AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Q. Tell our reader something about you and your book.
– Am from Bangalore, belonging to a typical kannadiga family. Started as an electronics engineer but luckily found what I love doing post my MBA i.e. digital advertising. Have been working for more than a decade now
& am always in love with life.

My book is all about – Series of heartfelt feelings expressed as thoughts/articles covering subjects that matter
to all of us. Tried my best to provide a fresh perspective to our dearest debated topics. It’s my labor of love.

Q. How do you come up with the title?

– Coffee and conversation, with someone you can connect with, can be cathartic by enabling emotion
articulation. It’s a heavenly feeling. Hence the title.

Q. Why a self-help book and not fiction?
– Honestly, it’s more reflective in nature than self-help. Self-help is a term coined by readers. Once written, it’s up to the reader what they takeaway or how they interpret it.
My intention was just to express what I felt. This format is something that comes organically. There wasn’t
any plan or strategy behind it at all. No rules or by the book approach. Just allowed the words to flow
naturally & it all came from an honest place.

Q. Do you think it’s more difficult to write self help than fiction?
– Don’t know, as I have not attempted to write fiction. Am not a voracious reader. I prefer audio visual medium over text. No any personal take on it as I haven’t read or written much of fiction

Q. Do you have any experience in writing before Express and Espresso?
– Nope. Not at all. Yet to decipher how writing chose me rather than me choosing it. May be, it’s in the genes, my mom is an established kannada writer

Q. Other authors and their work that inspires you?
– Contrary to popular belief, I don’t read much.
More than books, I like Amish’s talks/interviews. It’s very informative and not preachy. He is quite inspiring. My own enriching life experiences give me enough food for thought.
Following are some of my favorites. Disclaimer: haven’t read them completely
Like Jane Austen’s writing style – connect with it easily. Liked how Margaret Mitchell wrote the unconventional and imperfect but endearing character – Scarlet O’Hara, from Gone with the wind
Liked – spirit of the book – Anne Frank Diary of a young girl

Q. What is the problem as per you faced by Indian authors?
– Can’t speak for all as I have just published one book. Fortunately, I didn’t face any problem. For any author
or any individual for that matter, usual struggle is internal – to break our own in-built inhibitions.
Once, we are clear and sure of what we want –avenues can be figured out.
With all the digital explosion – availability, accessibility and affordability for anyone to write and publish is
quite conducive

Q. Have you started working on your next book?
– Yes, as & when, time and mind permits. Started to publish on my website as well so that it’s accessible and
available anytime for the reader.
Wanna write at my pace without trying to prove a point to anyone. Writing is something I do for myself –
no other agenda. Will be happy if it connects with others

Q. You have mentioned in your book that you are a feminist, your take on feminism?
Don’t remember me mentioning it. I might have touched upon the subject. To avoid getting typecast, tried
my best to cover wide array of topics.
Am a humanist for sure. Whatever applies to humans – should get automatically applied to any gender.
Not a fan of the word ‘feminist’ as it has various interpretations & not all are progressive.
For me, Humanism (includes all gender-ism) is all about – unapologetic freedom of choice and respect
other’s choices

Q. Does your family support your writing?
Luckily, they are extremely supportive. Forever grateful – family is my lifeline.

Q. Where can readers connect to you?
E-mail: arhaakol@gmail.com; Insta : @expressandespresso website : expressandespresso.com