Thank you for doing this interview Saurav.
Where were you born and where do you call home?
I was born in Kolkata, India but reside in London, United Kingdom which has been home pretty much all my life.
Patti says: I bet you have some great curry recipes. Want to share?
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?
Stand Alone: The Films of Mickey Rourke, probably the definitive study of the actor's life and career by a fan for the fans. Essentially it features analytical discussion, academic criticism, commentary and biographical information on him.
If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?
In the novels I have written, such as The Far Lonely Cry Of Trains which was short-listed for the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, the characters would speak of a longing and acceptance in a world that has never really given them their due. They'd have a lot of questions and a lot of answers which have become redundant as the passages of time have seemingly passed them by as they've struggled to keep up.
Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
First and foremost I write fiction, but also have delved into non fiction and specifically biography having also done a biography of Jaws actor Roy Scheider which I am also very proud of. Currently I am writing a dark noir drama called 'New Terminal Hotel', a conspiracy based thriller called 'Shadow Company' and a New Orleans based detective drama.
What or who inspired you to write? And how long have you been writing?
It came through a surprising source-a film-maker and actor who is no longer with us called John Cassavetes. This man was a huge inspiration to me to be creative in a non conformist matter, that the expression is the most vital and important thing any creator/author can seek to accomplish. That the bottom line isn't success, adulation or fame but simply the selfish need and desire to create, to tell a story, to put conflict drama and love into words and meaningful dialogue that leave an emotional imprint on the author and the reader. I have been writing since 1998 when I won the Manchester Young Poets award, but only recently have I turned my attention to writing novels after my first novel, a horror called 'Dark Moon Rising', which was runner up in the Exeter Writers Short Story Competition in 2003.
Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?
For my current book I have gifted books to fellow Mickey Rourke fans through internet forums
How did you come up with the title and cover design?
The title represents the actors general stance and attitude in life, that is to march to his drum and his alone. I can identify with that ethos and the stubbornness to stay true to your ideals no matter what comes your way. The cover design was actually put together by a very good friend of mine who is also a budding artist.
Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?
Absolutely, if you want to write powerfully then let the truth guide you-that's what I have believed and in my writing I have always sought emotional truth. My characters reflect aspects of my own personality, longing, desires, pleasures and pain as well as people I know and have known. A lot of them, at least visually, are based on famous actors who have inspired me. For instance, my first novel 'Dark Moon Rising' featured a central character based entirely around Hammer Horror legend Christopher Lee. That was the picture I had in my life, the voice of the character and the nuances. Real events also shape the dialogue, characterisation and narrative of a lot of my work and every book, or every poem is in search of an emotional truth that underlies everything I do, whether it's conscious or not.
What books have most influenced your writing most and why?
Initially the writings of Yukio Mishima and primarily the plays I read from Harold Pinter, Strindberg and Chekhov-the reasons they really impacted me was because of the flair of the writing, the hard hitting power of the dialogue and characterisation amongst other things. Ironically a lot of my influence has come about reading biographies and autobiographies-just understanding the reality of life and the prevalent truth that comes out in the stories of these fascinating people-it makes you think about reality a lot more and trying to encapsulate a certain feeling into the written word. The writings of John Cassavetes also drew me back to my reason to write because it came down to the same belief that if a story has to be told from your heart, then you should tell it no matter what.
Another inspiration came from actor Marlon Brando and his self penned book 'Fan Tan' simply because the description and manner of writing was so vivid, meticulous and powerfully descriptive that it was impossible to put down and you could really feel the pleasure of the writer in those words and I wanted to emulate that.
Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?
Unfortunately most of my favourite authors have passed on though Sue Townsend (author of the Adrian Mole series) is definitely a vote for somebody who is alive.
Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?
There's nothing like actually holding a book in your hand, and paperback would be my favourite
Are you a self published (Indie) Author?
Yes since about 2010
Have you ever read a book more than once?
Yes but usually they are biographies/autobiographies though I am looking forward to reading the novels of various actors again for example 'Fan Tan' by Brando, 'A Feather in the Rain' by Alex Cord, 'Big Jane' by Michael Cimino (director of The Deer Hunter) and the novels that actor Gene Hackman has done.
Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?
'IT' by Stephen King
What book are you currently reading and in what format (electronic/paperback/
I'm currently alternating between 'A Postillion struck by writing' the first of actor Dirk Bogarde's memoirs and Harold Pinter's 'The Homecoming' both paperback
What book do you know that you will never read?
Commercial fluff, the sort of thing people who never read jump over themselves to read simply because everybody else is reading it or because a movie of it just got made and they don't want to 'miss out'
Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why?
Hardly 'new' but Jessica Blank's novel 'Almost Home' because it touches on the kind of themes I have tried to adopt, namely alienation and the feeling of longing and trying to fit into society when the odds seem stacked up against you
Is there anything you would change in your last book and why?
No I am proud that I did not go the commercial route and delve into salacious gossip and tabloid trash, the reviews thus far have all commended me for that
Who designed the cover of your book?
A lady friend of mine :)
Do you have a book trailer?
Yes I have two on youtube.The main video trailer is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
What are your thoughts on book trailers?
Absolutely nothing wrong with them, as long as they're informative and not full of fluff it's an ideal promotional tool
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Just to stay true to your vision and your inherent desire to write, never try to second guess the audience, the marketplace or write to please others. Be selfish, please yourself and also be your hardest critic. If you're not writing to express an emotional truth, then put your pen down and do something else-live your life-otherwise write from the heart and don't be so sensitive to what others might think, be confident in yourself.
What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?
"Most people don't know what they want or feel. And for everyone, myself included, It's very difficult to say what you mean when what you mean is painful. The most difficult thing in the world is to reveal yourself, to express what you have to... As an artist, I feel that we must try many things - but above all, we must dare to fail. You must have the courage to be bad - to be willing to risk everything to really express it all."--John Cassavetes
Do you write under a pen name?
Nope it's all me!
Cats or dogs?
Dogs hands (or paws) down everytime
Where can your readers follow you?
My blog: www.mickey-rourke.com
My facebook page:
My Goodreads author page:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.
Smashwords:http://www.
Other:http://stores.lulu.com/
Is your book in Print, ebook or both? All
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me and allowing us a glimpse into your writing word.
I hope you share this interview with your friends so we can all get to know you a little better. Patti
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