Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest Stuart Gustafson. Stuart has authored Parables for life in the 21st Century, Mastering The Art of Retirement, and he has co-authored Questions to Bring You Closer to Dad, Questions to Bring You Closer to Mom, Questions to Bring You Closer to Grandma and Grandpa. He has a BA in Mathematics, MBA in Entrepreneurship. Now retired from the corporate world, he is a nationally published author of several books. An experienced world traveler, he spends his time teaching at the University, writing, traveling, and reading interesting books. His primary pleasure is the combination of travel and writing.

Good day Stuart and thanks for participating in our interview:

Norm:

How did you get started in writing? What keeps you going? What makes you write a new book?

Stuart:

Hi, Norm. My interest in writing began many years ago when I took a Creative Writing Class in High School. My teacher, Mrs. Coles, was very inspiring, and the desire to write was begun, although it was many years until I would actually begin. My first published book Parables for Life in the 21st Century started as a compilation of sayings and ideas that I had been collecting for about twenty years. Then one day, I had the inspiration on how to put all of those sayings and ideas together into a book – and so it began.

What keeps me going is that I am always seeing things that make me think. And as I continue to think about some of those things, the formation of a book begins. Some of those beginning books eventually get tossed aside, but some ideas burn too brightly to be put out, and so I keep on pursuing them. If I find that I am able to develop a good outline of material, and feel that the book will be of benefit to the readers, I then begin to add more content to the outline until I have the entire flow of the book developed.

Norm:

What do you want your work to do? Amuse people? Provoke thinking?

Stuart:

Each book is a little bit different, but the constant factor in all my books is to deliver a product (the book) that gives value to the reader. That value can in the form of amusement, knowledge, insight, improved relationships, etc. Of course, “knowledge” itself can take so many forms – it could be just information, or it can be something substantial that can be used by the readers to help improve their lives, have a better experience, or make or save money. The key is that the readers must feel that they have gotten more than “full value” from the price of the book. It doesn’t matter what the price of the book is, if the reader hasn’t received more value from the book than what it cost, then I haven’t done a good job of delivering a value product to that reader.

Norm:

What's the most difficult thing for you about being a writer?

Stuart:

Not having enough time to write about every subject that I would like to write about. My wife and I enjoy traveling, but she doesn’t want to go somewhere with me and see that I am going to spend a substantial part of each day “working.” I don’t consider writing “work”; but when I am sitting at the computer while we’re “on vacation,” she considers that work for me – meaning that time is not available for us to be vacationing. We were on one trip and we had to develop a compromise because I wanted to work on a book, but she wanted time to do things together. So I agreed that I would write only in the morning, and then we would have lunch and the afternoon for us. That worked for her, and it also allowed me time to write.

Norm:

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Stuart:

My eyes and ears are always open, and they are receptive to ideas that I think are interesting. Interesting not only to me, but are also interesting and of value to others. I could write something that is only meant for me, but then only I would get enjoyment from it. Once I have taken an idea and thought about it for a while, I will then do some research on it – either through an online network of acquaintances or by immersing myself into the area. For example, I spent eight weeks in another country while doing some research for a book. The time spent there was rewarded by experiences and information that could not have otherwise been gained had I not gone there.

Norm:

Do you feel that writers, regardless of genre owe something to readers, if not, why not, if so, why and what would that be?

Stuart:

I definitely feel that every writer has an obligation to his/her readers. After all, if I expect someone to pay for my book, I certainly must give that person something of equal or greater value in return. In my Questions to Bring You Closer series, I am confident that each reader will come away with an understanding of how to develop a stronger relationship with Dad, Mom, or grandparents. Each person will do it differently (and I have heard from many readers telling me ways that they have used the books to help them), and the end results will be different – yet they will be the same; they will have a stronger relationship with someone they love. In Mastering “the Art of Retirement” I provide money-saving tips, stress saving tips, and some money-making tips for your retirement. I even offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee in the book. If you don’t feel you got your money’s worth from the book, I’ll refund your money. I offer value, and I guarantee that you will get it!

Norm:

Many writers want to be published, but not everyone is cut out for a writer's life. What are some signs that perhaps someone is not cut out to be a writer and should try to do something else for a living?

Stuart:

If your sole purpose in being a writer is “to make money,” then that might be the first clue that you should do something else. I have not heard of any writers who struck it rich on the first try. If you cannot accept rejection, then writing might not work for you. Even the biggest names in writing have had works rejected by agents or publishers. The book might be “personal” for you, but it’s “business” for them. You have to believe in what you’ve written, and be willing to re-write your manuscript, adapt it to a different audience, cut out portions that you really like, etc. I am not able to work on more than one book at a time. But then I can only read one book at a time. I know people who can be reading several books at a time, but I can’t. Likewise, I don’t see how a writer can work on more than one at a time. This means that you have to be single-focused ; if you can’t see it through to completion before you start something else – writing is probably not for you.

Norm:

Can you tell us how you found representation for your books? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?

Stuart:

How about a “Yes” to all of those questions. I have self-published and have the books available in local bookstores and on Amazon. I also have books represented by a New York City literary agent and published by a traditional publisher. I also have books that are self-published and available only through me. About the only thing I haven’t done is to have a book available through the Print on Demand process. I do have to admit that I got my NYC agent through my co-author who was already represented by her; I probably wouldn’t have gotten her representation otherwise. The only rejections I’ve received have been book proposals that I’ve sent to my agent. Now here’s the hard part for a writer – no matter how great you think your book idea is, if your agent says “No,” throw it away. Your agent gets paid by selling your book to a publisher. If he or she doesn’t think it will sell, then why would you think otherwise? They know more about the industry – LISTEN TO THEM!

Norm:

Where do you see yourself (with regards to writing) in the next five years?

Stuart:

Right now I still like writing different types of books, so I don’t know if in five years I will have focused in on one genre, or if I will still be doing different ones. I love to travel, and so I expect that my writing will include some of that, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction Regardless of what I am writing, I know that it must give great value to the reader. After all, it is the readers who validate the “worth”iness of your book.

Norm:

How have you used the Internet to boost your writing career?

Stuart:

For one, I am able to do research online that would not have been possible many years ago. That saves me time and money. But the internet also allows me to maintain a presence in front of my readers and potential readers. I use my main website www.stuartgustafson.com as a way for people to find out about my books and see f the preview interests them enough to consider buying them. I also send out a monthly newsletter to those who opt-in – that gives me another way to connect with people each month. Some of these people might not have bought a book of mine, but they are interested in some of the things I have to say. I try to include a parable from Aesop in each newsletter, plus other news about me and my writing. The most satisfying part to me, however, is that readers can contact me to tell me how a book has helped them. I don’t know who buys my books when they go into a store in another state. But when that book helps them, and they write me, that is what is very satisfying about being a writer.

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about you and your books and what is next for Stuart Gustafson?

Stuart:

The best place to find out about me and my books is on my website www.stuartgustafson.com. People can read previews of the books, and see where they are available. Visitors can also opt-in to my NO SPAM mailing list to receive a newsletter once a month from me. I try to keep the newsletter short so it can be read in one viewing, and I keep the marketing of my books to a minimum. I like to think of my readers and my email subscribers as “extended family,” and I don’t want to take advantage of that relationship. I have just completed my first full-length mystery novel, and I am investigating potential interest in it from various sources. My wife has asked me when I was going to start on my “next book”; I told her not for a while. I have plenty of ideas, but I am excited about this novel. I also want to promote my retirement book a little more (even though it saves people money, it is primarily NOT about the financial side to retirement). No matter what I do, travel will definitely play a part in it.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Stuart:

First of all, Norm, thank you for this opportunity. I also want to urge all the readers to “demand” more from the books that you read. What I mean by this is that if you read a book that you don’t think has “delivered” what the cover or promo materials promised, take action. Write someone abut it – the publisher, the agent, the author. Let someone know that you didn’t get your money’s worth from the book. You might think that your effort is wasted, but it’s not wasted if “you” are joined by many other “you’s” – “your” collective effort can make a difference. If you read one of my books, and you don’t think it gives you the value that you expect, I want you to tell me – write me at stuart@staurtgustafson.com. However, if you do feel the book does give value, then tell a friend about it! Thanks.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.