Mark Rubinstein > Mark's Quotes

“The past is never dead. It's not even past.”
― William Faulkner, Requiem for a Nun

“Kenny, when's the last time you had a physical," Roddy asks.
"What're you...the designated driver of my life?"

"Mad Dog House”
― Mark Rubinstein

“Standing in the corner, leaning aginst the wall, is a fifth man.
If Grange is a Hummer, this guy's an 18-wheel Mack truck, thinks Roddy. Parked, with its engine idling. He reminds Roddy of Ivan Drago from that Rocky movie. The guy must stand six five and tip the scales at 270. Pure, rock-hard muscle. His crew-cut blond hair is slickly gelled; his face--especially those cheekbones and that lantern jaw--could be carved from granite. He, no doubt, spends counteless hours at some muscle emporium. Pure muscle, but probably clumsy; he would go down fast if Roddy drove a flurry of punches into his gut and face. A gold earring pierces the guy's left earlobe. The drape of the jacket on his Schwarzenegger shoulders shows a bulge on the left side. The guy's packing some serious hardware. Mack Truck stares blankly and stands rock-still, hands clasped in front of his gargantuan body.”
― Mark Rubinstein, Mad Dog House

“If you're a writer, you've chosen art as a way of life. You must accept that some will like your work and others will not. It's the life you chose, so live with it and don't complain.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“A writer has many tools: eyes, ears, nose, sensations, thoughts feelings and imagination. The tools can construct a house of stories.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“Listening is crucial for any novelist. Stories & ideas abound. We too often talk about ourselves & block out the richness others may offer.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“Why do I love writing? I can be who I want, do what I want, hurt who I want, and make the world over, just the way I'd love to have it.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“Having a dog or cat will open your heart. Reading a book will open your mind. Having both a pet & a book...absolute heaven.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“A writer should be on a quest to get better and better with each book. May it be a never-ending quest.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“The irony of writing is that it's a solitary profession in which the lone writer tries to address universal human concerns.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“Don't write for the market or for others. Write what you know, love and above all, write what you would love to read.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“A novel, though fiction, often speaks to the largest truths.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“Writing is a way of remaking the world, both for the writer and reader.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“Writing a novel creates a window to a new way of looking at the world. Reading one means looking through that window.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“A writer's two greatest tools are imagination and perseverance.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“If you're a writer, reading is part of your job description.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“A novel is the final common pathway of a writer's experiences, fears, wishes, thoughts, feelings & fantasies. All is distilled in a novel.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“Creativity isn't defined by word count, or the number of books one has published. A writer makes a commitment to stretch as far as possible, reaching for the music of words.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“There are twenty-six letters in the alphabet. A writer's task is to arrange them into sentences telling a unique story with guts, heart & soul.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“You don't have to make any decisions right now," Colleen says. "But I'll tell you this. There's life after marriage."

~Excerpt from "Mad Dog Justice”
― Mark Rubinstein, Mad Dog Justice

“Reading is the never-ending apprenticeship for writing ~ Mark Rubinstein”
― Mark Rubinstein

“A writer has two choices: either write or curl up and die.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“A writer keeps going despite what awaits the effort, the detours, ruts, curves & unexpected roadblocks. The road is clear. Drive on”
― Mark Rubinstein

“The writing life is punctuated by words, sentences, paragraph & pages. And by spurts of elation, inspiration, rejection & despair.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“Without conflict, there is no story. Without a story, there is no novel--only the author's self-indulgent musings.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“A writer should not wait for inspiration; it won't come. Inspiration is fueled by the act of writing, by the sweat of the effort, by the work.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“A writer's fiefdom is the entire world--everything seen, heard, felt & thought--all augmented by imagination.”
― Mark Rubinstein

“Reading is the parent of fine writing. It fosters familiarity with the written word & sets the template for a writer's journey ~ Mark Rubinstein”
― Mark Rubinstein

“A good read is like dancing a tango with the author. You feel the music, give yourself over, move in unison to the music of words. ~ Mark Rubinstein”
― Mark Rubinstein

“When I read, I visit other worlds. When I write, I create other worlds.”
― Mark Rubinstein