to read. After that, fix the edits and enjoy your brand new corrected story.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”‘DO NOT edit your own work. Go over your drafts carefully, but have someone else look over the manuscript as well.’ Susan Schwartz ” quote=”DO NOT edit your own work. Go over your drafts carefully, but have someone else look over the manuscript as well.” theme=”style3″]
The Book
Haunted Charlottesville and Surrounding Counties
beloved homes or families behind. Visit more than 75 haunting
locations with this experiential and historical guide. Shiver your
way through haunted graveyards, mansions, parks, private residences,
and other locations as you discover the past and learn of current
lingering ghosts and the havoc they continue to instigate. Have you
ever pondered about the spiritual implications from murders of olde?
Think you might like to be pinched by a ghost or have your name
called when no one is there? Interested in what a paranormal
investigative group might find? Then make plans to explore these
strange and frightening locations. Contact information is provided
for those places allowing visitations. But when you visit, be ready
for a haunting good time!
I just wanted to say thank you for including the short interview and advertisement about my book, Haunted Charlottesville, on your site. I really appreciate the support.
You are very welcome.
I am going to follow this author on Goodreads.