Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Open for Submissions
Exclusive Interview with
Mark Rutherford
When did you start writing?
I have always liked to write but started on my first novel in 2018
What makes writing your passion?
I like that it is an enjoyable process that reveals a lot about me, so I guess the challenge of new self discovery is as strong as the satisfaction of writing something for others to enjoy
How long have you been writing?
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Hah! Relief. Writing the novel was easy compared to getting it published.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
The story needed a Dr Strangelove type demented leader of the free world and he had to be opposed by a strong protagonist.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Publishing
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I don’t really have it. I learnt that to write you have to write so if ever I am in doubt I just write. Once I start everything flows.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
A combination of enjoyment and work ethic. If I did not follow a disciplined work pattern I probably would not write as much. That’s the advice I would give. Treat it like an enjoyable job. You have to front up to work every day.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Every one. I haven’t had a bad one though I did have a personal meeting with a friend who wouldn’t put a review in writing. Turns out he liked the book but had a lot of constructive criticism which I found very valuable.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Immense pride that I gave that reader some hours of enjoyment and they felt highly enough to write a review.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Yes, frequently
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
None and no.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
I hope not. It is important for marketing but there are many poor books with great covers. I would like to have a good cover that means nothing to the reader once they have read the first chapter.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
Either is fine but in 2020 and 2021 face to face is rare so a lot is done in writing, messaging and social media.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Proud, excited, happy and humbled.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Not sure I want to be famous. I dream of a novel that is financially successful and provides a launching pad for a series of novels with rusted on readers.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I haven’t met any yet and hope I don’t. They must have poor lives to be like that.
What would you say to your readers?
Please read and write honest reviews.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
Husband of one, father of two, grandfather of five. Lifetime sailor.
What is your day job if you have one?
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Sailing, volunteering, exercise of body and mind.
Did you have a happy childhood?
How could a kid growing up in Australia not have a happy childhood?
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Probably being graded for an essay in High School. I got A for the essay and minus for effort. The teacher thought I wrote a good piece without even trying. His message was imagine what you could do if you tried. My take away was look at what I can achieve with no effort.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
What is your favorite music?
Classical
Share a secret with us 🙂