tell us about you and your books
Do you plot
or let the story unfold as you write?
My ideas for my books appear in my head like a movie. I
quickly write out everything that I see in the setting or the details of the story
as it travels through my mind.
The only problem is that these ideas are like lightning – one
brilliant flash and it’s gone. This is why I keep notepads and pens everywhere.
I have them next to my bed, on the wall in my shower, and on the dashboard of my
car. I just never know when one of these crazy ideas passing through my head
could be useful for a story.
Are your
characters based on real people?
For my upcoming book, The Witches of Vegas, I believe they
may be fictional characters. Or, they might be real people but from an
alternate reality who contacted me one night and told me their stories. The
images formed in my head like memories from a book I recently read or a movie
I’ve recently seen. With each question I asked, I would hear the answer in my
brain. FYI, most of these conversations took place at around two in the
morning.
So, are The Witches of Vegas real people using their power to
share their story with me so I can tell it to the world? Or is it all just an
overactive imagination bordering on schizophrenia? Read the first book coming
out soon and decide for yourself.
How did you
do in English as a kid?
English was, by far, my best subject. In comparison, math
was, by far, my worst. Throughout my schooling I could write an essay on the
a.m. school bus and it would get an “A” while I would study non-stop for my
math exams and barely pass, if at all. One time in junior high school, I wrote
a paper on World War 1 without a single fact. The teacher loved the story and
gave it an “A.”
A quick story from the 7th grade: the class was
asked to interview one of our grandparents and write their story. The problem
was that my grandparents were like an old sitcom couple who turned every
conversation into an argument. Sure enough, that’s what happened. I received no
information from either of them, just listened to a huge argument.
I decided to make up a story about how my grandfather ran
away from home during the depression and built a business from the nickel an
hour he made carrying bales of hay. I talked about how he met my grandmother,
fell in love and together built the life they lived today. The teacher liked it
so much he asked me if I could have my grandparents come in and speak to the
class about their “experience.” I had to back away from that real fast.
What is your
favorite book you’ve written and why?
Being completely honest, my upcoming novel, The Witches of
Vegas, is my favorite work. The reason is that I essentially retired from writing
a few years ago. Up until now, I wrote The Rasner Effect series, which was an
adult thriller series and Status Quo, a sci-fi novel. After four books, I lost
my motivation to write. Then, enough time had passed that I thought writing was
behind me.
Suddenly, the idea for The Witches of Vegas hit me in the
middle of the night. Once I had the characters in my head, the story
practically wrote itself. The best part: I feel it takes the best aspects of my
previous writing and creates this story which I am really excited about. It is
my first young adult novel which is a genre I have never written before.
By coming out of “retirement” and into a whole new genre with
renewed vigor and excitement, I call myself a “born again writer.”
What tips
would you give a new writer?
Believe it or not, the writing itself is the easiest part of
the journey. Once the manuscript is done, get ready for the long haul, it
becomes a difficult endeavor. Most publishers will reject you without even
looking at your work simply because you’re an unknown name. It is both a
frustrating and humbling experience. But, if you keep persevering and keep
pushing yourself, it is absolutely worth it in the end.
Signing your first contract is as exciting as finding out
you’re going to be a parent for the first time. When the publisher sends you
the proof for your cover, it’s like seeing a sonogram for the life you are
bringing into this world. Then, the book comes out and you know, this is your
baby that you look forward to sharing with the world.
Just be aware, you’re likely to receive over a hundred
rejections from publishers and agents before you find that perfect partner who
wants to take care of your baby with you.
And for a little fun...
Do you ever
wish that you had an entirely uncreative job, like data entry or working in a
factory?
Absolutely not! As a guidance counselor for special needs
students, my daily routine is never the same. I’m off my feet as many times a
day as I am sitting in front of a computer.
This is a good thing because I know I couldn’t handle sitting all day
and doing the same thing over and over for years.
Has the dog
ever eaten your manuscript?
I can
honestly say the dog I grew up with never ate any of my manuscripts. In fact, that
may be the ONLY thing that our dog didn’t eat or pee on.
Are you fun
to go on vacation with?
I definitely know how to enjoy a vacation, but I am even more
fun in the planning stages. My wife has often told me if I wasn’t a guidance
counselor, I would be a travel agent because I love researching places to visit
and planning tours and excursions for once we are there.
Sometimes, I can get so excited about an upcoming vacation
that I have to rein it in because I set my expectations so high that the
reality couldn’t possibly match. But, if you’re looking for something specific
for your next vacation, I’ve probably already found it, researched it and I may
have even been there.
Do you have
any hobbies?
Yes, I love magic. From card tricks to stage magic, I have
studied and performed it all. In fact, I used to perform during college for
talent shows and at a local club. I got my start at a magic shop in Hicksville,
Long Island where many magicians, both professional and aspiring, used to hang
out and discuss the trade. I learned a lot from being part of those
conversations. One of the magicians who frequented that magic shop was the
famous Chris Angel.
After college, I worked with a popular jazz band called New
York City Swing. Through them, I made extra money by performing magic at
birthday parties and Bar Mitzvah’s.
Although I don’t perform anymore, I teach magic to my
students as part of our performing arts program. I find magic helps my students
develop their self-confidence, teamwork skills and ability to follow multi-step
directions.
If you were
stranded on a desert island, what three things would be the most essential for
you?
I like to think practical. So, my three essentials would be a
boat, a GPS and a sailor. Obviously, my goal would be to get off the island.
This recent experience with sheltering in due to Covid-19 has shown me that I
would not handle well the boredom of being stranded somewhere.
Look for The Witches of Vegas - Coming soon…
and download The Rasner Effect from Amazon and other online retailers
https://www.amazon.com/Rasner-Effect-Mark-Rosendorf-ebook/dp/B00I265ON2
2 comments:
Hi Mark; Glad you found you way back to writing and best of luck on the new book. I too sometimes think my scenarios have already transpired, and someone out there just wants their story told and somehow they chose me. Either way it's so much fun.
Best of luck with your writing. 🦉
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