Interview with Joe Schwartz
I met Joe Schwartz online a few years ago. He writes dark and gritty stories that will appeal to anyone who gangster tales, crime fiction, and stories about the darker side of life. I recently heard that he had a new release, so I thought it would be nice to invite him here to chat about his writing.
INTERVIEW WITH JOE SCHWARTZ
Hi Joe! Thanks for visiting my blog. Please introduce yourself
My name is Joe Schwartz and I write fiction for men which women seem to love. If I had to name what I do I'd call it transgressive fiction as the heroes in my stories usually abide by illegal or illicit means to achieve their goals. That said, my stories are filled with lots of cursing, drinking, drugs, and sex!
Where does your inspiration come from?
I get ideas from eavesdropping in public places like bathrooms and restaurants and standing in long lines at movie theaters, the news both print and TV, and occasionally from a family member. I've met a whole bunch of cops that love my stuff and who have refused to believe some of my stories are just fiction. To me, such is the stuff of great compliments.
That is a great compliment :) It's interesting how we can take inspiration from just overhearing conversations; I do that too!
Do you have a day job or write full time?
Yes and no. Yes, I work full-time, 40 hours a week as a programming specialist for a public library. What? A writer working in a library? What's next, musicians working in music stores? I write whenever I have the chance to actually do it. I write at work, I write at home, I write on vacation, I write on weekends and holidays, I write at ten pm and at three am, but most of all I invariably like to think about writing, what comes next, how can I make it so absurd and still believable but not even know what it is until I type it… ah, it is a splendid thing and I hope to God someday soon my work actually corresponds with me making an exceptional living.
What 3 pieces of advice would you give to aspiring writers?
#1. Get an editor. Not your buddy or a friend, but someone who charges you money for their time because, wait for it, THEY ARE A PROFESSIONAL. If you want to be a pro at this stuff, you better act like one now. I've met a ton of writers who have rushed to publish and frankly have done their future work a disservice. Unlike actors or musicians, writers are judged harshly on an aggregate scale for their work. If a reader has deemed you to have written a book that really sucked, they will likely never read you again. Is that fair? No. Can you overcome it? Yes, but like Ringo says, "It don't come easy."
LOL Good advice :)
#2. Write every day.
#3. Write when you really don't want to do it.
Great tips!
Tell us about your latest book.
I CAN TASTE THE BLOOD is not like any book out there. Five writers, five stories all with the same title and yet you couldn't wish for more diverse, broad-spectrum of a book. My fellow author John F D Taff came to me with the idea about two years ago when it was nothing more than graffiti on a men's room wall (yes,really!). We both knew immediately that it was a potent phrase and decided to see if we could do something with it and indeed we have along with Josh Malerman, Erik Johnson, and J. Daniel Stone. I think readers will probably compare it to movies like Pulp Fiction or Donnie Darko before they might another book. Don't believe me? I certainly wouldn't either, so here's a link: http://icantastetheblood.com/
Wonderful concept.
What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
Look, young Joe, I know you think you're some kind of hot-shit bass player, but bro, seriously, you are wasting your time. It will not get you laid and it sure as hell won't make you rich. I know, you love it. But you know what you might love more? College. What's that? School sucks? Well, so will the next twenty goddamn years of your life you little snot nosed bastard. You know what smart ass, have it your way. But do us all a favor, don't start drinking. Seriously, dude, you're a real asshole when you're drunk – Love, older and wiser Joe.
Hahahaha! Poor young Joe!
What’s your favourite book, and why is it your favourite?
I love answering this question. It is, without a doubt, Of Mice and Men. The book had a real effect on me. It made me understand poverty in America was not as obscure as the Eighties would have liked us to believe. That being poor has been a bitch since Christ was in the cradle. But most of all, I love that ending. You can keep your Edwards and Bellas, I'll take Lenny and George any day!
I have a hazy memory of studying that book at school... Funny, I remembered the names of the characters, but can't remember much else about it. I think I liked it... may have to reread it at some stage :)
Where are your books on sale?
All my books can be found on Amazon.com – Here's a tiny link: http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Schwartz/e/...
Which social media sites can you most often be found on?
Twitter @JoesBlackTShirt and Facebook as Joe Schwartz
Do you have any advice for writers as to how to deal with bad reviews?
First, read them but don't dwell on them. Two, if you keep hearing the same thing over and over again, then fix it! Third, whenever you get your literal ass handed to you in a review, go read the one star reviews of say Stephen King or Antonya Nelson. It's amazing the revival you will experience when you realize the collective mile of shit we all have to crawl through as writers. Face it, you're in real good company when it comes to the flamers. Don't feed the trolls, man.
Hmm... I think most authors can relate to this (unfortunately)
Thanks so much for being a guest, Joe! Wishing you great success with your latest release, and all your writing!
**********************************
Author links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Schwartz/e/...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joe-Fucking-...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoesBlackTShirt
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
INTERVIEW WITH JOE SCHWARTZ
Hi Joe! Thanks for visiting my blog. Please introduce yourself
My name is Joe Schwartz and I write fiction for men which women seem to love. If I had to name what I do I'd call it transgressive fiction as the heroes in my stories usually abide by illegal or illicit means to achieve their goals. That said, my stories are filled with lots of cursing, drinking, drugs, and sex!
Where does your inspiration come from?
I get ideas from eavesdropping in public places like bathrooms and restaurants and standing in long lines at movie theaters, the news both print and TV, and occasionally from a family member. I've met a whole bunch of cops that love my stuff and who have refused to believe some of my stories are just fiction. To me, such is the stuff of great compliments.
That is a great compliment :) It's interesting how we can take inspiration from just overhearing conversations; I do that too!
Do you have a day job or write full time?
Yes and no. Yes, I work full-time, 40 hours a week as a programming specialist for a public library. What? A writer working in a library? What's next, musicians working in music stores? I write whenever I have the chance to actually do it. I write at work, I write at home, I write on vacation, I write on weekends and holidays, I write at ten pm and at three am, but most of all I invariably like to think about writing, what comes next, how can I make it so absurd and still believable but not even know what it is until I type it… ah, it is a splendid thing and I hope to God someday soon my work actually corresponds with me making an exceptional living.
What 3 pieces of advice would you give to aspiring writers?
#1. Get an editor. Not your buddy or a friend, but someone who charges you money for their time because, wait for it, THEY ARE A PROFESSIONAL. If you want to be a pro at this stuff, you better act like one now. I've met a ton of writers who have rushed to publish and frankly have done their future work a disservice. Unlike actors or musicians, writers are judged harshly on an aggregate scale for their work. If a reader has deemed you to have written a book that really sucked, they will likely never read you again. Is that fair? No. Can you overcome it? Yes, but like Ringo says, "It don't come easy."
LOL Good advice :)
#2. Write every day.
#3. Write when you really don't want to do it.
Great tips!
Tell us about your latest book.
I CAN TASTE THE BLOOD is not like any book out there. Five writers, five stories all with the same title and yet you couldn't wish for more diverse, broad-spectrum of a book. My fellow author John F D Taff came to me with the idea about two years ago when it was nothing more than graffiti on a men's room wall (yes,really!). We both knew immediately that it was a potent phrase and decided to see if we could do something with it and indeed we have along with Josh Malerman, Erik Johnson, and J. Daniel Stone. I think readers will probably compare it to movies like Pulp Fiction or Donnie Darko before they might another book. Don't believe me? I certainly wouldn't either, so here's a link: http://icantastetheblood.com/
Wonderful concept.
What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
Look, young Joe, I know you think you're some kind of hot-shit bass player, but bro, seriously, you are wasting your time. It will not get you laid and it sure as hell won't make you rich. I know, you love it. But you know what you might love more? College. What's that? School sucks? Well, so will the next twenty goddamn years of your life you little snot nosed bastard. You know what smart ass, have it your way. But do us all a favor, don't start drinking. Seriously, dude, you're a real asshole when you're drunk – Love, older and wiser Joe.
Hahahaha! Poor young Joe!
What’s your favourite book, and why is it your favourite?
I love answering this question. It is, without a doubt, Of Mice and Men. The book had a real effect on me. It made me understand poverty in America was not as obscure as the Eighties would have liked us to believe. That being poor has been a bitch since Christ was in the cradle. But most of all, I love that ending. You can keep your Edwards and Bellas, I'll take Lenny and George any day!
I have a hazy memory of studying that book at school... Funny, I remembered the names of the characters, but can't remember much else about it. I think I liked it... may have to reread it at some stage :)
Where are your books on sale?
All my books can be found on Amazon.com – Here's a tiny link: http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Schwartz/e/...
Which social media sites can you most often be found on?
Twitter @JoesBlackTShirt and Facebook as Joe Schwartz
Do you have any advice for writers as to how to deal with bad reviews?
First, read them but don't dwell on them. Two, if you keep hearing the same thing over and over again, then fix it! Third, whenever you get your literal ass handed to you in a review, go read the one star reviews of say Stephen King or Antonya Nelson. It's amazing the revival you will experience when you realize the collective mile of shit we all have to crawl through as writers. Face it, you're in real good company when it comes to the flamers. Don't feed the trolls, man.
Hmm... I think most authors can relate to this (unfortunately)
Thanks so much for being a guest, Joe! Wishing you great success with your latest release, and all your writing!
**********************************
Author links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Schwartz/e/...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joe-Fucking-...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoesBlackTShirt
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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