Rich Rubin

#WritersCoffeeClub 3.23 — What's the most you've worked on a WIP before deciding to scrap it? What happened?

I never completely scrap an idea. I like to think of it being tucked away until I figure out what to do with it. Sometimes a random thought will pop into my head on how to work through the part where I was previously stumped.

#ScribesAndMakers 3.23 — Do you consider yourself a frood who knows where their towel is?

These days, yes or at least partially. It’s out of necessity. I like to maintain the image in person that I’m put together. It really is a facade. I have MS and I’ll have occasional losses in memory. My best way to combat that is repetition and always having a way to do things. Also immensely helps out at work. I may not be able to think of the answer on the spot, but can figure it out by muscle memory

#WritersCoffeeClub 11Mar—Does your work reflect your morals? How so?

In general, yes. I don’t get overly political, but do try to show respect to those with different backgrounds and beliefs than the MC. Although, I’ve occasionally taken my MC in the other direction by making them truly abhorrent before they become a genuinely good person.

#ScribesAndMakers 6Mar—How do you choose a title for your book?

With countless amount of time throwing words against the wall to see what sticks. I’m currently most of the way through writing a book and have no idea what the title will be. Hopefully something will come to me soon

#WritersCoffeeClub 5Mar—How do you make sure you don't leave plot holes?

It starts with my outline, followed by reading through after I’ve let the story sit for a while, then I let my editor take a stab at it. Hopefully that catches plot holes.

#WritersCoffeeClub 3.26 — How much of a break or hiatus do you take between works?

I like to give myself a couple weeks between typing “the end” and starting it a new project. Although it also depends on how excited I am for the new project

#ScribesAndMakers 3.20 — Self-promotion day. Shame optional. Boost away!

The Challenges of Being Me is a contemporary young adult coming of age story dealing with the challenges of not knowing who you are, yet still supposed to project confidence about yourself to those around you.

https://www.amazon.com/Challenges-Being-Me-Friend-Group-ebook/dp/B0CLVTG628

@bookstodon@a.gup.pe

#ScribesAndMakers 19 March: How did you feel when you finish your last project?

I’m still riding that high and am super proud of my book The Challenges of Being Me. So many emotions come through that book, all while working in the framework of existing characters introduced in a previous book.

#WritersCoffeeClub 9Mar—Do you prefer to write complex, intricate plots, or more straightforward ones?

I like to lean into a straightforward, plausibly-realistic plot. That doesn’t mean boring, just that my plot points aren’t all over the board

#WritersCoffeeClub 3.7 — What have you given up in order to write?

Does my sanity count? I’ve got a horrible case of catch-22 going on and I try not to let it get me down. From the people who have sent me feedback on my books I hear the same thing, that the reader connects with the characters. The problem is I don’t have many readers!

#WritersCoffeeClub 3/24. Do you have a writerly "third place"?

I’ll let you know as soon as I find a second place to write. So far I stick to my desk in the music room / office. My wife keeps 5 of her guitars on the wall and has a full sized electric keyboard in there. I only have a desk, so my term comes second. Once I settle on a second place to write I’ll start looking for a third.

#WritersCoffeeClub 3.22 — How do you organise your notes? (No notes?)

I’ve been all over the place in my journey as an author. I’ve been a complete #pantser and just wrote a story. I’ve written a chapter by chapter outline. In my #WIP I’m in between. I started a document to give character background. That morphed into outlining small scenes, then adding notes about what chapter an event or character is introduced. I guess it depends on the story I’m trying to tell

#WritersCoffeeClub 3rd of March: What are you *NOT* willing to compromise on?

I will never chase the latest trend or fad simply to sell books. I write the stories I’d like to read, however quirky they might be.

#WordWeavers day 24: Tell us about something positive you experienced because of writing.

That I’ve done it not once, but multiple times have finished a book.

#WordWeavers 3.14 — Is selling your work for money important to you when you write?

I view it as being important, as it provides me with encouragement that there are people out there who have consumed my stories and hopefully enjoyed them. I will always write the stories I’d like to read, but it is nice knowing other people are out there reading them too

#WordWeavers 3.16 — Do you have any kind of ritual to get in the mood to sit down and write? If so, what is it?

Mostly I’ll sit down and write, hoping the ideas I’ve been thinking about flow quickly through my fingers to my keyboard. I’m constantly thinking about my stories, and what’s going to happen next.

#WritersCoffeeClub March 19. Do you need to finish a work before starting another? Why (or why not)?

In general I’ve found I need to completely devote myself to working on 1 book at a time. Otherwise I won’t be able to give each project the focus needed. Inevitably I’ll mix up characters and plots too. However, I am starting to create an outline for my next book now that I’m more than 50% done with my #WIP. Plus the other book returns to characters from previous works, just with a new MC

#WordWeavers Mar. 6: If you have several stories, which one should a new reader start with?

The Challenges of Being Me. Lauren’s about to graduate from college and doesn’t know who she really is. From the outside she gives off the appearance of confidence, so why doesn’t she feel that way. Just when she thinks she’s found her path things send her back into a land of confusion.

https://www.amazon.com/Challenges-Being-Me-Friend-Group-ebook/dp/B0CLVTG628

#PennedPossibilities 949 — How do you manage stress related to writing?

Usually it means I’ll skip writing till the chaos around me settles down. I don’t like putting my wants on the back burner, but it’s often the easiest way to get everything else done

#PennedPossibilities 973 — How do you select the names of your characters? For you, is there a method?

I write contemporary fiction, so this tip ma not work for everyone. Once I know what year/time frame my book is set in I will then go to baby name sites and scroll back to when the MC would’ve been born. Then I’ll look through the top 20 names for both boys and girls to round out my cast. #writingcommunity

For the most part I’ve been pretty good at not letting the media I consume influence or bleed into what I’m writing. I can definitely feel the influx of the #AppleTV show #Shrinking on the chapter I’m working on. I only started watching it for the first time 3 weeks ago, but had this chapter outlined for many months. I’m finding it ironic my outline is matching the tone of a show I didn’t even know existed! I’ll leave it to you, the reader, to figure out which chapter it is. #writingcommunity

I had a nice chat with my editor over the weekend. I realized I’m working once final third of my #WIP. This project has me all over the place, trying to navigate two different time periods for the same MC and grinds. I think that’s why I didn’t comprehend how far along I actually am. #writingcommunity #authorsofmastodon

As of right now it looks like I should be able to sneak in some writing while my daughter is at dance. I’m really trying to keep my mind on my #WIP without spending too much mental energy working on the outline for my next book

#PennedPossibilities 952 — How do you use social media as an author?

I try to connect with an audience that wants to hear from me, without resorting to yelling “buy my books” into the void.

It’s that time of year, #MuddyPaw season is upon us. My dog got the zoomies outside and kicked up a ton of mud.

I did something today I swore I’d never do as an #author . I started outlining my next book while I’m not done writing my #WIP . 😬 it’s unrelated to the one I’m working on. I’m returning to my cast of characters from 2 previous books. It started with Tyler in My New Roommate. Got so much great feedback on my character of Lauren that I gave her a book, The Challenges of Being Me. Now it’s time for April’s book, as she was the “new roommate” originally. #writingcommunity #authorsofmastodon

This too warm to snow, too cold but still freezing rain nonsense can knock it off. I’ve had a tickle in my throat all day, sometimes stronger than others. Looking forward to taking some meds when I get home from work

Yay, I get to be a human pin cushion today. It’s time for my regular and routine MS bloodwork. Hopefully nothing has changed and I can continue doing what I’ve been doing

I’ve got #MarchMadness playing on my phone, volume off. Oh how I wish it wasn’t expensive to get to the games since #Buffalo is hosting!