Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing short stories, songs, poems, and articles my whole life, but I just recently came out with my first novel. I graduated from college with a degree in English Literature in 2015, and I started writing Extraordinary Girl shortly after. Outside of writing, I am a 7th grade Language Arts teacher and journalist for The Runner Sports.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Extraordinary Girl. I felt compelled to write it after a breakup when my friend gave me the advice to stop kicking myself for believing in someone. Writing this novel was a journey through which I traveled on an emotional rollercoaster to try to explore the ups and downs of relationships and humanity. When it comes down to it, I felt like our experiences with other people are essentially narratives we are all writing. I wanted to take the opportunity to capture that idea in my story. My hope is that this is a novel to which people can relate. I hope people can find some of themselves in the narrative, and I hope readers can take something away from it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in the dark. I turn off all the lights, my phone, and write with only the light from the computer screen illuminating the keyboard. It limits distractions and helps me focus entirely on what I want to write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am influenced by John Green. His humor and light style of writing concerning heavier topics help convey messages to broad audiences. When an author’s work can be equally enjoyed by teenagers and adults, that defines success in writing.
What are you working on now?
I am working on two projects. I am working on a collection of poems spanning a long time frame of writing. My second novel, Unrequited, is in the infant stages of outlining. It is a young adult novel based around Jamie, a high school senior who never feels satisfied with what she has. No matter what, Jamie always feels like something is missing. The book goes through her journey of trying to figure out what is important in her life and what it means to feel fulfilled.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website is robwegley.com. I use it to market my book, Extraordinary Girl, now on sale on Amazon.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Don’t overthink your craft initially; you can come back and look at that later. Get your ideas onto paper and see what comes out. You can create something beautiful. You can make it technically sound later.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Allow yourself to be vulnerable. There are a lot of demands on people to act a certain way or convey a certain image; that doesn’t need to be the reality. Vulnerability allows for true art.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading “The Rule of Mirrors” by Caragh M. O’Brien. It’s a good, young adult read that is psychologically thrilling.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to continue my work on Unrequited. I am pushing for a January 2018 release.
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?
100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Brave New World by George Orwell, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut.
Author Websites and Profiles
Rob Wegley Website
Rob Wegley Amazon Profile
Rob Wegley’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account