Ask the Author: Mark Rubinstein
Answered Questions (10)
Mark Rubinstein
Hi have no idea how you should handle this, John. I'm no expert at this sort of thing. Wish I could be of some help. Mark
Mark Rubinstein
Hi Luccia. That's a great question. I wrote "Mad Dog House" as a standalone novel, never thinking about a sequel or series. After it was published, reviewers and others kept asking for a sequel. A typical question was, "What's going to happen to these two guys?" or some variation on that theme. No one seemed willing to let these characters go, and readers were relentless in urging me to write a follow-up. They were curious about an outcome and did not want any ambiguity. Despite my saying life is filled with ambiguities, they insisted, so I sat down and wrote "Mad Dog Justice." It was definitely an "afterthought" and I"m very glad I did. Many people commented that the characterizations of Roddy and Danny got deeper in "Mad Dog Justice", and they understood more about each of them after reading the second novel. As for whether or not there will be a third one ("Mad Dog Vengeance") I'm not sure. I'll have to wait until after the next two stand-alone books are out--one is a novella, "Return to Sandara" (November 3, 2014) and the other is a novel, "Assassin's Lullaby (due next year). Thanks for reading and "asking.
Mark Rubinstein
Hi Michael. I think the most rewarding part of being published (and read, as per reviews) is the knowledge that other people find my writing worthwhile. I guess it's a form of validation to feel that others want to read what you have written. After all, the act of writing is a solitary and lonely endeavor, and it's good to have some outside confirmation that you've spent time and energy creating something interesting to others.
Mark Rubinstein
As always, my ideas come from life, from snippets of news, from imaginings, stories I hear friends tell, anecdotes...it comes from anywhere at any time. Stories lurk everywhere.
Mark Rubinstein
I don't wait for inspiration. If you wait for inspiration, you're a waiter, not a writer. I write whether I feel like it or not.
Mark Rubinstein
Just finished another novella, "Return to Sandara" and have now turned to "Bellevue Serenade" a collection of short stories.
Mark Rubinstein
My advice to aspiring writers is to quote the great Stephen King, "If you want to be a writer, there are two things you must do, above all: read a lot and write a lot." That's what I have to say. Read, write, read, write some more, write again, expect rejection, but keep at it and never give up.
Mark Rubinstein
The best thing about being a writer is being free to use your imagination and tell stories. Since people sat in caves they wanted to hear stories, and that's what I love to do--tell stories. It's also great getting positive responses from people. Negative ones, not so great.
Mark Rubinstein
I don't believe there's such a thing as writer's block. I think it's just the writer's unwillingness or reluctance to undertake the long, hard slog of writing.
Mark Rubinstein
Thanks for the question, Skye. My characters are based largely on my imaginings, but some little bit of reality creeps in here and there. After all, a writer takes what he or she knows from life, uses and reimagines it.
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