Meet David W. Robbins, Author of Rich Little Piggy

David W. Robbins is a retired military veteran with a new mission: helping everyday people achieve financial success. Too many people are living paycheck to paycheck, drowning in debt with no hope of ever retiring. David wants them to join his movement to earn more, spend less, and live debt free!

Learn more about his book, Rich Little Piggy, on Amazon as well as on Facebook. David also maintains a blog on Goodreads.

1. When did you first get the idea to write your book, and how long did the process take your from idea to publication?

Hmm, I don't remember exactly when the idea first hit me, but it was in my head for many years. Like many folks, I was so busy with work, school, and family life that I only recently decided to sit down and actually start writing. Once I started, Rich Little Piggy was published the following year (2015).

2. How did you come up with the title of Rich Little Piggy?

That was a fun process. It took a while to figure out a theme for the book. I didn't want it to be the usual, dry, boring stuff that normally comes to mind when people think about personal finance. I definitely wanted the book to be a simple, easy read and not cluttered with complex stuff that everyday people will simply tune out. None of that gobbledy-gook is necessary to achieve financial success. In fact, to some people, the title can be a bit misleading in the sense they may think of a spoiled, "rich pig" of a person. When you read the book, you'll instantly realize the true meaning of what it really means to be a rich little piggy.

3. In a nutshell, what are some factors that allowed you to retire at the age of 43?

Simple answer--hard work and saving. I also believe that any able-bodied person can do the same. Like many folks, I come from loving but humble beginnings. In 1988, I left high school and joined the military, earning $630 per month. I loved military service, but wow, you sure don't get paid as much as the private sector. There were many years of working 40-60 hours per week while simultaneously taking a full-time college load at night and on weekends. My college education opened many doors to great job opportunities after I left the military. Throw in deployments and moving at least 15 times, I kept pretty busy. The moving taught me valuable life skills and a lot about real estate (both renting and buying). It also taught me to move to where the jobs were. Don't wait for things to happen--make them happen.

Make no mistake, I did not do it alone. I got married in 2004 and my wife has been my partner since 2004. She's the hardest working person I know and also worked day and night to earn her masters degree, which also opened up many great jobs opportunities for her. Some people choose work or school--we did both at the same time, while also moving and having kids. It was far from easy and did I mention hard work? However, it was definitely worth it! Neither one of us are special or privileged in any way; we simply worked hard for many years, saving as much money as we could along the way. Real estate helped, too. Our savings is critical to early retirement and happened because we always lived below our means. It's also critical to ensure your entire financial house is in order (not just savings). We relied on the total picture--no debt, emergency fund, savings, careers, insurance, education, and more. But that's it: many years in a nutshell.

4. What are some aspects of your own experience that you feel are most helpful to other people when it comes to making decisions in their own (financial) lives?

Step one is to wake up. Have a plan. I don't mean that in a derogatory way, but too many people just wander aimlessly through life with no purpose or goals. Financially speaking, here's the thing--follow a written budget. Just that alone will practically force you to think intentionally about how you spend your money. Sample goals might include earning a degree, paying off debt, buying a house, or investing for retirement. Those are over-simplified and Rich Little Piggy shows you how to set SMART goals, but you get the idea.

Step two is to act! It's been said that you can have excuses or results, not both. Nobody is going to hand you financial success on a silver platter. Not your parents, your neighbors, your boss, and certainly not the government. You must act on your goals. Yes, this is easier said than done, but the payoff is well worth it! If you need help, just look around you. Besides books like Rich Little Piggy, there are thousands more. There are hundreds of FREE personal finance blogs, websites, TV/radio shows, and courses that will teach you how to manage money. Claiming you don't know how to handle money is an excuse--do your research. But remember, it's about more than just money. Do these two things (have a plan and act) for success with your finances.

5. Why do you think so many Americans are in debt, and what can we do as individuals (and a society) to encourage debt-free living?

If I knew the answer to WHY so many Americans are in debt, I'd be considered a genius (or a psychic)! I simply don't know. I'd guess the reasons are many and varied. My favorite guess is that PEOPLE DON'T FOLLOW A WRITTEN BUDGET. A budget is not a silver bullet for avoiding debt, but it sure does help--if done properly! It forces you to "see" where your money is going every month and encourages you to make intentional choices with your money. Experts will give us all kinds of reasons, statistics, and surveys about why people are in debt. Quite frankly, I don't care why--I'm about fixing things. Even if you knew why, you'd educate that person on how not to do it again. So, instead of guessing a million different reasons, simply cut to the chase and educate people on how not to live in debt. If they choose not to, that's their choice. At least they know. They have nobody to blame but themselves.

So, what can we do about it and how can we encourage debt-free living? Plenty! I do know that living in debt is NOT a necessity. That much I do know. There are plenty of excuses, but not many real reasons to live in debt. It starts with you. It starts by following a financial blueprint and living at least within, but ideally below, your means. Don't worry about the Joneses! Also, way too many people think of minimum wage as a goal, and not a starting point. We all start somewhere. My somewhere was mowing lawns and washing dishes as a teenager. Whatever your salary is today, it should be more next year--make it happen. Whatever your education level is today, it should be higher next year--make it happen.

Some people say they can't make ends meet every month. Well, after you've cut expenses to the bone, your only other option is to increase your income. Chapter 2 of Rich Little Piggy provides many ways to grow your income. However, it's up to individuals. You must be willing to sacrifice and put in the hard work. So, set the example for others to follow. Live debt-free yourself. Educate your children, family, and friends. Heck, that's why I started my movement! So, even if you don't buy the book, "Like & Share" my Facebook page, read and share my blog. This is how we get each other out from this huge debt load--one dollar at a time. Together, let's make it happen. Join the movement--become a rich little piggy!

Thanks, David!

Meet J. New, Author

British author J. New writes crime thrillers with a dark side, short stories, and flash fiction with a twist. She draws on her interests in psychology, spirituality, and the metaphysical to weave tales that explore the darker side of human nature. Her writing is a mix of crime, thriller, murder-mystery, and suspense with a touch of the supernatural.

Her first novel, due out summer 2015, A Poisoned Mind, features protagonist Dr. Mary Gray, a criminal profiler and poisons expert with a secret past and an eerie gift. A child prodigy with an unhealthy upbringing, followed by an event in her twenties that would have catastrophic repercussions, Gray teeters on the brink of a mental breakdown whilst hunting a serial killer.

J. New's writer influences include Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Clive Barker. A staunch supporter of Indie-authors, she loves scouring bookstores, both physical and virtual for her next favorite writer. She currently lives with her partner and three rescue dogs, where she drinks too much coffee and is a slave to her keyboard.

Find J. New's Predator or Prey – Short Tales With A Twist, on Amazon and on Kobo

1. How did you first become interested in writing thrillers?

As a reader, I've always been interested in mysteries and thrillers, and probably half of my bookshelf is made up of that particular genre. When I made the decision to begin writing full-time, it was natural for me to create something that I loved and wanted to read myself. Writing something you are passionate about translates into much better words on the page, and consequently the readers and fans of your work have a much better experience.

That said, I'm not a great fan of pigeonholing an author's work into a particular genre. My work includes elements of suspense, drama, mystery, crime, psychology, and the supernatural, so trying to fit it into a particular box is almost impossible.

I've also penned a short story entitled "The Yellow Cottage" which is available FREE on my website for those who would like to become part of my reader group, and that isn't a thriller at all, but as with everything I write, it has a great twist. I've had some wonderful correspondence from readers about that one.

As an author, whilst I write because I love to, and have an almost visceral need to create, at the back of my mind, always, is the fact that I'm writing for my readers. Without my fans, (those that buy or download free everything I produce), I wouldn't be able to continue. So my responsibility and promise to them is to produce the best and highest quality work I can.

2. What do you most enjoy about the genre of flash fiction, and when writing the pieces in your recent collection, did you limit yourself to a specific number of words per story?

I absolutely love writing flash fiction. It's an incredibly disciplined way of working, and I love the challenge. It's also a great tool to help with the self-editing process for longer works. Surplus words have no place in this style of writing, so you have to make every word count. You'd be surprised how many ways there are of saying the same thing. Flash fiction is an art in itself, and requires you to produce a very short, but complete story in around 500 to 1000 words. Whilst it may sound simple, it's actually more difficult than you would think.

I also like to include twists in every story I write, regardless of length. With flash fiction you have room for just one, so you have to make it count. Many of those who have written to me after reading my latest collection have said they were wowed by the twists and didn't see them coming. That's the best feeling in the world for a writer, knowing that your work has achieved exactly what you wanted it to: that your reader has become emotionally involved in the story.

My latest collection Predator or Prey – Short Tales With A Twist, is a combination of flash fiction and short stories, with the shortest being 560 words and the longest around 1,600. It wasn't a conscious decision to limit myself in terms of words for each piece. I wrote what was best for each story, eliminating words I didn't need, and increasing the pace and suspense, so that the reader experience was the best it could be, and the integrity of story wasn't compromised.

3. Why did you choose to publish your work independently?

It's all about retaining artistic control. Contrary to what a lot of people think, being an independent author does not mean being an amateur. It means being a professional, who prefers to retain control of their work, in order to provide the highest quality for their readers. With the advent of self-publishing in recent years, it's become much easier to get your work into the marketplace, and many well-known, traditionally published authors are now choosing to independently publish their work, in order to reach and grow their audience. With e-readers and Kindles it now takes seconds for a customer to purchase and begin reading your book. That's incredibly exciting for authors and readers alike. And of course, one thing which is important to me is that retaining control means I have a direct link to my readers, which I love.

4. What are you working on now, and what future projects do you have planned?

I'm currently working on my debut novel, A Poisoned Mind, which is a murder-mystery thriller. When a young college student is found murdered in bizarre circumstances, Dr. Mary Gray, criminal profiler and poisons expert, is called in to consult on the case. It soon becomes apparent that this is not a one-off crime; there is a serial killer on the loose. When a second body is uncovered, it becomes a race against time to find the perpetrator before he strikes again. As the clock ticks down and her "gift" kicks in, Mary Gray teeters on the brink of a mental breakdown as the past she has tried to conceal collides with her present in spectacular fashion. It's based in the UK and is a pure joy to work on. I'm planning on releasing it in the summer this year.

Alongside that I'm currently planning out the first of a new series. It's a murder-mystery collection based in Victorian England, so sort of a Conan-Doyle meets steampunk, but with a thriller edge to it.

5. I like that your website includes a Writer Toolbox, resources for other Indie-authors. What are some of the resources that have been most important to you in your journey from writing to publishing?

I'm a huge advocate of indie-authors, and over the last couple of years I've been publishing, have learned a huge amount. It's important for me to be able to share with others what I've learned, especially those who are just starting out. Indie-authors aren't in competition for readers, the way it used to be in the traditionally published world. It's so much easier for people to get their hands on books now, and they are reading more than ever before.

In terms of resources I use and learn from regularly, the blog and training of author Nick Stephenson is one of the best. Another is the website of Joanna Penn, an author, speaker, and entrepreneur. Both Nick and Joanna are incredibly successful within their fields, and continue to provide up-to-date and immensely useful information about the industry.

For setting up your writer platform, then you need look no further than the site of Kimberley Grabas. Simply called Your Writer Platform, it provides everything you need to get up and running. Two of the most well-known indie-authors are Johnny B Truant and Sean Platt, and they produce the popular Self-Publishing Pod-cast, and are also the authors of Write, Publish, Repeat, one of the best writing craft books there is. There's much more on my website.

If you are a writer, then sign up for my Readers Group email--you'll get my free short story "The Yellow Cottage," and just drop me a line and let me know you're a writer. I periodically send resources and information which I find to be invaluable, covering everything from starting out, writing courses, marketing, software, and anything else I think will be useful to you in order to make your writing life easier.

If you sign up as a reader, then I'll send news of my releases, book recommendations, competitions, and freebies I've found. I only send it once or twice a month, but it's packed with great stuff for book lovers.

You can sign up for J. New's Readers Group and receive your FREE short story by clicking here. You can also connect with her on social media: Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.