We here at GLAHW have met so many amazing and talented people out in the big wide world (you know, OFF the internets) and thought it was high-time we introduced them to you. Who knows? You may end up discovering a favorite new artist, photographer, writer, or all-around awesome human. This time around, we will be talking to Sarah Sigfried.

 

GLAHW: How long have you been writing? When did you get started?

I started in middle school, continued in my 20’s and have picked it back up during the pandemic. It was a way to escape.

 

GLAHW: Why did you choose the horror genre?

I have always been interested in the paranormal and in horror. I grew up hearing ghost stories from aged relatives and hung on every word.

 

GLAHW: Were you inspired by a person or event to begin your writing career? I have always looked up to Stephen King and the pandemic gave me an awakening to work on pursuits I had on the backburner or “one day.”

 

GLAHW: Are you a Plotter or Pantser?

Pantser. Ideas come to me, and I develop them. I may make a loose outline but mainly flying by the seat of my pants.

 

GLAHW: Have you ever had an encounter with the supernatural?

Yes! Several. I grew up in a haunted house and had several experiences there. I have been on ghost hunts with friends and the last one brought her amazing high-tech ghost-hunting equipment.

 

GLAHW: Are you superstitious? Why or why not?

I am superstitious, but I also have a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder, so I have to be careful about engaging in “lucky” behaviors because doing that to excess can be a symptom.

 

GLAHW:  What do you do for a living, outside of writing?

I am a mental health clinician for a very conservative population, hence the pen name.

 

GLAHW: Do you keep a journal every day?

I do try to write something every day.

 

GLAHW: What do you prefer to write – short stories, poetry, novels, scripts, etc.?

I start with an idea and a short story and go from there. Shorties have been what I write most, but some have expanded into novellas.

 

GLAHW: What truly scares you?

Snakes are horrifying. Food with mayonnaise is also truly scary.

 

GLAHW: What sort of hobbies are you into?

I like to paint watercolors of odd subject matter like plague doctors and abbey ruins and I run. I have been writing and painting more than running lately and my pants don’t fit. So, I will be seeking a more balanced approach to getting exercise and creating.

 

GLAHW: Do you read outside of the horror genre? If so, what else have you read? I love history and enjoy nonfiction about weird topics. But usually, these pursuits find their way back around to horror, somehow.

 

GLAHW: What’s your favorite genre to write? Vampire fiction. I love my vampires.

 

GLAHW: Do you use a pseudonym? Yes. Sarah Sigfried is not my real name.

 

GLAHW: What do you think makes a good story? I think a good story draws in the reader. You must include a character they can identify with or a topic that the reader will be interested in.

 

GLAHW: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? As a child I wanted to be a paranormal investigator, but I didn’t see that table on career day. So, I studied psychology instead.

 

GLAHW: Are you spiritual?

I think so. As spiritual as I can be with my understanding of it. I try to follow moral guidelines for human behaviors, treat people how I would want to be treated, and try to improve each place I go.

 

GLAHW: What are your influences? Everyone influences me. There are tiny pieces of people I’ve met throughout my stories.

 

GLAHW: What are you reading right now?

“Vampires and Vampirism” by Montegue Summers. It’s interesting and I’m researching.

 

GLAHW: What else do you want your readers to know? Consider here your likes and dislikes, your interests, your favorite ways to unwind — whatever comes to mind.

I enjoy creating.  I like all sorts of unusual stories. My favorite way to unwind is to paint strange pictures or go for runs while listening to creepy podcasts.

Do what you love.

 

Sarahsigfried.com