Member Spotlight: Rick Rouse

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Writing is a way to share insights and information about a particular issue. It is a way to tell stories about life and people that can offer inspiration and encouragement to others. Writing is a way to communicate experiences, new ideas, and different perspectives that enrich multiple generations.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? I try to find inspiration in various sources. Sometimes it is doing research, reading new sources. Sometimes it is playing inspirational music. Sometimes it is chatting with a fellow author and sharing ideas.

What is your favorite time to write? Normally I am most energized to write in the morning. Though once I am on a roll, I can go late into the afternoon. I like to take a break from writing in the evening.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? Write what you are passionate about. Write what you know about. Seek out others who have the same passion, interest, and experience.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? There are so many ways to communicate your message today–through the printed word, digital and audio formats. In addition, there is a myriad of ways to promote one’s work, especially using social media.

Rick Rouse’s A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream is out now with Chalice Press.