Mark Rubinstein chatting about "Mad Dog House" (December 3-14)

Please welcome Mark Rubinstein, to discuss his book Mad Dog House. Mark will be chatting through 14 December. Enjoy!

ETA - The chat officially starts tomorrow, but since I'll be on a plane, I'm opening it a bit early.

Thanks!

- Mark Rubinstein, Author, Mad Dog House

Hello! Can you talk a little bit about your influences when writing Mad Dog House?

Hi Mark, I resently read your novel "Mad Dog House" and wrote a review on line expressing how much I enjoy your novel. I've read that we have something common, the love of baseball, which when I was younger played for the love of the game. My question to you is, how did you get involved with writing novels and how hard is it too put your thoughts down on paper so that it makes the reader enjoy the storyline ?

Hi postpubber,

My influences regarding “Mad Dog House” are and have been many. There’s my own background—I grew up in a tough Brooklyn neighborhood where a premium was placed on being “tough.” So I grew up in a milieu that fostered action, courage, and physical prowess. But more than that, I devoured books as a kid, reading at least two or three books a week—mostly action and adventure: Jack London, Edgar Rice Burroughs, comic books, and others. I also loved the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales and eventually, Edgar Allan Poe. Then on to other novels.

I earned a degree in business, went into the army, patched up paratroopers as a medical corpsman, fell in love with medicine and went to medical school. I then became a psychiatrist and learned that every patient has a story to tell. I found myself enthralled with the drama of people’s lives. I went into forensic psychiatry and was exposed to the most traumatic and frightening things that can befall human beings (including having examined more than three hundred survivors of 9/11).

All this coalesced and became part of my mental and emotional landscapes, turning into a story about Roddy Dolan, Danny Burns and Kenny Egan, and the insane journey of “Mad Dog House.”

- Mark Rubinstein, Author, "Mad Dog House"

Hi Gatorhater,

I got involved writing novels in a circuitous way. As a resident in psychiatry, I had to present case histories about interesting patients whose lives sounded like novels. Later, as a physician writing self-help books with co-authors, I honed my writing skills. I always loved hearing and telling stories and dreamt of being a fiction writer. I began some years ago and learned quickly that writing is really rewriting. Like any other skill, you have to work at it to get better. As for appealing to readers: write what you know so it rings true, and above all, never lose sight of the fact that you must tell a good story.

- Mark Rubinstein, Author, "Mad Dog House"

I recent finished your book, which I received through the Early Reviewer program. I'll be writing my review in the next couple days, I'm still letting my thoughts coalesce. I will say it did hit on one of the things that drives me crazy, which are people who feel it's OK to threaten others to get what they want.

Hi readafew,

Thank you for reading.

While I wrote “Mad Dog House” as a suspense/thriller, I also wanted to raise some questions. One is, Do the ends justify the means? Another is, How far will or should a reasonable person go to protect himself and his family? There are other issues the novel raises: Do we ever escape our pasts? Does the past inevitably haunt us in our lives? Does a terrible childhood mean you will inevitably become a depraved adult? What is the meaning of loyalty? Of betrayal? And yes, how do you handle a merciless bully who will stop at nothing to get what he wants?

- Mark Rubinstein, Author, "Mad Dog House"

Hi Mr. Rubinstein,

I am about 1/3 of the way through your book in the kindle edition just starting Chapter 13. After starting it last night (while making Christmas cookies) and then again first thing this morning, I have not even read the weekend paper yet. There is something bad that is going to happen because of that Kenny. I just know it!

Regarding one of your questions from the previous post: "How far will or should a reasonable person go to protect himself and his family?" I believe when it comes to protecting our families we are not always reasonable because love does not come from reason. As for ourselves, there is that preservation instinct that could kick in.

Thank you for writing this book. It draws the reader right in.

Connie

Hi Connie (mamacat509),

Thanks for your comment. I’m quite sure there’s a great deal of truth in your words. It’s very difficult to view someone you love through completely objective or rational eyes. In fact, some people might say that being in love is virtually a delusional state of mind. That being said, the question of how far one will go to protect loved ones depends on your moral point of view: some would say anything goes, while mothers will say there are limits or moral constraints involved-- no matter who you are trying to protect. It’s really an open question. As for the novel, it raises some powerful questions but does not necessarily provide answers.

- Mark Rubinstein, Author, "Mad Dog House"

No, it doesn't provide answers, but it does an excellent job of making one think about the consequences to possible actions one might take.

Thank you, readafew!