Get to know author Scott Schultze

Scott Schultze was raised in the Florida Keys and is the son of parents that owned a small automotive repair business. After high school, he served in the US Navy full time and the Navy Reserves. He was also an ASE certified Auto Technician for 27 years, working and living throughout the Mid Atlantic Coast, South East, Western Ohio and he eventually settled in North Carolina. After the economy collapse of 2009 and the struggle to make a living in Appalachia, he retooled in 2012 and is now a Certified Registered Central Service Technician and an Endoscopy Technician attached to a small hospital, located in Murphy, North Carolina where he currently resides. Due his career change and having assisted his mother as a caregiver when his father was ill, he was able to be the primary caregiver he needed to be when his mother was diagnosed with stage four cancer.

“The embodiment of a Caregiver should be Compassion, Trust and Attention to Detail. That is what my parents needed from me in the last years of their lives, and that should always be the rule for every healthcare worker, spouse, father and true caregiver.” ~ Scott Schultze, 2017.

Ramona: How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Scott Schultze: ‘Bioburden – The Unthinkable could happen’ took me just over a year. My previous book, which is unpublished, was a learning experience of not what to do and the state of mind which not to do it. That was a ten year project, chronicling the care giving of my father and following my mother until she passed and the burden it puts on the caregivers family.

Ramona: How many books have you written so far? Can you name all your books one by one?

Scott Schultze: ‘Bioburden – The Unthinkable could happen’is my first published book, and self promoting has proved to be quite difficult. My first book, “Mom and Pop” a story about being a caregiver to my parents was written over ten years, and finished during a very emotional time for me. It is incomplete thoughts and heartache. I was told to publish it the way it was to show the real grief, but I pulled it after two weeks. It was a mess.

I am currently working on a prequel to ‘Bioburden – The Unthinkable could happen’ and have a children’s book in draft. I just need an illustrator and a new title to finish it up.

Ramona: ‘Bioburden – The Unthinkable could happen’ is your latest published book. Tell us more about it.

Scott Schultze: The book is set at a large hospital in a present day American city. The main character is going through major life changing events that psychologically affects his home and work life. At the same time, events are happening at the hospital that may be connected with the sterilization department he is attached to. With the help of his friend and co-worker, they find out things are not what they appear to be.

I really do not want to give anything away, but the premise of the book is based on things that I personally have experienced in my current job. Due to my military training of past, I see things that others do not, things that don’t seem like a potential problem to others. With this knowledge, I was able to incorporate possible scenarios into the book. That is about as deep as I am willing to go. Read it and be surprised, or wait for the movie. Hello Nexflix or HBO?

Ramona: At the moment you’re in the process of writing a prequel. Let us know more about this new adventure.

Scott Schultze: It follows the main characters life in the military. There will be murder, deceit and mayhem, along with some funny stories to give the book a life of its own. The military is full of ups and downs, and the character shows how a person can deal with the stress and uncertainties when they are not involving his own family; possibly putting them at risk. In ‘Bioburden – The Unthinkable could happen’, the character is inundated with his own set of burdens that crush him physically and emotionally at work and at home because of calamities that seem beyond his control.

Ramona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Scott Schultze: Time is a factor being on call fifteen days a month, and every other weekend. Editing is also a big issue. I relied on my sister Lisa, as I am on a shoe string budget. I also have two dogs, a Boston terrier and a Husky, Lucy and Molly. They also are time eaters, but that is self inflicted. They are my family and I am responsible for them.

Ramona: What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Scott Schultze: Finding an idea that reaches all ages and sexes. My book Bioburden – The Unthinkable could happen’, seems to interest women in their late twenties and older more than men of the same age bracket.

Ramona: Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

Scott Schultze: I actually have not had a bad one yet. I am very fortunate in that area. I will get one, it is inevitable; I will take it as constructive criticism and look into making changes. That is the one thing about self publishing and digital books, adjustments can be made without destroying the storyline. Had I had the financial backing, a publisher would have taken care of editing and tweaking from the beginning. It would be nice if Bioburden – The Unthinkable could happen’ became a best seller, then I could then afford to have my next books published and promoted by a printing company. With a company as a vested interest, it would get tons more exposure than me attempting to self promote.

Ramona: What does literary success look like to you?

Scott Schultze: To be honest, I would say bumping into a stranger, having them recognize me and remark on how they had a connection with one of my characters. I have had some reviews where readers have stated that, and it feels real good. To add a handshake to the event, well that would be real nice.

Get in touch with Scott Schultze on:-

https://www.facebook.com/bioburden/?modal=admin_todo_tour

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