1. Tell us a little about yourself:
Author Rick Lauber wrote A Caregivers guide for Canadians and shares his story with us at The Authors Porch.
After pursuing several careers (including radio broadcasting, bartending, retail management, and marketing …), I consider myself a “communications expert”. I am somewhat of a “late bloomer” to writing (odd as my parents always greatly appreciated both reading and writing).
Like my mother and father, I also valued reading and writing and enjoyed writing projects when growing up (interestingly, several of my career choices included some aspect of writing as well, but I didn’t take the idea of pursuing writing seriously for many years although many did tell me I had a knack for it).
When learning that a Professional Writing program was offered through a local University, I was intrigued and motivated to register for classes.
I’ve now completed that program and am now doing my best to make up for lost time!
Since graduating from that course, I’ve become a twice-published author, a twice-selected story contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul, and an established freelance writer.
Writing is something I find both enjoyable and fulfilling.
Away from the keyboard, I enjoy walking, playing pool, visiting the mountains, and going to movies and football games (pre-COVID-19, that is …). I am one of three children in my family – I have an older and a younger sister.
2. Why Do you write?
I have found that writing can provide an excellent means for sharing, teaching, helping others, and coping. Sharing, teaching, and helping others through writing should require no explanation (and I find doing so very rewarding). Coping, however, may need further clarification … I found that writing about sensitive issues (I wrote about caregiving for my aging parents) was easier to do than speaking with others about these matters.
Writers, typically, are more private individuals and I am no exception. Writing proved to be personally therapeutic and allowed me to vent without bottling things up inside me.
The act of writing provided a healthy release for me. When caregiving, if I didn’t find an effective means of managing mounting stress and other challenges, I feel I may have exploded. Writing gave me that outlet.
3. What genre do you write and Why did you pick this genre?
I write non-fiction. I’ve always heard that writing from one’s experience is a good place to start and would definitely agree. By writing about what they know or have personally experienced, writers/authors can reduce the amount of extensive research and establish themselves as experts in a specific area.
I’ve also found that writing factually can be easier for me than trying to dream up a creative story from a verbal or visual prompt. Writing factually has also given me many opportunities to interview others for their expertise and input – I’ve learned much by doing so and expanded my professional circle.
4. Tell us about your book. I have two published books:
Caregiver’s Guide for Canadians and The Successful Caregiver’s Guide (the second book is for American readers). Both are valuable resources for prospective, new, and current caregivers (those helping and supporting a loved one at some level …) and discuss what to expect as a caregiver, how to best manage, and where to find help.
In both books, I share some of my own personal caregiving stories as well as discuss numerous caregiving issues – these will be relevant to caregivers no matter where they live or what health condition they are dealing with.
Sample chapters in both books include “Caring from a Distance”, “Finding and Moving Your Parent Into Suitable Accommodations”, “Working with Other Family Members and Maintaining Harmony”, “Taking a Break”, and “Finding Joy in Caregiving”.
Many readers have commented that my books provide a realistic, practical, and supportive approach to caregiving as a timely and topical issue. Rosalyn Carter likely said it best when she explained, “You have either been a caregiver, You are a caregiver, You will be a caregiver, Or someone will care for you.”
5. How much time do you dedicate to your author career?
I often dedicate three to four serious hours per day to writing, researching, interviewing for articles, and/or promoting my written work. Thanks to COVID-19, I now have more time available and can often stretch my working time longer.
This time is usually earlier in the day when I find I have more energy and better focus … I am certainly no night owl! I feel that writers at all levels need to dedicate time to their work so as to take themselves more seriously.
6. How long on average does it take you to write your books?
Considering I was given tight deadlines for both my books, I had about six months to complete each manuscript for submission (talk about good motivation!).
Publishers don’t always require such quick writing from contributing authors. With more generous submission deadlines, however, writers/authors may stall on their work – I personally preferred the tighter turnaround time to keep me moving and on track.
7. What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?
Certainly hiring a lawyer to review my book publishing contracts. I knew of a few potential contract roadblocks but wanted to ensure I was getting the best deal and the most protection and a lawyer with related publishing knowledge and experience was my best choice.
The lawyer read through my offered contracts, ensured all the “I’s” were dotted and “T’s” were crossed correctly, and explained what points of the contract could – and should – be negotiated (I wasn’t aware that book publishers often include some “wiggle room” in contracts and can often revise or remove questionable points).
Additionally, I also paid to register in my University’s writing program which got me started towards a writing career. Other worthwhile writing-related expenses include hiring a website designer, registering to exhibit at numerous seniors’ trade shows and conferences, and creating business cards – doing these helped build my image, increased my credibility as an author, and resulted in further book sales.
8. What is the most difficult part of being an author?
Author Rick Lauber – A Caregivers Guide for Canadians shares the difficulties in writing.
Probably promoting my own written work! Like many other writers/authors, I consider myself somewhat introverted so self-promotion can be challenging (but it does get easier with practice – I have also spent some time with Toastmasters to help improve my public speaking skills and to build confidence with “selling” myself).
Author Rick Lauber – A Caregivers Guide for Canadians being interviewed.
COVID-19 has also become a serious deterrent. I used to be a regular visitor at bookstores to do author signings; however, I have been unable to do so for about a year and a half! Therefore, I have had to look for other means of marketing myself and my work.
Another challenge has to be working alone. Writing can be a solitary profession but writers can certainly benefit from socialization and hearing feedback from others. The good thing is that with more practice, self-promotion can become easier for writers/authors. I can still be nervous prior to reaching out to a new contact or making a public appearance, but have successfully pushed myself to do so and have greatly increased my own self-confidence.
9. What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?
The worst thing you’ll hear is “no”. A woman I know has dreams of writing her own book. She has put considerable time and effort into the project so far but has been nervous to seek out and pitch a book publisher on her idea.
After several phone conversations with me, I’ve finally convinced her to reach out – explaining that “you’ll never know what might happen” and “it would be greatly disappointing to simply keep your work to yourself”.
I’m pleased to share that she has pitched her book project to a publisher and she is now awaiting a response. I could also recommend joining a writer’s group (a group that physically meets on a regular basis is best, but during the pandemic, an online writer’s group can prove to be a good – and safer – alternative).
Meeting with others who understand writing as a craft can be greatly helpful and motivational. As a long-standing member of a local writer’s group myself, I found our monthly lunches fun and supportive before, during, and following my own book authoring.
It was good to talk about writing with others who understood writing and many of my fellow group members also often prodded me to continue with my project when I needed it!
10. What is your favorite book?
I’ve always liked “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien. My father routinely read stories out loud to me and my sisters when we were young and included this book on his list (also Charles Dickens, Robert Louis Stevenson, Lewis Carroll, and others) … as I recall, it was one of my favorites! When I was young, I was fascinated by Tolkien’s make-believe world but now I can much better appreciate his amazing story-telling ability.