Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My Name is Rob Rando, I was born in Long Island, NY then transplanted here to Cleveland, Ohio when I was three years old. I’ve been a Clevelander for 27 years now and currently reside in a modest home with my beautiful Colombian Wife Gisela. Recently, we adopted two adorable 9-year-old Chiuahahs named Thelma and Louise. Life is good.
I’ve always called myself an approachable introvert as I like people and conversations, but really enjoy my alone time. Before I started writing books I would spend a lot of time journaling and trying to answer my own questions. That’s how I come up with some of my book ideas, I would see patterns in my writing and new they were problems that needed to be solved.
So far I’ve written 2 books, and working on a third one that’s going to be a bit more robust. I’m starting to see some momentum so I’m very excited to continue on this journey.
If that’s not impressive enough, I am currently as the 43,000 on Amazon’s Author Rank. Thanks, Amazon!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of the last book I wrote was called “What Should I Do Next? The 6 most important questions to find Career Clarity, Growth, and Fulfillment”.
I was inspired because of the challenges I was feeling at work. I was put into a new position with a lot more responsibility (pressure) and a quota that was 100x more than any of my previous roles.
With this new challenge I wanted to step up and exceed expectations, but I didn’t want to do it in a way where I was grinding myself to dust. I hate the mindset that we should grind until we can’t breathe. I believe that our careers are an important part of life, so I set out to uncover questions that could help people find clarity at work.
The idea is to be happy with what you do. If not, you should take a step back and figure out what makes you happy.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Right now, I pretty much just try to hit it at the same time early in the morning. I like to journal a bit before I get into writing because I think it helps to clear the residue. Nothing that unusual though.
I wish I could say that I have some really unique writing habits, maybe if I become a more well-known author I’ll invent some interesting quirks.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are really so many books that have impacted me. The list of authors below is from authors of books I’ve read recently and just think “Wow, that’s a good writer”.
Robert Greene
George Orwell
Cal Newport
Neil Gaiman
Celeste NG
Dan Brown…
What are you working on now?
Right now I am on the research stage for my next book. I have a thesis that I am trying to prove or disprove before I get real serious on my draft. Other than that, I am continuing to build up my blog and website.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is an area that must be learned and cultivated. Being a new writer, I hate self-promotion but I will share my work with friends and family. The ones that get excited about it will share it which helps with velocity.
I don’t have the answers yet. I may be naive, but I also think that writing is a long game. You don’t just get found, you have to make the effort to connect and help people.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Repetition makes an impression. The more you practice writing, the better you will get at it. This is obvious advice.
Also, when you are writing learn to force yourself to remove distractions. This includes staying present with the moments of un-comfort within your writing sessions.
For example, when you have a word document opened and you are feeling bored/stuck its tempting to jump onto a website to distract yourself, instead stick with that feeling. That’s where the magic comes. When we are able to sit with the pain of writer’s block, we learn how to get through it with our own capabilities.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do what makes you happy.
What are you reading now?
Mastery by Robert Greene
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on a 3rd book that is going to be my most ambitious project yet. It’s about a question that I’ve had for a long time and I think it’s going to help a lot of people.
My goal is to have a completed draft by Jan 2020.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
1984 by George Orwell
Harry Potter and the Prison of Askaban (Book 3) by JK Rowling
Also, a book on “How to survive and thrive on a Desert Island”…
Author Websites and Profiles
Rob Rando Website
Rob Rando Amazon Profile