Interview with novelist Ron Doades

Today I’m hosting Ron Doades as he tours his self-improvement book (written with Susan Sloate) Realizing You.

Ron will be awarding one $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card to a lucky commentor during the virtual tour. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:

Ron Doades is president of Ronald Doades & Company, a consulting firm that, since 1977, has helped the people of large and mid-size energy companies improve their individual and corporate performance results by learning from the best-practice experiences of others. A popular speaker on the topic of managing change for optimal results, he holds an MBA from Columbia University and an MS in Psychology from The New School in New York City. Visit him at www.realizingyoubook.com

Susan Sloate is the author of twenty published books, including Stealing Fire, a #2 Amazon bestseller and Quarter-Finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest, and Forward to Camelot (authored with Kevin Finn), which in its first edition was a #6 Amazon bestseller, took honors in 3 literary competitions and was optioned for film by a Hollywood production company. She lives in Mount Pleasant, SC. Visit her online at http://susansloate.com.

Please tell us a little bit about Realizing You:

Meet Robby Aihn, the newest star in the self-help universe and author of the runaway bestseller, Realizing You, now struggling with his first taste of fame. Though his five principles for good living are changing other people’s lives, his own life is starting to fall apart. When Robby stages a lavish self-help conference in Dallas, he attracts others with their own secrets: his estranged wife and unhappy teenage daughter; the businessman pursuing his own agenda; the all-star pitcher facing the end of his career; and the shy co-author Robby never acknowledged, who is searching for meaning in her own life. Join Robby and the others on their journey toward understanding and fulfillment, in this truly novel approach to changing YOUR life.

Excerpt from Realizing You:

Liz had ordered forty cartons of shiny new hardcover copies of the book delivered for the signing, and guests had been told they were welcome to bring their own copies as well. Robby would sit in the ballroom where they’d had dinner and sign them. It was their opportunity to meet him personally, which for some people was the real reason they’d come, and the moment they’d been waiting for.

Liz, Robby, Marie, and Sophie waited until the ballroom cleared. Then the hotel staff assigned to the breakdown shut the doors and went to work. The staff had twenty minutes to clear the tables, roll them out of the way, and set up a signing table for Robby, who had done successful book signings all over the country. This would be a snap, even if all twelve hundred guests wanted their books autographed.

Liz watched the hotel staff efficiently clearing the tables and felt the tightly-wound spring inside her begin to loosen. “Just this one event left,” she said.

Robby beamed at her while avoiding Marie’s eyes. “It went well, didn’t it?”

“Perfect,” Liz told him, glancing from him to Marie. Marie wasn’t looking at him, either.

Liz sighed and looked discouraged.

Sophie noticed it, too. Her blue-eyed gaze traveled from her mother to her father and back again. Her smile dimmed and faded. She stared down at the ground, all her sparkle fizzled out.

“Excuse me,” said a shy voice coming from the slightly opened door behind them, and Liz turned to face what’s-her-name, the mousy woman who’d helped Robby—Maura? Jane?

“Hello, Ellen!” Marie’s greeting was extra-cordial and extra loud, as though to be sure Robby heard her. “Did you have fun at dinner?”

Ellen came toward them in a drab blue dress, but where yesterday her eyes had been wary, tonight they were bright, and she gave Marie a genuine smile.

“Oh, it was wonderful. I’ve never sat on a dais before.”

“I thought it was appropriate,” Marie said to Robby, not troubling to lower her voice, so the nearby hotel staff heard. “And Liz managed it all, even though we didn’t know Ellen was coming til yesterday. Liz took care of her hotel and tickets and everything. Thank you so much,” she said sweetly to Liz, who turned beet-red. Robby glared at Marie. “I only wish,” Marie went on, “that Ellen could sit next to you at the book signing.”

Everyone looked at Robby.

“Excuse me,” he said abruptly. “I forgot my—uh—gold pen—in my room. Better go get it before the signing.”

And he left, hardly glancing at Ellen, never acknowledging her presence, and pointedly ignoring Marie.

Sophie looked pleadingly at her mother. “Mom?”

“He’s impossible,” Marie said through her teeth. “I don’t know how we lasted this long.”

What is your favorite television show?

I don’t watch much TV, but I always make sure to watch Homeland. For me, it packages intrigue, romance, conflict, interesting characters, really good actors, fascinating relations, and a very important current topic, all into one series. I either watch or tape every episode, and excitedly look forward to watching and being absorbed in each one.

What is something you’ve lied about?

I lie occasionally about my age, mostly by omission, by letting people think I’m much younger than I am. I like feeling and acting much younger, so that type of lying is okay with me, as long I am not harming others in any way.

Who is the last person you hugged?

My son, who just left my apartment after sleeping over. I will be quick to add that I am a big-time hugger. I look for excuses to hug people, perhaps as a result of being raised in a rural community in Indiana, where the American gothic was too alive and well. No spontaneous touching and, certainly, no spontaneous hugging. So, I can’t get enough hugging. I even hug total strangers at sporting events. If you, the reader of this, were here in my presence, you had better keep your distance if you don’t want to be on the receiving end of a friendly and sincere hug.

What is the story of your first kiss?

I kissed the little girl I really liked in the first grade. It was just quick, hastily delivered kiss on the school playground. I had a crush on her all through the 12 years of school. But, I never got the opportunity to deliver another kiss. She had her first, and only, boyfriend in the eighth grade, ending up marrying him, and still staying married. My first kiss has mixed memories attached to it; but, we all went on to happy lives.

Do you have a crush on anyone?

Yes, I mentioned that crush in response to the last question. It hasn’t changed since that response. My grade school hoped-for girlfriend, who eluded even my smallest hopes—only another little hasty kiss. In reflection, I think I learned an important life lesson from that experience—vigorously pursue your dreams, but if you don’t realize them, move on with your life, and don’t look back with any regrets.

Thank you, Ron!

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