In Conversation with Howard Roark…

Hi Howard

Congratulations on your book ‘Newton’s Law Reversed: Conflict – Some evade, some efface, while most embrace: 1’! It is a pleasure to have a conversation (though not face-to-face) with you about your literary journey. Just like an intriguing title, your literary journey also sounds very interesting. This short session will give my readers a sneak peek into the making of this book.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, perhaps something not many people know.

I have an emotional core protected by a cool mantle of mischief, reticence, and jubilance. I’m one to appreciate the small pleasures of life, the efforts behind simple conceptions, and as well, the glory of mammoth creations.

2. Music or silence: what do you prefer and why?

Music is the intoxicant I crave within silence, and silence is the relief I seek amidst the noise. However, while writing, I prefer the gentleness of silence.

3. Have you written any other book (s) that have not been published?

I have a fistful of short stories that I have not published. They are from my early days of writing – raw, jarring, and cutting.

4. What do you think about ebook revolution?

The ebook revolution is great for the new age reducing a publisher’s / author’s carbon footprint. Also, this facilitates low-cost production and distribution. However, I do recognize and accept that today abounds with readers who still prefer to hold, smell, and feel the book they read. I’m fine with either as long as the reading habit persists.

5. Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

I prefer that the characters hijack any story. I abhor the presence of a nagging narrator in a plot. Beauty lies in a scene unravelling through conversations, and actions that flesh out the characters involved, and lets the readers form their own biased opinion, rather than pushing the authors. You see, the book is as much the reader’s, as it’s the writer’s, so the writer shouldn’t overstay his welcome in the reader’s cognizance.

6. What is the most amusing thing that has ever happened to you?

It’s the energy that I put into my book at the beginning. I had written a third of the book (in terms of the number of words) in 2 weeks, and I surprised myself there, especially when the rest of it took a good part of the 4 years that followed. Well, the amusing part is that I have never known myself to be so dedicated to doing anything of substance, so I was amazed at the passion I discovered with writing.

7. What is your favourite part of the book?

I like all the parts where Akash’s (the protagonist’s) ego takes a beating, since to me, he represents the over-confident, bragging, and careless youth phase of anyone’s life, and that’s a period of life that I like to laugh at, specifically due to the immaturity, and the follies that define it in general. Thereby, it amused me to ensure that his defeats were persistent, painful, and embarrassing.

8. Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer? If so, what do you do?

I am a full-time Software Engineer with Cisco Systems, and I’m also a qualified hypnotherapist, with which I help out friends/family. Also, I’m a freelance Android App developer, and a home automation enthusiast.

9. What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

The toughest in terms of being incredible was when my book was termed boring, and something that has no value. Well, I should only say that my book is not for all to enjoy. My writing does not satisfy the roller-coaster-seeking, adrenaline-craving youth, but does only those who wish to experience a mind, a perspective, and a long drive along a coast, with nothing for company but the steady drone of words, and a silence without.

10. How was your experience working with Leadstart Publishers? Would you recommend their name to aspiring authors?

In today’s rush to seek quick business and hasty opulence, service and nobility have taken the boot behind the back seat. However, I have been having a good relationship with Leadstart from the very beginning. Although Leadstart has been my first and only publisher experience, I must say that I have been satisfied overall with their approach, and performance and that I would indeed recommend Leadstart to aspiring authors.