R. M. Schwemmer Interview Published on: 19, Aug 2022
What did your childhood home look like?
I lived in the country in a single family home that my parents built.
What were your hopes and aspirations as a kid and have you achieved any of them?I started writing at age twelve and dreamed of becoming a writer when I grew up. And I have made that dream come true.
Have you always loved books?Yes and no. I don't mind reading, if I have time. It wasn't my favorite thing to do as a child but when we had to read certain classic literature books in school, I really enjoyed it.
Why did you choose the suspense/thriller genre? According to you, what makes an unforgettable suspense book?I love being surprised! I like mysterious characters, dangerous situations, and getting my heart pumped. Those things make for a good suspense story.
What do you enjoy the most about writing poetry?I love that you don't always have to follow a first or rules with freestyle poetry. I can write what I like, what I'm feeling, and that's okay.
Who or what was the inspiration behind the character of professional photographer, Simon Greene?Simon is one of my favorite characters. I've always thought photographers were interesting and that they maybe saw things differently behind a camera. Being a photographer fit this character well because he is talented but had a lot of mystery surrounding him.
What kind of research was involved when you were writing "The Ones We Left Behind"?I wrote that when the pandemic started so it was easy to dive into the story of John and Claire and how they each were mentally dealing with the unknown virus and scare.
While you are superb at writing thrilling scenes, is there any kind of scene or theme that you struggle at writing (romance, racy, historical, etc)?I struggle with fantasy and sci-fi. Those aren't my favorite genres so it's harder for me to write that.
What are some of the most profound "shower thoughts" you've had?For some reason when your at the most inconvenient time, the most amazing idea, character, or scen pops into your head. I try to quickly grab something to write it down before I forget. I have notebooks and scraps of paper lying around with my writing ideas. It's a chaotic mess but that's how I write.
Audio book vs e-book vs printed book, which one do you prefer and why?I prefer printed, maybe I'm old school, but I love to hold a physical book when I'm reading.
What is the best review you've received for your debut book?I think being compared to Stephen King regarding Old Bones was my best review.
Having learned the ins and outs of the business, was the process of getting your books published easier for you?No, the publishing process for me is always the struggle. You never know if your story is going to be a hot seller and publishing can be stressful, but you have to take a chance and just publish it.
In what ways has becoming an author changed your life in ways you didn't expect?It is time consuming and not always bringing in the income you need to survive. It's risky business but that's a gamble with writing.
Are you working on anything new at the moment? If so, when can we expect its release or publication?Yes, I've decided to turn my romances into mysteries. I have begun rewriting them and will have atleast one of them ready to publish by the end of the year.
Having spent quite a long time with AllAuthor by now, what is your feedback?I am beyond pleased with AllAuthor. I think it's the best site I've used as an author as far as promoting my books and keeping my information updated.
