Roger Grubbs is one of the founding members of the M3 Coffee Shoppe. He brings to the table more than 30 novels. Red picked his brain to find out what fuels all the suspense which escapes his fertile imagination.
M3: Roger, what is the quick introduction you would give to M3 Readers?
RG: Born & raised in Alabama, graduate of Auburn University, husband, father, author of over 30 books, publisher, market analyst, owner of Market Consultants since 1979, Who’s Who among company executives, President’s Club with top stock brokerage firm. Currently residing in Florida.
M3: Is there anyone you want to thank?
RG: First and foremost, I thank God for providing me with the talents that I have. I also would like to thank all the friends and family in my life that have influenced me to pursue my dreams which include my writing career. To be truthful with you, when I was in college, English was my worst subject. If anyone had told me I would become a writer for a living, I would have said they were crazy. But, guess what? That has been my sole source of income since 1979. Go figure.
M3: Where did you get your start in the industry?
RG: At the bottom! Doesn’t everybody? Actually, I started my own company in 1979, writing newsletters. In order to sell my publications, I was forced to learn the business of copywriting. I became fairly good at what I was doing. Soon other companies approached me to write advertisements for them. Then, I started writing true crime novels as a hobby and eventually switched to fiction. I love fiction. It is much more entertaining.
M3: It seems you fell in! Any advice you can give the budding writers in the M3 audience?
RG: Don’t expect to get rich overnight. While it may happen for some, you will be sorely disappointed if that is your goal. On the other hand, if you really like what you are doing, nobody is going to be able to stop you. Success is measured in one satisfied reader at a time. I have it made in that category because my wife will not allow me to write anything that she isn’t satisfied with. There you go. That is my satisfied reader. Actually, many of my stories were written for her. I am proud to say that others enjoy them too.
M3: You really do have a muse. How do you find the time to write?
RG: First thing in the morning I write while my mind is alert and creative. Then I take care of business as a market analyst. I keep up with twenty-two different markets every day. We have thousands of subscribers to our services worldwide. Between commentaries, newsletters, and market updates, I write. When you love to write, you seem to be able to find time to do it. I squeeze writing into every spare moment. Occasionally I have dreams, and this gives me fresh ideas to begin working on the next morning.
M3: With all you do everyday, do you go on hiatus?
RG: What kind of animal is that? If you are talking about taking a break from my writing, I generally take a hiatus between 12:30 and 1:00 every day. Nap time! If you are talking about a hiatus for my characters and their plots, I generally give them a few minutes before sending another crisis at them to deal with. Can’t let our readers get bored. Since I jump from one project to another, I feel I am taking a break in the process. I am constantly busy, but concentrating on one thing at a time. I never stop.
M3: Sounds tiring. What is in the works now?
RG: I prefer to work on four or five different projects at the same time. My goal is to have something for every age group in as many genres as possible. I have a picture book that I am working on for preschoolers. I am finishing up on a book targeted to 6- to 8-year-olds. And, of course, I am always working on a new adventure for Dr. Andrew Rogers. Other than that, I have a few ideas floating around. I would be amiss not to mention two sequels to The Twelve SEALs.
M3: What makes The Twelve SEALs close to your heart?
RG: I enjoyed writing each and every one of my novels. But the one I am concentrating on at the moment is The Twelve SEALs and its sequels, which involve human trafficking. The reason I am doing this is to expose a global problem that is spiraling out of control. Innocent victims are being kidnapped, taken from their families, and sold into slavery. This life of torture is beyond comprehension. After doing extensive research, I am convinced many of the disappearances of our young people are connected with this problem. The average lifespan of a person that is being abused in this manner is only five to ten years after their abduction.
M3: How is The Twelve SEALs different from everything else in the genre?
RG: The Twelve SEALs is written for the purpose of informing the public about the alarming statistics connected with human trafficking. In order to accomplish that, I chose to convey this message through a work of fiction to keep the reader’s attention. A book of fiction should entertain; otherwise it would be listed under true crime. The characters in this novel are larger than life heroes. They portray the true character of the Navy SEALs, yet the message is clear, concise, and to the point. Human trafficking is a horrendous act that needs to be dealt with and stopped.
M3: Time for a secret. What is it you would tell me, but probably wish I would keep a secret?
RG: I cannot spell and don’t know how to punctuate. Now before you get the wrong idea, I have a very good assistant that helps me with the editing. One of the few novels that I wrote without any help consisted of one paragraph, and it was a more than 50,000 words. English is not my best subject. I do have this one talent. It seems I am constantly inventing words that do not exist – yet.
M3: In 15 words or less, tell the M3 Readers why they need a copy of your book?
RG: My novels are written to leave readers informed, thoroughly entertained, and wanting more.
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Dear M3 Readers,
Please take a few moments to check out Roger Grubbs and his suspense novel, The Twelve SEALs. You can purchase the ebook or the paperback edition. Visit Grubb’s Dr. Andrew Rogers website to get to know his character a bit better.
Thank you for your continued support to the talented M3 Coffee Shoppe artists.
Red.
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prenin
/ December 21, 2011Interesting man… 🙂
Thanks for the visit and comment Red.
When I die I will be well remembered for all the good I have done and the friends I have made – until then I will spread love wherever I can and make our world just that little bit better…
Love, hugs and Merry Christmas! 🙂
Prenin.
Red
/ December 21, 2011Oh, lovely Pren, you do! Happy Christmas {HUGZ} Red.
Roger
/ December 22, 2011Thanks prenin for your kind comment! We all have Red to thank for her didication to helping our cause. It’s tough getting noticed, especially in fiction. Author interviews are worth their weight in gold. People can really get to know others which gives more meaning to our writings. I want to thank you for stopping by and especially for taking the time to comment. Much gratitude!
Carolyn Arnold
/ December 22, 2011What a pleasure to learn more about you Roger.
Like you I love writing first thing in the morning when everything is fresh. I also love your advice to writers about not expecting to strike it rich quickly, and the fact an author needs to love the craft first and foremost. This is so true. This love and passion is what will keep an author moving toward their dreams.
I also love how you measure success by one satisfied reader at a time. I believe to be successful (and I am just starting out compared to your 30 books 😉 ) you have to look at this way.
As for your books, I will definitely be checking them out. Great success to you.
Red
/ December 22, 2011Welcome, Carol! Glad you stopped by. I feel certain Roger will be along as well. Make yourself at home and drop a link to your blog in the Green Room (very top of the page). Red.
Roger
/ December 22, 2011You know me all too well Red. How could I not stop by when my friends show up with comments like these. If there is one thing I have learned it’s the importance of my peers. Carolyn is certainly an inspiration to me, as I am sure she is to many others. We are not competing with each other, instead working together toward giving indies a valued name among readers. By doing our best we can have one satisfied reader which leads to many more. With that comes much success!
Angela Young
/ December 22, 2011Awesome! (Yes, I over use it.) Can you tell I’m trying to get caught up? I love your interviews and your questions. I also love to meet writers. They facinate me. Mr. Grubbs, I can’t wait to read your book, “The 12 Seals”. Can I ask the significance of that title? It sounds like something out of Revelations. Thanks for sharing yourself with others.
Red
/ December 22, 2011Catch away! And glad you got a peek at the preview! He has so many it is hard to NOT find one to love. Grab your copy of the Greatest Gift of All!
Roger
/ December 22, 2011Revelations is where I got the idea because of the way the mystery unfolds. It is revealed one SEAL at a time until the whole is understood. A don’t want to give away too much, but the twelve Navy SEALs are known as the ‘fierce dozen’ until something went wrong on their final mission. Later the survivors come from retirement to locate Chelsea’s sister, Vanessa. Now being a prisoner of human trafficking she needs their help. The rescue is on and the best are at the task!
Angela Young
/ December 22, 2011Never mind, read the preview on your book, which answered my question 🙂
Roger
/ December 22, 2011No trouble at all. Happy you stopped by and this gave me a chance to add to the preview. Your question got me to thinking. This was in the back of my mind all along. So thanks for bringing it up.
nigelld
/ December 23, 2011Nice to know that you can make it in this business without being a straight ‘A’ student in English. I hope your success continues. Now where’s that Kindle gone.
Nigel
Roger
/ December 23, 2011Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Well I would have to admit if I had it to do over would have payed more attention to the english teachers! LOL. Seriously, my readers would never have known it if big mouth hadn’t told (I am not naming names Red). The stories along with a lot of editing leave my readers very satisfied as a whole. Now find that Kindle! LOL
Red
/ December 23, 2011Roger, this is am important lesson for many who have terrific creative talent, but lack the mechanics. Editors do have a purpose other than just butchering our work until it is unrecognizable.
Roger
/ December 23, 2011So true of editors Red. May we be kinder to them now that we realize they are there to help. A good author should never be offended by constructive critosizm, critizim, oh heck where is the dictionary-criticism. See what I mean?LOL