Ask the Author: Michael H. Rubin
Answered Questions (4)
Michael H. Rubin
The protagonist, itinerant peddler Jake Gold, was very loosely inspired by my great-grandfather, a Russian immigrant who left home at the age of twelve to escape the pogroms and who, when he finally made it to America, started life here as an itinerant peddler.
Jake Gold’s adventures, however, are not those of my great-grandfather. Jake is a purely fictional character. On the other hand, many of scenes and conflicts depicted in the novel are firmly based on actual historical events.
Jake Gold’s adventures, however, are not those of my great-grandfather. Jake is a purely fictional character. On the other hand, many of scenes and conflicts depicted in the novel are firmly based on actual historical events.
Michael H. Rubin
The best advice I’ve ever received is the one all fledging writers get but find hard to put into practice – show, don’t tell. A novel isn’t a textbook. A novel isn’t a history lesson. A novel isn’t a rushed outline. A novel shouldn’t be dry and pedantic. A novel should be so compelling that readers feel as if they are completely “in” the story, not outside of it.
Michael H. Rubin
Legal training helps one analyze complex matters and organize them in a coherent manner. That's invaluable for any novelist. But, lawyers who are novelists must "unlearn" what is called "good legal writing," which usually means writing using lots of legal terms and jargon.
Lawyer/novelists must write clearly, succinctly, and in ways that draw the reader in. "The Cottoncrest Curse" is a legal thriller, and my legal training was invaluable in understanding and setting forth some of the legal issues that drive the story, which this month's Chicago CBA Record's review describes as a "page-turning thriller."
It is very gratifying to write a legal thriller that others enjoy, and I'm pleased that Publishers Weekly calls "The Cottoncrest Curse" a "gripping debut mystery.
Lawyer/novelists must write clearly, succinctly, and in ways that draw the reader in. "The Cottoncrest Curse" is a legal thriller, and my legal training was invaluable in understanding and setting forth some of the legal issues that drive the story, which this month's Chicago CBA Record's review describes as a "page-turning thriller."
It is very gratifying to write a legal thriller that others enjoy, and I'm pleased that Publishers Weekly calls "The Cottoncrest Curse" a "gripping debut mystery.
Michael H. Rubin
I’ve almost finished polishing up “Privilege,” a contemporary thriller written in the film noir tradition. “Privilege” is about a laconic loner whom everyone is after as dead bodies keep piling up. It will be in final form shortly, ready for publishers to see.
“Privilege” is about - - - - well, here’s an excerpt from the prologue to give you a taste of what’s in store:
“Have I become a failure as a lawyer? You bet. While others were climbing up the ladder, I fell off of it.
“I’ve got a broken-down office, a failed marriage, and a past-due mortgage note.
“Until three weeks ago, I had no clients.
“Well, no clients to speak of, except G.G. Guidry.
“But now G.G. Guidry has been murdered.
“And until three weeks ago, I had no money.
“Except for the $4,452,737 in cash G.G. left with me for safekeeping.”
“Privilege” is about - - - - well, here’s an excerpt from the prologue to give you a taste of what’s in store:
“Have I become a failure as a lawyer? You bet. While others were climbing up the ladder, I fell off of it.
“I’ve got a broken-down office, a failed marriage, and a past-due mortgage note.
“Until three weeks ago, I had no clients.
“Well, no clients to speak of, except G.G. Guidry.
“But now G.G. Guidry has been murdered.
“And until three weeks ago, I had no money.
“Except for the $4,452,737 in cash G.G. left with me for safekeeping.”
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