James L. Rubart Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?

A: Fell in love with stories when I was under three feet tall and probably fell in love with writing them not long after. But I didn’t get serious about writing fiction (trying to get published) till I was in my late 30s and my wife went on a fast—not knowing why—and while she was on it, the Spirit spoke to me very specifically about stepping into my destiny as a novelist.

Genre? Even after eight books, I’m not sure—nor is anyone else. Let’s just say I write contemporary stories where wonderful, fantastical things tend to happen, along with a liberal dose of physiological suspense.

Q: What does your writing space look like?

A: It used to be in a secret writing room in my attic, but since we recently moved, I’m working on a new spot. I’ve put up a little shed in our yard that is built, but not finished inside. I hope to have it done by end of the year. The view from it is quite inspiring!

Q: In this busy world, how do you find time to connect with God and how does this impact your writing?

A: I’m realizing connecting with God isn’t something I do for a set time in the morning, or at night. It’s continual. Remember that old cliché, “Don’t limit God to Sunday mornings.”? I don’t think we should limit Him to a short daily routine either. I think we need to practice the presence of God every second of the day. Worship—for example–is so much more than singing songs. It’s immersing ourselves in Him in every moment

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?

A: The marketing. No, that doesn’t make any sense since I make a good deal of my living marketing others. It’s just much tougher to promote myself than others.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release The Long Journey to Jake Palmer?

A: Love to, Susan. Here’s a brief description:  What if there was a place where everything wrong in your life could be fixed?

Corporate trainer Jake Palmer coaches people to see deeper into themselves—yet he barely knows himself anymore. Recently divorced and weary of the business life, Jake reluctantly agrees to a lake-house vacation with friends, hoping to escape for ten days.

When he arrives, Jake hears the legend of Willow Lake—about a lost corridor that leads to a place where one’s deepest longings will be fulfilled.

Jake scoffs at the idea, but can’t shake a sliver of hope that the corridor is real. And when he meets a man who mutters cryptic speculations about the corridor, Jake is determined to find the path, find himself, and fix his crumbling life.

But the journey will become more treacherous with each step Jake takes.

And it’s been a thrill to see it so well-received. Both Publishers Weekly and Library Journal gave it starred reviews and RT Book Reviews gave it 4.5 stars and made it a Top Pick

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A: My wife. We were brainstorming about the premise and she said, “Why not write about the corridor?” When our sons were young, we’d take them to a lake in eastern Washington, anchor our boat at the end of the lake and push through a wall of cattails and trees till we reached this vast field. We all pretended we’d entered another land, another realm … so when Darci said write about the corridor, I thought, “Yes! I could have a lot of fun with my hero searching for that lost corridor.

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her.

A: Without getting too personal, Jake is based on a very close friend. His entire life had been based on meeting other’s expectations, being what they wanted him to be in every circumstance—so much that he didn’t know who he truly was. So it’s a story about finding your true self, and stepping into that identity.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?

A: Almost all the characters in the book are based on real-life people. For example my friend Susie (Susan May Warren) plays a significant role in the book. My elderly friend, Leonard does as well. Not to mention an, uh, non-friend that is such a wonderfully antagonistic person, I just had to put her in there! Doing that was a lot of fun.

Enjoyed the least? Due to a number of circumstances, I had to write the novel crazy fast—eight weeks and it would have been nice to have a little more time.

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?

A: As I hinted at above, I explore the question of we can ever be enough. Enough for our spouses, our friends, our children … and ultimately ourselves.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A:  The quick description is the story is The Family Man (movie) meets Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Another way to describe it is I’m going to explore Romans chapter 7. I’m excited about it.

I’m also working on a series of short novels that will be more like a TV show. We’ll release six of them (about 30,000 words each) in six months, like episodes. I say “we” because I’ll be writing them with Susie. (Susan May Warren.)

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?

A:  C.S. Lewis (my greatest writing inspiration as well as a man who has significantly shaped my theology) and my dad. He joined the Great Cloud of Witnesses in 2010 and I still miss him terribly. But a day is coming …

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?

A:  As a kid I was interested in 100,000 things. At this point I’ve narrowed the list, but it’s still longer than most people’s. Here are a few of my favorites: Playing guitar, waterskiing, dirt biking, backpacking, golf, sleight of hand … that’s probably enough.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done?

A:  Being part of raising two of the most outstanding young men you will ever meet. And not only are they outstanding, they are two of my best friends. I am a rich man indeed.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?

A:  On my website at: http://jameslrubart.com/ on Twitter: @jamesLrubart and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLRubart/ I’d love to connect with your readers.

Thanks so much for having me, Susan!