We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful R.H. Bird. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with R.H. below.
R.H. , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
We’re all unique. Whether it’s your age, race, religion, or nationality, there’s only one you. You’re incredibly special and exceptional. The worst thing you should do is look around and notice how everyone else is different and therefore you can’t accomplish what you want to. No one cares what you look like except you. When that sinks in it’s a very freeing philosophy. No one cares.
Here’s what I mean. Let’s say in twenty years someone asked a friend of mine, “Whatever happened to R.H. Bird?” If the answer was, “He stopped writing and decided to take up pottery in Nepal.” The first guy might say, “Oh, isn’t that interesting, I hope it’s working out for him.” Unless it’s a member of my immediate family or a very close friend, the person really doesn’t care. He or she cares about their own life, not mine. So, if I focus my attention and energy on what this person thinks about me, then who’s wasting time and effort? Just me.
If I realize, however, that no one else in the room cares about what happens to me, I don’t have to waste precious resources trying to gain their approval. I can simply concentrate on doing an excellent job and being successful at my chosen activity. At first, hearing that no one else in the room cares what happens to you sounds awful. In reality, it’s the best news you can have.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I write young adult novels, hopefully good ones. My first book, Promposal came out last year. The sequel, Last Prom Standing was released in July. Both are traditionally published by a New York house called The Wild Rose Press.
My goal is to create fun stories with a lot of teenage angst. If you’re in high school I hope they hit on the emotions and adventures you’re going through now. If you’ve graduated, hopefully they bring you back there. Whether you loved or hated being a teenager, it forged who you are in ways you never thought possible.
The first book focuses on trying to win back your ex on prom day, one of the most emotional days in our lives. The second one deals with the challenges of a long distance relationship. Can you hold it together while the whole world tries to tear you apart?
One thing I can pretty much guarantee, these will be the two fastest books you ever read. You’ll be dying to know what happens to Luca and Piper and laughing your tail off along the way.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Location, location, location. Wait, that’s one word three times.
Three qualities, huh? Resilience has to be the most important. There are so many times when you’ll want to give up. What do you need all the aggravation for anyway? It’s so much simpler to quit and take the easy way out. In the short run it might even make you happier. Until you remember that nothing important or worthwhile was ever accomplished by surrendering when things got tough and didn’t go your way.
Genius is in the details. I’ve heard General Patton say that but I think he paraphrased it off Napoleon. Think about the biggest errors or mistakes you’ve made in life. I’ll bet you weren’t paying attention to the task at hand. Or perhaps, you planned out a project but took your eyes off the prize at a critical moment and things fell apart. It’s amazing how much smarter you are when you focus on the tiny details in front of you.
Reading. Turn off the TV. Put down the phone. Pick up a book or article. Life is way too tough for you to figure it all out by yourself and here’s a secret–you don’t have to. Non-fiction books will teach you about your field or show you how successful people in your industry got that way. Why bang your head against the wall when you can let someone else take those bruises for you? Fiction will fly you off to so many great adventures you’ll never want to come back. You’ll be shocked how much you learn about life by reading stories as well. Don’t waste another second. Start reading.
Contact Info:
- Website: rhbird.com
- Instagram: @rhbirdauthor
- Facebook: @rhbirdauthor
- Other: Tiktok – @rhbirdauthor
