Interview with James Rubart - Author of ROOMS & BOOK OF DAYS

I've had the great pleasure of getting to know Jim through ACFW and he is just a stand up guy with a great sense of humor. He took a moment to answer some questions for me so I can help you get to know him and learn about his great book, ROOMS and his upcoming novel, BOOK OF DAYS. (Great title - BOOK OF DAYS - I love it!)

Jaime: ROOMS has been compared to CS Lewis' SCREWTAPE LETTERS, THE SHACK and I even hearkened John Bunyan's PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. How would YOU describe the style of ROOMS?


Jim: Is “I don’t know” an acceptable answer? They say the voice of a writer is their personality on the page and I suppose I’ve been able to capture some of my personality in ROOMS. I found an old high school friend on Facebook recently—one I haven’t talked to in twenty years. She read ROOMS and said it was like sitting with me having a conversation about all the things we used to talk about. So I would say the style of ROOMS is whatever style I am as a person—and the literary ideas that capture my imagination. It’s magic realism and suspense and psychological twists and turns and romance—It’s The Matrix, and It’s a Wonderful Life and C.S. Lewis and The Twilight Zone all mixed together and filtered through my strange way of thinking.

Jaime: If you were in Micah's shoes, would you be content with a 9,000 square foot house - I mean, really - wouldn't 10,000 be more impressive?

Jim: Yeah, what was I thinking? Should have made it ten! In my life I’ve had seasons where I didn’t have to worry about money at all, and times where lean would be a generous description of the financial atmosphere in my household. So I hope I’d be content with a 20,000 square foot home and one that’s 500.

Jaime: What inspired you to write ROOMS and if you could impart one Truth to your reader, what would it be?

Jim: I’ve dreamed of being a novelist since I was a kid but had only dabbled in writing stories until 2003. That’s when God spoke to me with blinding clarity saying, “It’s time to step into the destiny I’ve created for you. Will you take action?” After that I prayed about what idea I should try to turn into a novel. ROOMS was the one I felt He was saying to take on.

One truth? That Jesus is offering an astounding freedom to anyone who wants it.

Jaime: Who was the most difficult character to write and why?

Jim: Getting Rick right was the toughest. He’s my favorite character and he needed to be represented well. It’s tough to say why unless someone has read the book. I don’t want to spoil him for anyone.

Jaime: Have you ever related to Micah's struggle?

Jim: Related to it? I’ve lived it! In many ways Micah’s struggle is my struggle. To throw off the chains that have kept me back from freedom. To throw off the fear that has thwarted God’s calling for me. To choose to step through my fears into the divine design God has invited me into.

Jaime: And now for the most critical question so far: If you could give your own coffee of the day flavor plus description - please include here: :)

Jim: Pralines and Cream coffee with emphasis on the cream and make it hot. It will be sweet, obviously, right on the edge of too sweet, but still with a little bite to it.

Jaime: What's the next great Jim Rubart novel and when does it hit the shelves?

Jim: Book of Days and it's HERE! In fact you can order it right now on Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, etc. Book of Days is the story of a young man who is losing his mind. His only hope is to find the legendary Book of Days, which has recorded the past, present and future of every soul on earth. But he’s not the only one after it.

Jaime: Tell us one of your weirdest quirks that might give us insight into the life and times of Jim Rubart....

Jim: One? I have to limit it to one? Okay, I’ll try. One of my quirks is certain kinds of sounds that drive me nuts. For example, slurping. Makes me want to strangle people. And white noise like my neighbor who runs his leaf blower for six hours on Saturday and five hours on Sunday. (Yes, I like silence.) And people that drive forty miles an hour in the fast lane on the freeway. Wait, that’s not a sound is it? I better stop there.

Jaime: What do you want to be doing in three years?

Jim: Writing and speaking full time. I used to speak at retreats and there is great satisfaction in seeing people hear from God and take the risk to step into a greater glory than they thought possible.

Jaime:Thanks for putting up with my non-conventional questions!
 
Jim: Thanks for having me, Jaime!
 

It's been so much fun getting to know Jim and see the heart he has to reach his readers with messages designed to draw us closer to our Creator, magnify our view of what He wants to accomplish in our lives, and Jim's straightforward genuine care for his readers and friends.
 
Check out Jim's book ROOMS on Amazon or BOOK OF DAYS available NOW!!!
 
(Look at that cheesy smile of mine - I wasn't excited to meet Jim or anything - nope - not at all - sheesh, Jaime).