Interview with Author Michael Mohan Joshua – Ramona Portelli Blog

Interview with Author Michael Mohan Joshua

Michael Mohan Joshua was thrown into this strange world with his earliest memory being that of being two years old and at the birth of his little sister in Lahore, Pakistan in 1973.  Spending his childhood chasing cricket dreams, everything was shattered to those early dreams when he, along with his family migrated for “a better life” to West Michigan, United States of America in 1981— (eventually, he became fond and familiar with several other sports growing up in the States)— but he had to find his calling in another endeavour all at the young age of  7 ½.

In elementary school, Michael was allowed to skip 2nd grade, a blessing and a curse he feel in his development amongst his peers in his teenage years.  He always had to act advanced because he was placed in that situation.  He excelled in high school, earning 9 varsity letters, Senior Class President and Homecoming King and The Regents Scholarship to The University of Michigan, where he did his undergraduate studies, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (emphasis in pre-med) and Film & Video Studies

During his 3rd year at U of M, after taking the MCAT for medical schools, he decided to instead pursue a path in filmmaking and the arts.  He had decided, though a noble profession, he did not want to dedicate himself 24/7 to medicine, but he could devote that time and energy to being a poet, photographer, filmmaker, auteur, author. 

Just recently (2019), he completed two Masters Degrees in Film Production and Digital Marketing from Full Sail University.  Although he has produced a feature film, published several books, photographed innumerable number of photos in the past, he feels going into the future is just beginning.  However, with the Coronavirus, everything is going to have to be rethought and redone.  Movies for one are shutdown until at least they get this pandemic under control, but even afterwards, he is unsure he will ever direct and produce another feature film in his life.  He is simply hoping so.

Ramona: Tell me more about your latest book

Michael Mohan Joshua: ‘LOOK THE OTHER WAY’ is a story I initially created with Pat Foley, a fellow writer from Detroit, Michigan area in 2003.  We wrote it with the intention that we could produce and direct on our own if need be, but we were looking for production companies to buy it from us and have us enter the doors of Hollywood as screenwriters. 

Cut to 15 years later and the book version of the screenplay is published via Rose Dog Books and I was all ready to produce and direct this summer.  But now with the pandemic here, we must get through this first.

Ramona: What was the most challenging aspect of writing?

Michael Mohan Joshua:  We wanted to create a great work of drama, this was the 4th screenplay I had written at the time, so the most challenging thing back then was coordinating our schedules to write and discuss the story/plot lines.  And then for me to keep with this work for the past 17 years now, that was probably the most challenging aspect, getting critiqued and analysed by industry professionals along the way to editing the finished product

Ramona: What motivated you to become an author?

Michael Mohan Joshua: As they inspired so many countless, Jack Kerouac/Allen Ginsberg and the entire thought process of the beat generation inspired me to pursue the arts, but great film auteurs such D.W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Orson Welles, John Ford, Sir David Lean, John Cassavetes, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen and Quentin Tarantino (I get inspiration from others creations and work ethics)  I wear several hats other than just author.   Also, it is in my blood as both my grandfathers were heavily involved with the arts in India and Pakistan.

Ramona: What brought you to write your books? 

Michael Mohan Joshua:  I really do not enjoy the process of first starting out to write a book.  It is just a lot of mind work, but I chose this path for my life, I feel I better do it to my best ability.  When I was younger, I wrote quite a bit, now as I am aging, I am editing and sharing with the digital audience.  

Ramona: How many books have you written so far?

Michael Mohan Joshua: I have had 7 books published and one screenplay produced into a feature film

WITH NOBODY https://youtu.be/B2TFdDgAoFo (feature film screenplay) ***unpublished

Being 2000
More information: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1930916477/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_CmnJEbR63SF9Q

Life of a Photographer

Life of a Photographer (Americanaphoto Book 1)
by Amazon.com Services LLC
Learn more: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00BS25A5E/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_TnnJEb41ESK2A

Ramblings and Other Thoughts: A Collection of Modern Poetry

RAMBLINGS and Other Thoughts: A Collection of Modern Poetry
by Amazon.com Services LLC
Learn more: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01LAQRMIU/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_vpnJEbSTYNDMD

WALKING and THINKING in MANHATTAN (Rambling and Other Thoughts Book 2)
WALKING and THINKING in MANHATTAN (Rambling and Other Thoughts Book 2)
by Amazon.com Services LLC
Learn more: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01N2ZZW0K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_1qnJEb5N654H4

Southfield: Blues in Red

Southfield: Blues in Red
by Amazon.com Services LLC
Learn more: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B079K48CBX/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_gsnJEbM7TYSPA

Look the Other Way
Look the Other Way
by Amazon.com Services LLC
Learn more: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07N1FY2H3/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_JtnJEbFYQ5Z16  

Talking With GOD for No Reason
Talking With GOD for No Reason
by Amazon.com Services LLC
Learn more: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07TFKFM3V/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_WzkIEbEAZ3JKV

Ramona: What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing? 

Michael Mohan Joshua: Well you cannot count out the BIBLE, just in terms of stories and storytelling.  But in my own personal life ON THE ROAD by Jack Kerouac shouted at me to pursue writing as a career.

Ramona: What is your advice for aspiring writers?  

Michael Mohan Joshua: I do not want to give any advice on writing except just do it, and stop the procrastination.  In terms of writing you are limited by nothing more than your imagination.  And every writer is a rewriter.  Each project you create and release to an audience defines and lives with you.  Oh… and then there is also the real world to contend with… be careful and stay healthy in this New World Order!

Visit Michael Mohan Joshua book links:-

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=Michael+Mohan+Joshua

www.entropy.photography

www.talkingwithgodfornoreason.com

This is my photography page

You are invited to view photographs from my “Entropy” group.

Please feel free to share it with friends and family.
Entropy

One comment

  1. Well done Ramona Portelli!!

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