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Back to Featured Interviews >> MEET SUSAN GOLDMAN RUBIN, Keynote Speaker 2009
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| Susan Goldman Rubin |
I liked to "play pretend." I'd make up stories and act them out. Or make up stories with paper dolls. And I also loved to draw. I had a cigar box full of crayons that were very precious to me. I can still see them. I listened to the radio a lot and, of course, read. When I was old enough I walked to the library every Friday after school to borrow books and return the ones I had finished reading.
What books influenced you most when you were growing up?
Books set in England such as the Mary Poppins series, then TENNIS SHOES, BALLET SHOES, the series by Noel Streatfield, and Jane Eyre. The literary world of England seemed an ideal place to me as I grew up in the Bronx. I greatly enjoyed humor and the books by Cornelia Otis Skinner. I also loved books about ballerinas and any biographies that gave me rolemodels. And, of course, the Nancy Drew mysteries. I loved those even though I had no idea what a "roadster" was. In those days most women, including my mother, did not drive, especially in New York City. I must also mention that I adored books about big families such as "Cheaper by the Dozen." And one of the most memorable was "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" which I gave to my own daughter when she was 11 or 12.
Did you write stories when you were growing up at school or at home, or did you ever have moments when you decided that you were going to be a writer when you grew up?
No. I had no thoughts about being a writer. I wanted to be an artist and illustrate children's books.
What did you most like to do when you were a child?
I liked to "play pretend." I'd make up stories and act them out. Or make up stories with paper dolls. And Ialso loved to draw. I had a cigar box full of crayons that were very precious to me. I can still see them. I listened to the radio a lot and, of course, read. When I was old enough I walked to the library every Friday after school to borrow books and return the ones I had finished reading.
When you went to college, were you already pursuing a writing or illustrating career, or just studying art in general?
I was an English major because my parents thought that studying studio art would be a "waste" for me since Iwas such a good student. What a pity. However, Iloved my classes and did an independent studies program. I had dreams of getting a scholarship and going to Cambridge for graduate work. Yet I still hoped to illustrate children's books and had an assignment from a librarian while I was at college.
Since you didn't write as a child, then when did you start writing and what inspired you to start?
I started writing because I had nothing to illustrate. I got married the day I graduated college and woundup in a suburb of Los Angeles with 2 little children and not enough money to go to New York and show what I thought was a portfolio. So I started writing my own stories to give me something to illustrate that I could submit to editors. I wrote everyday stories about family life because that seemed to be what interested my young children the most.
What audience did you have in mind when you did decide on a career as a writer?
Definitely children. I planned to have 5 and do my work at home while raising them. It never occurred to me how much work would be involved in both careers. I wound up with 4 children of my own and 2 stepchildren.
How soon after that was your first book published?
It took 5 years to get my first book published. I experienced a number of rejections that were very helpful. Each editor who took the time to give me comments told me something that made the story stronger. I learned by doing. It took 5 years to get my first book published and that was 1976, The book stayed in print for 20 years!
What are the topics of some of your books?
During these past few years I have focused on non-fiction, especially Judaica themes and fine art. I deeply love art and want to share that pleasure with children. It's a joy to research the stories behind paintings that I love and understand more about them myself. And to present those stories in an entertaining yet accurate way.
Do you prefer writing fiction or nonfiction? Do you find one easier to write than the other?
I find non-fiction easier than fiction. I've written a couple of middle grade novels and some YA mysteriesbut I most enjoy telling other people's true life stories rather than making up my own.
Have any of your books earned special recognition?
Yes, Just about all of my books have earned awards and honors. That amazes me and is so thrilling.
Do you enjoy researching or do you prefer working totally from your imagination?
I LOVE research! Sometimes it's hard to stop researching and start writing. But then I go back and look up more information that I need for a particular chapter or section. I especially like to do primary research--that is, talking to people, interviewing in person or by phone and email, reading newspapers, diaries, letters, and going through archives rather than just rehashing what someone else has already written.
Do you work on more than one book at a time?
Yes. It works out that way in the area of nonfiction. For instance, today I received a second set of layouts for a book that I've writtten which will be published in spring 2007. I have to go over the layouts to check for changes and corrections. Meanwhile, I've submitted a new manuscript that I hope will be published, and I'm in the middle of working on another biography that is already under contract. I'll go over the first draft with my editor and follow upwith revisions. Then there are another few books due out in 2007 that I will have to work on in the nextcouple of months--writing captions, and so on.
Which of your books did you most enjoy writing?
I love them all. I'm usually most excited about the one that I'm writing and trying to sell.
What are you working on now? When do you expect to start submitting it to publishers?
I'm working on a biography of a great musician and another about an important American artist. But Idon't want to say more for fear of jinxing the projects.
Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?
I usually work every day, even a bit on the weekends. It helps me to stay in touch with my material. I'm amorning person so I start after breakfast, take a brief pause for lunch at home, then back to it. By 4 pm I'm usually winding down and running out of steam. Then I make phone calls, go to the gym to work out and fix dinner. I don't like to work at night.
When is your next book going to be in book stores?
My new book ANDY WARHOL: POP ART PAINTER is just out and now in book stores. Another new book HAYMSALOMON: AMERICAN PATRIOT is due out in spring 2007, also EDWARD HOPPER: PAINTER OF LIGHT AND SHADOW.
Do you like to include humor in your stories or adventure or mystery?
All of the above! These elements are terribly important in writing nonfiction to keep the narrative lively and engaging while accurate.
Do you have a fan letter that you would like to share?
Yes. Just today I received a most gratifying letter from a 7th grader in Teaneck, New Jersey, who readTHE CAT WITH THE YELLOW STAR: COMING OF AGE IN TEREZIN, a book I co-authored with Ela Weissberger,a survivor of Terezin and the Holocaust. The student said she was so touched by Ela's story that she wants Ela to be her subject for a school project on tolerance and friendship. And this girl is notJewish--she's African American. I can't tell you how moved I was to receive her note.
Is there anything about yourself that you'd like to share?
I love movies as much as I love reading. Every day I need a story before I can go to sleep.