RobAround’s Intro: I meet Rob somewhere around the Internet (I can’t quite remember where now) but he’s since become a good ready buddy. We follow one another’s reading progress on GoodReads, and I’m jealous to admit that he ticks off books way quicker than I do. Aside from having a great name..[grin]..Rob has similar reading tastes. Anyone whose a ‘friend’ of Steinbeck, is definitely a friend of mine! I’ve also got a further reason to ‘hate’ Rob. He’s a hugely talented illustrator and, although not reading related, I urge you to go along and check out some of his work. You won’t regret it! Anyway I’m speaking too much as usual so without further delay I’d better pass the virtual mic over to the infinitely more handsome Rob. Take it away buddy:
I began life as a small, Peruvian land mass. Slowly, through the help of evolution, I was placed at this point in time as a 22(soon to be 23)-year old freelance illustrator working/living in Westminster, Maryland.
You can learn about my work by visiting my blog: http://morriconei.blogspot.com
1. Favourite Genre? I love fiction laced with humor. Really any genre laced with humor is a good way to go.
2. Favourite Book? All-time: Don Quixote by Cervantes. I’ve read it more times than anything else, and it never stops being funny/sad. Although, I just read East of Eden by John Steinbeck and it is right up there.
Some others:
· Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse
· The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
· Slaughterhouse-five by Kurt Vonnegut
3. Why do you love reading so much? Inspiration, definitely. Some artists can look at an image and be sent into creative super-drive. Me, I read a good book -or anything, really- and get the same thing.
4. Favourite reading place? There’s a small park in downtown Westminster that I like. My line of work allows me to go when the crowds aren’t heavy. Really peaceful.
Other than that, sitting in front of sun-lit window.
5. How BIG is your reading addiction? I’m ensconced in reading. I’m always doing research for illustration work, which I really enjoy, and then I read something just about every night. There’s really no way I could see not having at least the option to read at any time.
Just replace ‘read’ with your drug of choice and you’ll get the picture.
6. How do you normally add books to your collection? I check out yard sales and thrift stores. For everything new, Borders.
Really, though, I don’t have much of a collection. It has to be a favorite or reference book to hang around the house.
7. How do you decide what to read? Largely from friends. I just don’t spend enough time on-line to get them consistently any other way.
However, Goodreads has been a nice find. I’ve read some great stuff because of you, Mr. Burdock.
8. Ebooks – love or hate? How is it not like watching television, or sitting in front of a computer? I read to get away from those things.
Not to mention the possible ramifications of putting an author’s work in an editable format.
I blame Star Trek for this.
9. Has reading inspired you to do any serious writing yourself? Serious? No. I used to write little stories to pass the time, but nothing major. I’ve read enough to know I’m no good at it.
10. What single piece of advice (or tip) would you give to fellow readers? Don’t be afraid to broaden your reading horizons. I’ve found countless good reads by testing genres I thought I would hate.
Rob – Thanks for a great interview, and many thanks for taking the time to give it. Continued success with the illustrating.
About Rob
just checked out rob’s – the other rob, rob
– work and blog. excellent stuff on both, and he’s modest – his writing is great, in addition to being hilarious.
says:
He is modest Krista. His work is outstanding – shame I could never afford him
)