Mark Rubinstein's Blog, page 17

“World Gone By” A Conversation with Dennis Lehane

Dennis Lehane is known to millions of readers. His novels Mystic River, Gone, Baby, Gone, and Shutter Island became blockbuster movies, with the most recent film being The Drop, which is based on his short story, Animal Rescue.

A Drink Before the War won the Shamus Award. Mystic River won both the Anthony and the Barry Awards for Best Novel, and the Massachusetts Award in Fiction. Live by Night won the Edgar Award for Best Novel, and the Florida Book Award Gold Medal for Fiction.

World Gone B...

Getting Those Creative Juices Flowing

Recently, I read an article describing a study that confirmed something I'm quite certain I knew intuitively.

A Stanford University study indicated that walking on a treadmill at "an easy, self-selected pace" while facing a blank wall helped generate 60 percent more innovative ideas when the subjects were tested psychologically for creative thinking. These results were reported to have applied to almost every student tested.

The article also said, "Walking markedly improved people's ability to generate creative ideas, even when they sat down after the walk."

The volunteers who walked produced significantly more and subjectively better ideas than in their pre-exercise testing period.

These results were duplicated when the subjects walked outdoors, though the creativity index, while higher than before walking, was less than that measured while on a treadmill facing a blank wall. Walking may ignite creative thoughts, but doing so without distractions may enhance the process. One of the study's coordinators said, "It really seems that it's the walking that matters" in spurring creativity.

While this is not a shattering discovery, it lends an empirical component to what many creative people have known intuitively. I've talked with writers who claim to experience a surge in creative impulses while walking, bicycling, swimming laps, jogging, hiking or using an elliptical machine. These relatively non-strenuous exercises can certainly improve mood and may bring about subtle physiologic brain changes dampening down our minds' rational filters. In other words, certain brain functions may be altered, allowing almost dreamlike thoughts and images to surface and eventually achieve expression as a play, poem, novel or solution to business and life dilemmas. Exercise may simply open a window to stream-of-consciousness thinking and imagination.

While more research must be done before this is definite, empirical evidence suggests that exercise may enhance creative impulses and problem-solving for anyone.

I'll have to think about this, but meanwhile, as a writer, I'm going out for a stroll. Or maybe I'll hop onto a treadmill.

Conversations with Authors

Over the last two years, I've interviewed more than 70 authors for my Huffington Post blog.
Readers have asked about my preparation, and authors frequently say our discussions delve into aspects of the writing life and of life itself they hadn't encountered during other interviews.

Maybe it's because I wear several hats. As a psychiatrist, I'm a good listener and believe everyone has an interesting life story to tell. Because I'm also a writer, I've been on book tours, and know all-too-well how difficult it is to sound "fresh" when asked the same question a hundred times. And as a voracious reader, I want to sink my teeth into something more than fluff about an author.

Here's how I approach each blog:

I read the book in its entirety.
That doesn't mean I necessarily enjoyed every book resulting in an author interview, but I had to find something worthy, be it in the plotting, character development, or language. Yes, there have been a few well-known authors whom I’ve declined to interview because in my estimation, they’re just grinding out the same old tale, and have lost the fire in the belly. Some of my favorite interviews have been with first-time authors who have exhibited real talent and a fresh perspective. And of course, I always enjoy talking with some of the most famous novelists who’ve retained the passion for writing, often coupled with self-doubt and wonderment at their incredible success.

The publisher's press release is the least important piece of background material:
Yes, I read it; but once I decide to interview an author, I dive into source material online. Especially when interviewing a well-known writer, seeing the arc of that person's life and growth as a novelist adds dimension to the interview. And prior to our conversation, I'll often go back and read earlier works by that author.

Make it a conversation, not an interview:
Each interview is a conversation. In an ideal world, we'd be sitting together sharing coffee or a drink, but usually we're on the phone, and have never met. It's my job to make the author comfortable. In the initial moments, I hope to set that tone by reading what will be my opening paragraph of the piece, a carefully crafted preface that lets the author know I've read the book and found it stimulating. I listen carefully to the author’s voice, knowing even some of the most well-known writers are shy people who are uncomfortable being interviewed. After so many years as a shrink, I've had experience helping people relax, and feel unthreatened. I hope by the end of our end of our conversation, the author enjoyed chatting with me.

Have an outline, but remain spontaneous:
In advance of the interview, I prepare a list of questions. But, because I want the exchange to be fresh and interesting, the conversation must follow its own course. Looking back on various blogs, it's apparent the ebb and flow took us into areas I could never have scripted. When that happens, I feel something worthwhile has occurred.

Don't inject myself:
Although I'm a writer and share many of the same experiences, insecurities, and pleasures as those whom I'm interviewing, I keep in mind it's all about them, not me. When I'm on book tour next month, it will be my turn.

Give the writer a moment:
Whether it's the time it takes for the writer to decide what to say in answering a question, or make certain we've covered all the bases, I give the author ample time, and the last word in our talk. I don’t want someone to feel pressured, or that our time together was just another revolving-door interview.

Retain the author's "voice":
When preparing the piece, I edit the conversation into readable form without sacrificing the author’s unique "voice”. After all, it's my job to make the reader feel as if he’s joined us for that cup of coffee or glass of wine. All the advance reading and preparation is for naught if I don't deliver on that expectation.

Maybe what makes my blogs a bit different is the fact that I've been on book tours, and know how enervating and mind-numbing they can be. Most writers readily admit they would rather spend time on their craft than talking about it. It's very difficult to keep a fresh perspective, especially when your publisher has you tightly scheduled and the interviews are serving up an endless volley of similar questions, often taken directly from a press release.


The ground rules I impose upon myself in deciding whom to interview, coupled with my empathy for the beleaguered author on tour, hopefully result in an enjoyable conversation.

Next month I’ll be on book tour, and the shoe will be on the proverbial "other foot.” I hope an interviewer will make me feel like I'm having a conversation with a friend over a cup of coffee.
That would be a welcomed moment.

Conversations with Authors

Over the last two years, I’ve interviewed more than 70 authors for my Huffington Post blog.
Readers have asked about my preparation, and authors frequently say our discussions delve into aspects of the writing life and of life itself they hadn’t encountered during other interviews.

Maybe it’s because I wear several hats. As a psychiatrist, I’m a good listener and believe everyone has an interesting life story to tell. Because I’m also a writer, I’ve been on book tours, and know all-too-well h...

Coming June 1st, “The Lovers’ Tango.”

Advance reviews by well-known authors are coming in for The Lovers’ Tango. I’m very gratified by the response. Other authors who’ve endorsed the novel are James Rollins, (Sigma Force series) Phillip Margolin, (many legal thrillers), Jon Land (Caitlin Strong series), and Scott Pratt (the Joe Dillard series). The novel is available on Amazon for pre-order as a Kindle or print edition as well as at Barnes and Noble and local bookstores.

Why Crime Thriller Fiction?

I’m often asked why I write crime-thriller novels. Sometimes, I think the answer is easy: I loveto read them, so I write them, too.

But why crime? Why thrillers? You can tap the range of human emotions and experiences in virtually any genre, so what about crime novels is so attractive?

I suppose partly it’s because these things could actually occur—they could really happen to people like you and me. I mean, the chance you’ll encounter a ghost, be transported to another planet, or have some pa...

“The Lovers Tango” is Now Available for Pre-Order (Kindle or Print)

Publication date of “The Lovers’ Tango” is June 1st, but you can pre-order this novel on Amazon as either a Kindle book or print edition http://tinyurl.com/qy76k3f

‘The Lady From Zagreb” A Conversation with Philip Kerr

Philip Kerr obtained a master’s degree in law and philosophy from the University of Birmingham in the UK. He worked as an advertising copywriter for Saatchi and Saatchi before becoming a full-time writer in 1989. He is best known for the Bernie Gunther series of historical thrillers set in Germany during the 1930s, World War II, and the Cold War. He was a finalist for the Edgar Award, the Shamus Award, and winner of the British Crime Writers Association Ellis Peters Award for Best Historical...

About Reading

There are many quotes, often by famous people, about reading. But here’s one that succinctly articulates the benefits of reading.

“Killer, Come Hither’ A Conversation with Louis Begley

Louis Begley was born in Poland in 1933. He and his parents survived the Holocaust, and he came to the U.S. at 13 years of age. He attended Harvard College, graduating summa cum laude. He then entered the U.S. Army. In 1959, after graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, he became an attorney in a prestigious law firm, where for many years, he headed its international practice.

When he was 58 years old and still practicing law, Wartime Lies, his first novel, was published. Based on...