The Perspiring Writer Magazine

Q: Bob, what did you study in high school and college? What were your favorite subjects?

A: They were - and still are - science, especially chemistry, physics, and biology.

Q: How did you get into copywriting, Bob?

A: I majored in chemical engineering in college and have a B.S. from the University of Rochester.

When corporate recruiters interviewed me on campus, they discovered my strong interest in writing. 

(I was on the college newspaper and magazine). 

A couple offered me positions as a staff writer, and I took one.

My first job out of college was as a junior marketing communications writer with Westinghouse. This was in 1979, and my salary was $18,500.

After only 18 months, a manufacturer of process equipment offered me a position as advertising manager for a lot more money -- $27,000 - and I took it. (While I have never been driven primarily by money, I had student loans to pay back.)

Q: How did that lead to freelancing?

A: Corporate life was not for me. I did too many things - going to endless meetings and managing our trade shows are two that come immediately to mind - that I had no interest in.

So I asked myself, "What part of my job do I like best, and can I do it freelance?" The answer was copywriting, and as I discovered, I could.

Q: What else didn't you like about corporate life? Bad bosses? Low pay? Office politics? Commuting?

A: I had great bosses, one of whom I am still good friends with today, almost 3 decades later.

I now earn more than 30 times the salary I made in my first corporate job, but I had no complaints about my pay back then ... as I said, I've never been money oriented.

Office politics at both places were at a low to medium-low level, so they were tolerable.

I hate commuting, but always lived close to work. So my commutes were minimal.

Q: At what age did you start to work?

A: I got my first full-time adult job, at Westinghouse, upon graduating from the University of Rochester in 1979 at age 21. I had a summer job every summer vacation. I also worked part-time as a dishwasher in the cafeteria throughout college.

My first summer job was clean-up and counter service at a swim club snack stand. I was 12 years old, and I earned $1.25 an hour.

Q: Where did you grow up? Have you lived in other places? Are you well-traveled?

A: I was born and went to elementary school in Paterson, NJ. I have lived in New Jersey most of my life, outside of a year in Maryland while working at Westinghouse and a few years in Manhattan, on East 81st Street.

I am not well-traveled, although I have traveled on business (mainly to give seminars) to Germany, Poland, South Korea, England, Canada, France, Italy, and a few other places.

In point of fact, I dislike travel. I don't like airplanes (it's not fear - I just find the whole flying experience unpleasant). I don't like hotels, preferring to sleep in my own bed.

The bottom line is I'd rather be home. If that makes me shallow or unadventurous, so be it.

Q: Are you a vegetarian? Do you smoke or drink?

A: I do eat red meat if it is served to me, but I rarely cook or order it: I prefer vegetables, pasta, rice, beans, fruit, chicken, and fish.

I love chopped liver, and since Dr. Al Sears says we need to eat organ meat, I treat myself to it every once in a while.

I do not smoke, and I only have a couple of beers on the weekends, my favorites being Guinness Stout and Taddy Porter.

Q: What are the most important things in your life?

A: First is family: my kids, wife, sister, and mother. Then helping other people improve their lives or their businesses through my writing.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I work 12 hours a day, so after that and spending time with my family, I don't have a lot of time or energy to invest in other interests.

I do think I should have a hobby, but nothing that I can realistically do calls strongly to me. I like to read, and I do have some other interests: music, nature, and learning new things.

I have a big 92-gallon aquarium and a large comic book collection. If I could be any comic book superhero, it would be the Flash - perhaps because I am a slow runner. 

I played baritone saxophone and clarinet in high school and am toying with the idea of taking it up again.

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman." The runner-up is probably John Irving's "A Prayer for Own Meany."

When I read for pure relaxation or escapism, Stephen King and Robert B. Parker are two of my favorites. King has been up and down in recent years, but I recently read "Duma Key" and loved it. Parker can be uneven but never fails to entertain.

I read a lot of science fiction as a kid and still do today. Favorite SF authors include Isaac Asimov, Harlan Ellison, Robert Silverberg, and Roger Zelazny.

Q: Do you watch TV?

A: I actually like TV as a medium, but can't find any shows these days that hold my attention. Of the shows I do occasionally watch, most are cartoons: The Simpsons, Family Guy, and once in a while South Park.

Q: Do you like movies?

A: Yes, but we don't go that often, so I see them mostly on cable. My recent favorites were Gran Torino, The Wrestler, Wolverine, and the new Star Trek.

Bob is the author of more than 70 books including The Complete Idiot's Guide To Direct Marketing (Alpha Books) and The Copywriter's Handbook (Henry Holt & Co.). His articles have appeared in numerous publications such as DM News, Writer's Digest, mtrak Express, Cosmopolitan, Inside Direct Mail,and Bits & Pieces for Salespeople.  CLICK HERE for more information.