FIVE MINUTES WITH RICHARD SCHIVER

Richard grew up listening to ghost stories told by his grandmother as they sat on the front porch while screech owls punctuated her words. As a teen he survived on a steady diet of Creepy, Eerie and Weird Tales comics as well as Saturday night creature features with Count Gore Deval
In the past he has worked as a carpenter, a truck driver, in retail sales, and fast food. In that time he has read everything he could lay his hands on. Aware that one day, he would breathe life into the chills he'd first experienced on his grandmother's front porch.
Richard currently lives with his wife in Lavale, MD. When he's not spinning tales of terror he can be found in his wood shop making messes.

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Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?  

I’m a life long reader who has come to writing later in life. Of course it’s all relative really, to some people I’m young, and to others I’m old. I’m fifty four and some days I feel like I’m ninety, while other days my mind tries to convince me I’m nineteen. I began reading when I was about seven,  devouring Weird Tales, Creepy, and Eerie comics before moving on to real books with no pictures. I’ve always had an interest in the macabre.

Do you prefer the term Horror, Weird Fiction or Dark Fiction?

I have no real preference as I write all over the place. I’ve got a love story with a twist ending sitting on my desk now waiting for final edits before I send it to Backbone Mountain Review.

Who are some of your favourite authors?

I have a lot of authors I enjoy reading, some of my favourites are Stephen King, of course, Joe Hill, Rick Hautala, may he rest in peace, Clive Barker, H.P. Lovecraft, and Poe. Some of my newest discoveries are Craig Saunders, Ronald Malfi, Leigh M Lane, and Matthew Tait.

What are you reading now?

The Floating Staircase by Ronald Malfi.

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max

Which book do you wish you had written?

Pet Semetary by Stephen King.  In my opinion it was one of the greatest horror novels written. What lengths will a father go to bring back a beloved son?

If you could use any other author’s creation in your own work, who or what would you use?

Honestly I don’t know.

Describe typical day spent writing. Do you have any unusual writing habits?

Nothing really unusual about my typical day. Up early, about 4:30am and sit down at the computer. I’ll spend anywhere from two to four hours writing, editing, or brainstorming. Then it’s off to my day job. If I’m on daylight shift that week I’ll do some marketing in the evening. But I’m constantly working on things in my head. At work, at home, it upsets the wife sometimes as she’ll tell me I’m a million miles away while sitting in the same room with her. But she tolerates me.

What piece of your own work are you most proud of?

My short story Bobo. It’s permanently

free on Amazon. It’s a confusing, but tight little story about a woman’s descent into madness after she is kidnapped, and her rescue by an object from her past.

What is the hardest lesson you have learned with regards to your writing?

Patience. I have to keep reminding myself that writing is like running a marathon, not a sprint.

What do you like to do to relax? Listen to music, watch documentaries about WWII, read, build things with my hands.

Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?

Reprisal 26,000 word novella. Due to be released 6-25-2013

Synopsis

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and what could be colder than the eternal chill from beyond the grave?

On the surface her plan was brilliant in its simplicity. Return home, take the place of her twin sister, and live out the rest of her life in relative peace. Unfortunately even the best laid plans had their flaws, and this one involved Margaret’s alter ego, Candice who was hell bent on leaving a bloody trail in her wake.

Diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder at an early age Margaret could honestly say she had never been alone a single day of her life. Like two peas in a pod she shared her physical self with the other half of a divided psyche, a separate personality known as Candice. The difference between them was like that between night and day. While Margaret exuded the wholesome innocence of a country bred farm girl; Candice portrayed the character traits of a manipulative, conniving, sociopath whose only concern lay in doing what was best for herself.

 

In the end the dead always get their revenge, for all paths lead to death where they wait in the shadows.

 

Next in line is a novel with the working title:  Subterranean. I’m sure something better will  come along as the story fleshes out. At its core the story is a about a father’s love that transcends death.