Pump Up Chats with Robert Nelson, author of “Realize Real Eyez Real Liez”

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Robert Nelson

Robert Nelson was born and raised in Garner, North Carolina where he earned the connections and street credibility needed to bring a sense of authenticity to his work. Consequentially, this lead to his stay in the luxurious NC-DOC where through a lot of retrospection he developed a strategy to defeat what he had become. Through the guidance of the Aryan Brotherhood and the variety of other hardened criminals he played cards with he focused his energy into developing his skills as a writer to keep the youth from making the same mistakes he did. If he can open just one pair of eyes through his writing, everything he’s put into these pages would have paid off.

Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

I wrote Real Eyez Realize Real Liez during my stay in the luxurious NC Department of Corrections. Where I witnessed a multitude of smart and talented young men throwing large chunks of their life away trying to live the way the Rappers tell us to. The “Gangsta” lifestyle is costing us more and more of our children as the Urban Sub-Culture spreads out of the ghettos and into our very homes via music and media. Through the lessons I inscribed across the pages of Real Eyez I hope to educate as many young men and women as I can. So they won’t have to suffer the way I had to learn the error of their ways. If I can open just one pair of eyes… My work will have been a success.

Q: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

In all honesty, the revision and grammatical corrections proved to be the most difficult along with the other various trials and tribulations a Self-Published Author must face. I scribbled out a brief outline and then challenged myself to write at least one chapter by hand every single day. Thirty one days later, I had the completed rough draft in my hand. The words seemed to just pour out of me as I channeled my angst, stress and longing for home into the pages.

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

The message is about Pride, not about Hate. The tiniest raindrop still raises the sea, and with a strong enough desire to succeed, anyone can change the World.

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

I began writing poetry at the beginning of my sentence as a way to vent the stress and pass the time in such a hostile environment. Before long my poems and short stories were being passed around between friends back home. It was sometime later before I came across a mentor in the Aryan Brotherhood, and my focus turned to utilizing my talent to affect real change in the outside World.

Q: What’s the most frustrating thing about becoming a published author and what’s the most rewarding?

The most frustrating aspect of my career in writing thus far is drumming up publicity. It’s aggravating when you know you have a dynamite book that you know people would adore if they ever got the opportunity to scan the pages, but they can’t buy it if they don’t know about it. The most rewarding aspect is being able to send my book back to the inmates who supported me and advocated my work during my bid. I’ve never had a negative complaint about Real Eyez Realize Real Liez… Never.

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

The most critical lesson I can offer is not to think TOO hard when trying to round off the edges of your plot and characters. By over-concentrating you will think yourself into a corner. When this happens just fall back and take a breather. Sometimes inspiration is lurking in the oddest and most unrecognizable places.

Q: Would you like to tell us about your home life? Where you live? Family? Pets?

I currently reside with my loving and supportive parents, along with my angel of a girlfriend and our beloved Puppers: Dee-Dee, Peaches and Sonya. My Father is a Senior Java Architect with Oracle Microsystems and my Mother has been a Teacher’s Assistant right here in Garner, NC for well over a decade. My sister lives on-campus over at UNC-Chapel Hill on her way to a Museum Curatorship in the not too distant future.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I spend a plethora of hours every day in front of my laptop. It’s my place of focus and Zen, but I like to peruse the land around my house and sometimes venture through the surrounding neighborhoods lost in my own little World.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

I generally go into my backyard and go all UFC with my rascally dogs. I work hard and then we play hard. It’s never too dark or too rainy to go wrestle in the yard.

Q: Were you the kind of child who always had a book in her/his hand?

Haha, it’s funny you ask. KA Applegate consumed my entire Universe until the fifth grade or so. School always came easy to me, so I spent as much time as I could with my nose in an Animorphs book.

Q: Can you remember your favorite book?

I’m sure almost anyone would say it’s so difficult to choose. I’ve re-read White Fang and Battle Dragon numerous times over the years. I can’t say I have a favorite, but I know a few that I never get tired of.

Q: Do you remember writing stories when you were a child?

My first foray into the Literary Universe was actually re-writing an episode of Xena Warrior Princess, that I had just watched with my Mom and Sister. Utilizing what limited vocabulary and historical knowledge I had at my disposal; I tried to recall the entire episode from memory. Naturally, the rewritten script came out extremely abbreviated, but I was proud of it nonetheless.

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

I pounded the pavement as much as I could with a copy of my book in hand, approaching friends, relatives, old high school acquaintances and even members of a fairly notorious local motorcycle club. Most people in my various circles won’t go the extra mile to order a book online with a credit card. So I found it far easier to order Author Copies and retail them directly on the street.

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

Yes, definitely. My girl and I share a Facebook page and I moderate a page on Goodreads.com from time to time. Any particular outlets I’m not familiar with would only be a small matter to access and utilize.

Q: How do you think book promotion has changed over the years?

As Tracee at Pump Up Your Book made especially clear; the book industry is quickly going digital. Considering people are ordering the majority of their books online, the only logical next step is to base your marketing on the digital frontier to reach the maximum possible audience.

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

For more wishes of course! If there was Genie fine-print involved, then I would ask to be eternally happy… That way it didn’t matter what you did or didn’t have. You’d always be content with what you had at the moment.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

Ireland most likely, because there is little to no technology in the green rolling countryside. Life may be slightly less convenient, but the tranquility and peace of mind would make figuratively rubbing two sticks together to make fire that much more worth it.

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

Firstly, I’d thank all of my Fans and the continuing support they have blessed me with throughout this crusade we are pursuing together. Secondly, the Lord above, because only through his will do we succeed. Then my Family would definitely come next, and those closest to me that have stuck by my side through the thick and thin. Last but not least, I’d extend a personal thanks to Tracee Gleichner and the Pump Up Your Book Staff for helping me get my foot in the door, and letting me drink from their endless cauldron of marketing expertise to bring Real Eyez Realize Real Liez from a dream to reality.

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach