Meet Manuel Ruiz | Author, Computer Geek and p/t Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Manuel Ruiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Manuel, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk taking played a major role in helping me build two different careers and also set an example that I’ve been able to pass along to my family.

The first big risk I took actually led me to the DFW area. During college, I worked as a “computer guy” for the school district in my hometown in South Texas while I completed my degree in Math/Computer Science. Once I graduated, I was offered an additional half-day position as a high school math teacher, which I did for almost two years. It was a low-risk and comfortable decision since I was already working there, but my desire was to work in the high-tech computer field. I chose to leave family and friends and landed a job in Irving, which is also where my son was born. The job allowed me to learn and thrive in the corporate world, but my wife and I wanted to raise our son closer to family, so after 3 years, I took another big risk and we moved to Central Texas where we’ve been ever since.

Throughout my time in the corporate world, I still fed my artistic side with music and writing. I’ve always had a passion for writing, but I knew how difficult it was to break into the field. I put my doubts aside and took another risk by jumping in headfirst. DFW and Austin opened additional opportunities to take various writing classes at local community colleges, and I soon joined writing groups and online writing communities. Once I reached a point where I had attended enough classes and conferences, I started to submit small projects. The first item I ever had published was a poem in a local publication in Austin, but I soon realized I tended to write beyond the scope of poetry and short stories and novels were my strength.

I consider putting myself out there publicly as an author, even though it was something I had been working toward for years, a much more frightening experience than any risks I had taken before. Writing is a lonely process, and the fear of letting people into that part of my life was overwhelming at first, but after the risks I’d already taken in my career, it made the decision easier. Even with my willingness to take risks, I’ve worked hard to balance my careers without sacrificing my family and have always consulted them in the process.

My wife and I have one son and raised a nephew, and they’ve both been willing to take risks in their own young lives by choosing challenging educational paths. I think that the risks that my father took as the first in his large family to graduate from college set the example that fueled my own decisions and then passed down to our boys. Some risks are bigger than others, but even the small risks can have a lasting impact. I truly believe I would have never been a published author or been successful at my computer job had it not been for the initial leap that set everything else in motion.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve published four Middle Grade novels, one series and one stand-alone. Growing up a fan of supernatural thriller and horror stories, I’ve always leaned toward writing with a supernatural twist and focus on creating characters that I hope readers will be able to connect with. From my currently published work, I’m most proud of my 3-book series. It’s called “The Dead Club” and as dark as that sounds, it’s actually a fun story about young heroes who just so happen to be dead. They arrive in the Underworld at the same time, only to discover that it’s broken, and they are tasked with finding out why. What I think makes it stand out are the interactions of the characters who develop abilities based on their method of death, plus having the Grim Reaper as a key mentor who has to break his dark persona in order to work with the young heroes. After letting his guard down, they discover he’s a pretty cool guy once they get to know him.

When writing these stories, you never know how they’ll resonate with readers. Although this is categorized as Middle Grade, it’s meant for any age. I have many adult readers who have expressed how much they enjoyed them. To hear someone tell you a particular scene hit them the way you intended when you were writing it is just an indescribable joy. I’ve had teachers and parents tell me how these books helped some troubled children cope and heal, finding the darker themes and comedic aspects (and Grimmy’s awesomely cool car) as a welcome escape to their personal lives. That’s not something I would have ever predicted, but a welcome inspiration to keep on writing.

Professionally, I got here by understanding that it would take time and hard work and continuous learning. When I speak to students, I always try to let them know nothing comes easy, but continuous learning can open up opportunities they might think are impossible. They just need to be willing to work for it. The current generation has such a leg up on what I experienced with so many free resources available to them online.

The biggest challenge also led to the biggest lessons learned during my author journey. It’s the processes outside of the actual writing that are the most difficult. Learning the business, from editors to beta readers to marketing and making sure you’re doing what’s expected in the genre, was by far the biggest challenge. The lesson learned was to never be afraid to ask for help or guidance. Through my writing groups or just contacting authors I met or enjoyed was difficult to do at first, but I’ve found that the majority are almost always willing to offer advice or point you in the right direction. I now try to pay it forward by offering guidance to starting writers to save them from hitting any of the obstacles I experienced along the way.

I’m excited about my current project, which will be delving into the YA genre. It’s a 3-book supernatural thriller/horror series that is definitely for an older audience and will be debuting later this year.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I currently live in Round Rock, Texas, which is just North of Austin. I’d take them to Lone Star Bakery, famous for their “Round Rock Donuts,” since I consider it an obligation to not deny anyone that joy. We also have a AAA baseball affiliate, the Round Rock Express, so a night game is a must. I’d have to include a trip to the Oasis off of Lake Travis just to experience the incredible sunset. And, not just because Batman is my favorite superhero, I’d also take them by the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin to witness North America’s “largest urban bat population” take flight at dusk. It’s a sight to see, and if it’s too crowded, Round Rock also has a bat bridge that’s pretty impressive. I’m also a musician and play in an 80’s band, so can’t be in the Austin area without heading downtown to check out the live music and incredible food choices. I would also take them by the Capitol Building and Bob Bullock museum. There’s plenty more to do, but this is how I’d spend the first few days.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I do want to specifically thank fellow author Miracle Austin and my wife Daisy, who both nominated me for The Shoutout series. I always try to thank my high school English teachers and have acknowledged each of them in my books, so shoutout to Martha Westfall, Peggy France and Rudy Salazar. English still rocks. I’ve met so many wonderful writers, illustrators and librarians during my author journey and they’ve made my life so much richer by encouraging, championing and celebrating books and reading throughout schools and communities.

Website: www.manuelruiz3.com

Instagram: ruizmanwriter

Twitter: @ruizman

Facebook: @ManuelRuizThree