Interview With Star Actress Turned Author Renée Marino

 

 

1. What motivated you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and turning it into this book? Writing has forever been a passion, and I have always wanted to write a book. Although I've written many personalized children's books for my nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends' children, I knew I wanted to be a published author with my own non-fiction manuscript. Therefore, in 2017, while working on the Broadway musical "Pretty Woman," I had the idea to write a book on communication after chatting with my girlfriends in the dressing room. As communication is such a broad topic, I was trying to figure out what part of communication I wanted to write about, and then, one night, while out to dinner with a friend, I found my answer. At the restaurant, a family of four sat next to us. A mother, father, teenage son, and two young kids. None of them spoke throughout the entire meal because they all had their heads down on a digital device. The parents and teen were on their phones and the two children on their video games. This scene broke my heart because instead of sharing beautiful moments of connection together, they were stuck in the virtual world. This set a fire within me to make my book about balancing digital technology with more direct communication to become a master communicator.   

2. What is it about and who is it for?  “Becoming a Master Communicator” is about how to balance the communication worlds of what I call “New School Technology, (Digital Technology) with what I call “Ol’ School Simplicity, (the channels of communication before digital technology, i.e., face to face, a phone call, or a handwritten letter.) In this day and age of digital technology, it has become so easy to primarily connect through digital means. As a result, we can experience a lot of miscommunication and problems in our personal and professional relationships if we do not understand the right time and place to connect digitally and the right time and place to put the devices down to have a direct conversation. This book helps the reader to know those times!  

This book is for:

·         Women and men Introverts who are tired of missing opportunities, or struggling in relationships because they aren’t comfortable with speaking up.

·         Business leaders who are not comfortable with direct communication. 

·         Teachers who are struggling with keeping their students focus because of digital technology.

·         Parents who are not connecting with their children because they’re always on their smartphones.

·         Individuals who don’t communicate honestly because they fear confrontation.  

3. What takeaways might the reader be left with after reading it? 

• Communication with Self is first and foremost and sets the tone for all other communication.
• Discovering your “Communication Home.”
• The Power of Taking “Imperfect Action.”
• How “Communication does not mean Confrontation.”
• How Becoming a Master Communicator allows you to Seize Opportunities.   

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? The title came to me intuitively, and I didn’t question it because, as I share in the book, following your gut instincts will never steer you wrong. 

My publisher and I-Morgan James Publishing-decided that it was best to have my photo on the cover. After having a photoshoot of well over five hundred pictures, again, my intuition spoke to me right away when I saw the one photo that ended up on the cover!   

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers? Do not let your fear stop you, but motivate you to keep going. When that voice in your head says, "You can’t write a book. You're not good enough," instead of listening, simply say, "Thank you so much for trying to protect me, but I got this." Then, take "Imperfect Action" by moving forward despite the fear.  

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? I see that audiobooks are on the rise because everyone is so digitally connected nowadays, and wanting to find more "convenient" ways to get things done, listening to a book, instead of having to sit down to read a physical book allows that to happen. Listeners can enjoy a book while using NET Time-No Extra Time, because they can listen as they drive, workout, and do daily tasks. As far as where the publishing industry is going, I have to give credit to my Publisher-Morgan James Publishing-because they are doing it right. Morgan James is a hybrid publisher that beautifully blends the world of traditional publishing with the author-led style of the self-publishing world. I believe this is where the world of publishing is going because it's a beautiful balance of having a support system from the publishing team, with the author's freedom to be the leader of the decisions and ultimate vision of the book.  

7. What challenges did you overcome to write this book? After I sent my manuscript to my editors and saw all the notes they gave me, I questioned how good of a writer I was! Their notes, at first look, made me feel like everything I wrote was taken the wrong way, but then when I stepped back, I realized their notes were a gift. They were a gift of another perspective, which allowed me to see the pages with fresh eyes and add more layers that improved my writing and made me even more excited to share this book with the world.   

8. How would you describe your writing style? Very conversational and down-to-earth, like you're sitting across from me at a table while out to lunch together! I've had many friends contact me and say, "This book is so YOU. I can hear your voice so well as I read your words!" That makes me really happy because that is exactly how I want my reader to feel. Like I am right beside them, holding their hand as I guide them on their communication journey.  

 

9. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? Because communication affects us all, every day of our lives, and in every part of our lives. Everything starts with communication, and when we learn to master this skill, we become limitless. This beautiful guidebook is not a read that will inspire you one time before you add it to your shelf of other books collecting dust. Instead, this is an actionable communication resource that gives you a clear understanding of how crucial communication is to your livelihood and shows you how to implement the simple tools within the pages to help you connect on a genuine level personally and professionally. The Reflections Sections, which are questions to answer in each chapter, allow you to absorb and reflect on what was read, causing the information to absorb deeper into your subconscious mind. As a result, you will establish true self-confidence, fulfilling relationships, and an extraordinary career!

About The Author: Renée Marino is a professional communication coach named by Yahoo Finance as one of the “Top 10 Communication Coaches to Follow in 2021!” She was the co-host of Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi’s “World Summit'' and has spoken, performed, and been interviewed on thousands of live and virtual stages, including Dean Graziosi’s podcast The Dean Graziosi Show. Renée helps people create genuine connections in their life and business by balancing new school technology with ol’ school simplicity. She also uses her well-rounded experience of communicating through various mediums to train companies, organizations, schools, and universities in strengthening their communication skills. Renée can be seen as the female lead, Mary Delgado, in the film, “Jersey Boys,” directed by Clint Eastwood. She has been featured in People.com’s “Ones to Watch,” Variety, and The Huffington Post, which stated: “The Broadway star—who is basically Tina Fey’s celebrity doppelganger— is a scene-stealer, spouting swears and put-downs with aplomb. ‘Jersey Boys’ pops whenever she’s onscreen.” Renée wrote and performed her solo show, I Am Me, Because of Three, to sold-out venues in NYC and LA and received rave reviews. Her Broadway credits include Pretty Woman: The Musical (dance captain/assistant to the choreographer/ensemble), West Side Story (Rosalia), Jersey Boys (Mary Delgado), Chaplin, and Wonderland (ensemble). She has toured North America with Cats, Disney’s High School Musical, and Jersey Boys. Her television credits include Regina on Fox’s Weird Loners and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. As a coach, keynote speaker, and longtime performer, Renée Marino has inspired people worldwide with her energy, relatability, and authentic spirit. For more information, please see: https://www.instagram.com/iamreneemarino/

Please Contact Me For Help

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.