Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Author Interview - James Rubart, Author of ROOMS - Part 1


Bio: James L. Rubart is the best-selling author of ROOMS and BOOK OF DAYS, married to the love of  his life, and extremely proud of his two teenage sons. When he's not dirt biking, water skiing or playing guitar, he helps people with their marketing through his company, Barefoot Marketing.

Without further adieu, let's give Jim a big Christian Writer/Reader welcome!

1) From your website, I see you own a marketing company and have a speaking platform. How did you get involved writing fiction?

In 2003 God said, "It's time," and I dove in full force. He put the dream to write inside me when I was ten, but I was too scared to do anything about it till I heard God speak very clearly, "You're supposed to be a novelist. When are you going to start living your destiny?" I was still fearful, but knew God was blazing a trail in front of me. I finished ROOMS two years later--went to my first writing conference in 2006 and was offered a contract in June of '08. God was intricately involved the whole way.

2) Your book, Rooms, was riveting. Where did you get the idea for the main character and the plot?

ROOMS had a ton of influences, including It's a Wonderful Life, Frequency, Family Man, Disney's The Kid, Waking The Dead and Wild at Heart, but the spark that started it all was Robert Munger's little pamphlet My Heart, Christ's Home. When I was in my teens, that booklet had a major impact on my life. For twenty years I thought, "That would make a cool story if you blew up the idea on steroids and turned it into a novel. So I took that influence, mixed in the movies and books mentioned above along with a large helping of romance, and out came ROOMS.

Next Wednesday, 4/20/11, we'll continue with Part II of the interview.

Question for Writers: What inspired your WIP or finished manuscript?

Question for Readers: Have you ever dreamed of writing a book? What's keeping you from putting feet to those dreams?



24 comments:

Raquel Byrnes said...

My latest WIP was inspired by a trip to Seattle. So excited to read the rest of the interview.
Edge of Your Seat Romance

Rosslyn Elliott said...

I totally get the fear factor! I had it too, so I'm glad Jim is here to show me that I'm not the only one who delayed a writing career because I had to work up the nerve to go for my real dream.

Looking forward to part 2,

Rosslyn

Carla Gade said...

That's me, too. The Lord finally confronted me on facing my fears and now I am finally getting published.

The premise for Rooms sounds great. I think it is really neat that My Heart, Christ's Home had such an impact and inspired you to write this novel. Looking forward to part 2!

Diane said...

That's quite a mixture of things to draw from. Sounds so interesting! :O)

Jessica Nelson said...

I'd love to read Rooms! Sounds fascinating.
My first book was inspired by quite a few things all rolled into a story. :-) But the details about the Spanish influenza were something I stumbled on and helped create motivation for my heroine to be traveling west. :-)

Terri Tiffany said...

I had the pleasure to meet Jim at the conference in Spokane last month. He is very inspiring!!

James L. Rubart said...

Thanks, Terri, it was good to meet you as well. Thanks all. I love hear about dreams coming true.

Raquel, it doesn't always rain in Seattle. :)

Rosslyn, it was good meeting you at ACFW last year. Congrats on the launch of your novel!

Jim

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Raquel -

Seattle! I haven't seen many books set there. I can't wait to read more about it. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Rosslyn -

Fear is such a bully! I'm glad both you and Jim stood up to it and wrote.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Carla -

I'm also looking forward to reading your book. It inspires me to see my friends getting contracts.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Diane -

I liken it to making a big pot of stew or tomato sauce. You add a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and then taste it. Then you tweak the flavors and get the balance just right.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess -

I LOVED this book and want to read it again. There aren't many stories that grip me to that extent.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

Did they tape his keynote address? I should contact Jan and order it.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jim -

Thanks for stopping by to chat with our commenters.

Book of Days is on my TBR pile. I'm saving it for a week when I desperately need inspiration. It may be soon as I'm starting a new job next week!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Anonymous said...

I am writing but know I can take a deeper dive. And loved Jim's word that "God was blazing a trial..." I'll be looking for Rooms now at my local bookstore.

Karen Lange said...

Good interview! Looking forward to part two! :)
Blessings,
Karen

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

Thank you for this interview (well, half of it) Susan, his books sounds very interesting!
As for my WIP, they are all inspired by scripture, and yes, I am still scared sometimes.

James L. Rubart said...

Yes, my talks were taped.

Jim

Jill Kemerer said...

How exciting to hear your journey, James! I love that a pamphlet inspired you for years.

Susan, I get inspired by underdogs. I'm constantly coming up with stories based on minor characters in films, books, and television shows.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Lynn -

I think we can all "dive a little deeper." :)

Jim's book is awesome! I know you'll enjoy it.

Blessings,
Susan

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen -

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Marja -

This interview is a 3-part series. I didn't want to leave anything out!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jim -

Great! I'll check with Jan.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jill -

We never know how our words will impact someone. A single phrase has sustained me through dark times.

Underdogs bring out our protective nature. I can't wait to read your work. :)

Blessings,
Susan