It's A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Shane Robitaille, author of Rockit Crew (The Adventures of Teenage Hip-Hop Misfits)

Author’s Bio: Writer / Veteran / Talent Development / Leader / Cyclist

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

Shane Robitaille:  We need more positive and authentic stories of young people finding their way in the mad world.  

DL: How do you handle writer’s block?

SR: If I’m not feeling the writing vibe then I don’t write and do something different.

DL: Describe your writing process?

SR: For the novel, I wrote it from the perspective of a director on the set of a film. I picture each scene and all the dialogue as if I were looking at from behind the lens of a camera. This helps me create a more robust and authentic view of what’s happening with the characters in the story. 

DL: What do you think makes a good story?

SR: Such a hard question! For me, I think there are way too many superhero films. The world has so many real superheroes that make the world a better place but go unnoticed. My favorite stories are about ordinary people who do extraordinary things. I also love characters who are hard to put labels on or put into a specific category.  

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

SR: All the poetry books by Shel Silverstein and Robert Frost, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, 1984 by George Orwell, Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck, and old-school hip-hop artists. If I could name only one, it would be The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.  

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers? 

SR: First, FIND the time to write your awesome book, but then PROTECT the time. There are a million other things that need our attention in this mad world, so ensure you protect the time you made for writing your story. And, once you start writing, be purposeful to eliminate or minimize distractions. No checking social media, no email, just dream and write!

Second, for writers who aren’t sure what to write about, or which project to put more effort into, pretend that you could go to the rooftop of the Empire State Building. Once there, you look down over the edge of the roof and see millions of people looking up at you, giving you their undivided attention. If I were to hand you a big megaphone to tell them something, what would you say? You only have one shot to tell them something that matters! What would it be? What story would you tell them? Whatever it is, should be the thing you’re writing. Find the story that is burning a hole in your soul and write that.

DL: What are three things you can’t live without?

SR: Family, friends and stellar music.

DL: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

SR: Caffeinated day dreamer.

DL: Can you share an excerpt from Rockit Crew?

SR: Sure. Here you go:

This is not a story about the history of hip-hop; rather it’s about four best friends who discovered hip-hop when it was young, the power of friendship in the face of adversity, and how hard it is to be different when the world around you wants you to be like everybody else. 

It’s not easy being different at any age but it’s especially tough for teenagers. I think at some point in our lives, especially when we’re young, we need to find out who we are, what we’re made of, and take a stand, regardless of what others think. If we don’t then we leave it up to the world to do it for us. 

In the summer of 1984 four teenage hip-hop misfits dared to be different. 

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?

SR: I’ve only written a few poems since the paperback and e-book were published in February, and the audiobook made its debut in June. I’ve been spending most of my “writing time” marketing the book, doing interviews, and other virtual events. I have spent a little time storyboarding my next Rockit Crew novel, which I hope to start writing in the fall.  

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

SR: They can find out more here:

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2PXpA9l

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShaneRobitaille

Blog: https://kitestringpoems.tumblr.com

Book Buy Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/32qPM1p

Audible: https://adbl.co/2PmXYKw

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/310RyHo

Or order it from your favorite independent bookstore!

It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.