Author Interview – Jordan Rosenfeld

What contributes to making a writer successful? This is my recipe for success as a writer: Practice. Polish. Persist. In other words, write all the time, and keep getting better in whatever way you can, and then, believe in yourself and EDUCATE yourself and do not let discouragement keep you from doing what you love.

Do you have any advice for writers?
JR: I have advice for indie authors: Doing it yourself doesn’t mean you can take shortcuts or get off easier than those who go through mainstream channels; it means you have to work harder. MUCH harder, and be willing to put yourself through as much work as anyone else. Your reward will match your effort.

Do you have any specific last thoughts that you want to say to your readers?
JR: I hope that people in this flashy, fast digital age can remember to take the time to savor reading, because it’s so immeasurably good for the brain, the soul and the heart. It makes us smarter, more compassionate.

What do you do to unwind and relax? I actually take these wonderful dance classes that help me unwind my very tight mental coil. Otherwise, reading, baths, and a nice glass of red wine.

What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?
JR: So many! I’ve presented at conferences, met authors I admire, taught students, connected with new and interesting people and made lifelong friendships.

Do you have any upcoming appearances that you would like to share with us? Yes, I’ll be reading at the Why There Are Words Literary Reading series February 14th, 7pm, at Studio 333, in Marin County, California-an awesome venue. My book launch party will take place on Saturday March 2nd, 3-5pm, BookSmart of Morgan Hill, 80 E. 2nd ST. Morgan Hill, CA 95037. I’ll be on Word by Word, my old radio program, now hosted by Gil Mansergh sometime in early February, and hopefully at Copperfield’s Books, Petaluma, but don’t have date for that yet.

If you could leave your readers with one bit of wisdom, what would you want it to be? It may sound cheesy but: Follow your bliss. Find out what matters most to you and go after it. Seek out others who already “have” it and find out what they’ve done.

When you wish to end your career, stop writing, and look back on your life, what thoughts would you like to have? Satisfaction, completion, joy.