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INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
What initially got you interested in writing?
I have been writing in some way shape or form since high school. I write to figure out what I know.
How did you decide to make the move into being a published author?
After years of journals, myspace blogs, livejournals, facebook notes and other random blog postings I was brazen enough back in November of 2007 to believe I could write a book. (Two Ways to Sunday) I think my ignorance saved me, because if I knew what that would actually entail I would have stuck with writing quick 500 word blogs about the New York Mets.
What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?
I want them to connect with my main character. Maybe they don’t agree with all of his decisions. Perhaps they don’t even like him at times but at the end of the book they understand and are invested in the outcome. Anything more than that would suggest I am a more talented writer.
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
It’s the only time when lying is celebrated. I am making all of this up and the reader is on board with it.
What do you find most challenging about writing?
Not knowing if what I’m doing is good or a total waste of time and effort.
What advice would you give to people want to enter the field?
Don’t make this your full time job. I get it and I want it myself: The dream of not having an alarm clock, battling traffic or wearing pants. It’s a noble dream to live the life of your own choosing. But if you do that you’re selling yourself short. Working a full time job gives you exposure to countless people and situations that can only inform your work. How can you write dialogue if you’re not in contact with folks of different ages/backgrounds/viewpoints? How can you climb into the head of your main character if you’re only exposed to your small circle? Work a full time job, be miserable and use all of that to write something you can be proud of.
And if everyone hates it bask in the knowledge that at some point they will all die and a whole new group of people can judge your work.
What ways can readers connect with you?
I’m on the Facebook – @TomStarita, the Twitter, @TomStarita, the Instagram @TomStarita and my blog – www.Goppygots.com
ABOUT THE BOOK
Author Asks If It’s Possible To Change And If So, Why Would We Want To?
January 20, 2017—For years, author Tom Starita has heard from teachers, colleagues and family the importance of growing up. Maturity is a virtue, according to the majority of the western world and he puts that to the test in his breakout novel, Growth and Change Are Highly Overrated.
The book captures the journey forced upon Lucas James when his fiancée decides she was done supporting him while he chased his Rock-n-roll dream. Suddenly, he has to figure out how to survive on his own. Where does one find a job? How do you procure an apartment? Is there a magic formula for keeping the lights on? Growth and Change Are Highly Overrated is a comedic look at growing up with a surprise amount of heart mixed in.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Starita, a notorious free spirit, gave birth to the main character, Lucas James over the course of a snowed-in weekend. Mining the worst characteristics of himself and liberally borrowing from those around him, Starita created a character that explores how to live life on your own terms while coming to grips with the collateral damage.
Like Brooklyn, Starita’s resumé is diverse ranging from teaching religion, Sales, working for the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, and now helping foreign exchange students find homes in America. “The common thread among all my jobs is having personal experiences with a large cross section of America. The rationale behind people’s decisions has always fascinated me, and writing this book allowed me to carry that to the most extreme level.”
This is the second novel for Starita who writes in his spare time and remains a loyal New York Mets fan.