Robin Murarka was born in Canada, but currently resides in Sydney, Australia. Our next guest published his first novel Akin in the summer. The cover of the book is really attractive. If you want to know more about the inner part don’t waste any time, and take a look in the following interview.

– What is your debut book Akin about?
– Akin revolves around a young man who awakens in his small, desert village to voices he both fears and is attracted to. Due to the strongly cultural and religious environment he is surrounded by, his behavior is met with hostility, and he is soon launched on an adventure in this archaic world, witnessing both incredible beauty and a deafening brutality. The novel is epic in its grandeur, and contains no fantasy or supernatural elements despite bridging that elusive gap between a fable and the real world.

– How did you decide to write the story?
– I have always been inclined towards creativity and gravitated naturally towards prose. That isn’t to say I was always confident or proficient at it, but in 2005 something changed in me quite suddenly and whatever creative elements were waiting to find their footing, did. In 2009 I began writing Akin and finished it approximately 5 years later.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– Maintaining the rest of my life during the long stretch. As any person who has taken a grand risk on themselves will attest to, it is a learned ability to generate and maintain a sense of self-confidence when the doubts scream seemingly rational thoughts at you. In the end, it is the abstract creature that is passion that whispers you through.
– Tell us something more about your main character? Is it close to someone from your real life?
– I try not to divulge too much information about stories I want people to experience fully, but suffice to say that Aydan is someone that stays with me, as if he really existed in some time and place, and is now a memorable friend I once knew and often think about. He isn’t based on anyone I know. The characters I write come from some place within that I don’t fully understand yet, but greatly enjoy working with.
– How much time did you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– It took me about four years to finish the novel, and then about a year of editing and copy editing. As this is a standalone, very important work to me, it was more than just writing it; I wanted it polished and pristine in its written and visual presentation before it was published.
– Do you remember the exact moment when you decided to start the writing of the novel?
– Roughly, yes. But that’s a personal event that I won’t share right now.
– Who are you?
– I am Robin Murarka. An entity not so different from you, albeit with different experiences, purposes and motivations.
– What are your writing habits?
– I don’t really have any. When I am inspired, I write passionately.
– When we will see your next novel?
– Sometime. I am working on it in between promoting Akin, but having people read Akin is my priority right now.
– You traveled a lot in Canada and Australia. Please rate the Top three most interesting places in both countries that people rarely heard about them?
– Exmouth is an amazing place in Australia. The drive from Exmouth to Darwin is equally abstract and lovely. In Canada, a place few people will ever visit or know about is a small town called ‘Amos’ in Northern Quebec. I grew up around there, and it will always be a familiar environment. The best poutine in the world, in my opinion.
– As a part of computer generation and a professional programmer what is your opinion on the fact that our kids and young people prefer more the technology compared to books?
– I prefer to use technology where it makes life more efficient and does not detract from the human experience. I can’t really comment on how kids benefit or lose from the vast amounts of technology that is available, but I can attest to the importance of moments of silent reflection.
– If you may ask yourself one question in the interview what it will be? (Don’t forget to answer)
– What is something unexpected that you’ve learned about the world of publishing? It is very similar, I surmise, to the film business, but on a smaller scale.

Learn more about Robin Murarka at his Web page
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Take a look at his book

Akin