Rohan Srinivasan: The Soundtrack of Storytelling
Bay Area Writer Brings Cinematic Vision and Musical Soul to His Debut Novel "An Imagined Life"
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Rohan Srinivasan, an emerging voice in contemporary fiction, represents a new generation of writers who seamlessly blend cultural authenticity with universal storytelling. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Rohan has remained rooted in the region that shaped his creative sensibilities, finding inspiration in the diverse communities and landscapes that define Northern California’s cultural tapestry.
At twenty-four, Rohan brings both youthful perspective and artistic maturity to his craft. His academic foundation in film and television production from the University of Southern California has provided him with a unique understanding of narrative structure and visual storytelling, skills that translate powerfully into his prose. This cinematic sensibility, combined with his natural ear for dialogue and character development, distinguishes his writing from his contemporaries.
Rohan’s journey into professional writing began through his participation in the San Francisco Writers Workshop in 2019, where he first shared his short stories with a receptive audience. This pivotal experience provided the catalyst for his most ambitious project: his debut novel An Imagined Life, which he began crafting in early 2020. The novel has commanded his creative attention for the past five years, representing a sustained artistic commitment that speaks to both his dedication and the work’s complexity. During this period, he has maintained his connection to visual storytelling through short screenplays, several of which he has adapted into films.
Drawing from a rich literary palette that includes Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, and works by R.K. Narayan, Rohinton Mistry, and Vikram Seth, Rohan gravitates toward narratives that prioritize emotional depth and character complexity. His recent literary influences—including Peter Hedges, John Boyne, Fonda Lee, and Haruki Murakami—suggest an evolving artistic vision that may well inform his future projects.
Beyond his literary pursuits, Rohan finds creative fuel in his eclectic musical tastes, which span from Indian classical music to indie rock. His love for expansive walks and thoughtful conversations reflects a contemplative nature that undoubtedly enriches his writing. Perhaps most telling of his creative process is his absolute requirement for music during writing sessions—a ritual that speaks to his understanding of how different art forms can inspire and enhance one another.
While Rohan is known among his peers for his broad musical knowledge and passion for storytelling, those who know him might be surprised to discover that he cannot begin any writing session without his carefully curated soundtrack playing in the background. This intersection of auditory and literary arts continues to influence his distinctive voice as he prepares to share his debut novel with the world.
You take on some heavy and complex topics in your novel, “An Imagined Life.” Can you discuss what inspired you to explore these themes?
I wish I could say that the range of topics explored in my novel was planned out from the start. But this humongous, complex story came from a place of letting go and allowing my mind to tell me what emotions and ideas I needed to explore. I had ambition for the story’s scope when I began writing, but I never could have predicted that the book would become what it has. I say this especially in regard to the connection built between the two speculative aspects of the novel—the Imagined and the Town. Nostalgia—and the reinterpretation and romanticization of childhood memories—has caused me great comfort and distress, depending on the time of my life I was at. Additionally, the South Asian immigrant community I grew up in has provided me with a solid foundation of values but has also caused me significant confusion as to what the boundaries of culture are. I used to believe that these two volatile pieces of my life always functioned independently of each other before embarking on this novel. By freeing my mind during the writing process, I’ve come to discover how the two work in tandem: the way individual memory reshapes as we get older parallels how collective cultural ideas reform within each successive generation of immigrant communities. It’s wonderful what you can learn about the world and yourself once you summon the courage to leap into the unknown.
How do you balance your artistic integrity with the expectations of the market and the publishing industry?
I have always prioritized artistic integrity above everything else. A huge reason why I decided to self-publish my book was because I knew I needed to take creative control of my story: I could not alter my work to what the industry wanted. My goal in life has always been to be a great artist, and I define that as someone who uses their work to interpret themselves and the world in a way that hasn’t been done before. Focusing on market trends will never let me achieve this. It will never let me fully use my work to tap deeper into my mind and emotions. It might be possible to some degree, but listening to the imaginary opinions of an audience that you have no relationship with will never let you completely sink into your work and use it to better yourself.
Marketing the novel has only further confirmed this belief. I had a vision for who I believed my book would speak to: South Asians between the ages of 18 and 35. Never did I expect that my book would appeal to people of all races and ages, from all over the country. You can never predict who your story will resonate with. You will drive yourself mad if you try to. Your instincts and intuition are the only things that you can always be certain of and are what should ultimately guide your work.
While this is your debut novel, it seems you've always had a taste for stories and storytelling. What drove you to write a novel in particular, and will you be exploring other mediums later?
The novel came as a surprise to me too. Though I used to be a voracious reader, I studied film in college and believed that I would be writing screenplays. However, when I began thinking of the characters and world within An Imagined Life, I knew that the vision I had for this story was too large, too untamed, to be contained within a screenplay. Even if I somehow managed to fit it into a feature-length script, the budget to achieve what I wanted would be astronomical. I needed to tell Akash’s tale immediately—I couldn’t wait for years and years until I could maybe scrounge up enough money. I began this book prioritizing the needs of the story, not aspiring for a career in fiction. I am a storyteller first and will always be open to the medium that best supports what I need to say to the world.
Being an author is a difficult career choice, especially for underrepresented writers. What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them? How do you think your unique perspective contributes to the broader literary landscape?
I could write another book—probably of equal length or more—detailing the struggles along this journey. “Difficult” doesn’t quite capture the emotional toll this process has taken on me—personally and professionally.
The hardest challenge has been (and still is) believing in myself, day in and day out. I am lucky to be surrounded by supportive family and friends, but the work of completing the book was incredibly lonely. Coming from a community where barely any pursue an artistic field (and even fewer take the chance on their own art), I struggle to find my way without a mentor who can guide me. I believe that this is a battle all artists have to face at some point in their career. Fighting for one’s lane—taking a bold chance on oneself—is the only way us artists will be able to create projects that are wholeheartedly our own. It is what distinguishes us and our work.
However, self-criticism and humility are equally important traits artists must have in order to improve their work. Finding a balance between self-belief and self-criticism is something I grappled with constantly while writing the novel. Without any previous publications that could prove to me that I would find the end of the road, I truly didn’t know whether I would be able to make it or not. The book is complete, but the mental battle is still ongoing with marketing. Hopefully, I will be able to offer better advice one day on how to overcome this.
Nevertheless, I can confidently say that if I didn’t take the risks that I had, I wouldn’t have produced the version of my book that is now published. This novel comes from years and years of searching within myself—digging into my heart and understanding what matters to me, what confuses me, what motivates me to live. My book is a portal to my innermost thoughts, fears, and flaws. Whether this perspective adds to the literary landscape or not is up to the readers. But I have done my job, and I have done it with as much individuality as possible.
What do you hope your book will leave your readers with when they read it?
After publishing the book and receiving feedback from readers, I’ve realized that everyone relates to something different within the story. Some love a specific section or scene, some resonate with the larger cultural understandings at play, and some are simply touched by a character arc. The book weaves together a complex tapestry of themes, symbols, and plots, so I’m not surprised that I’ve had such varied responses. I can’t predict what readers will connect with, but I hope some aspect of the story reaches their heart. I hope it makes them view life a little differently, helps them empathize with someone they didn’t think they could feel for, or even provides them an emotional release they didn’t know they needed. I hope the story saves them even a fraction of how it has saved me.
I wonder if you could share about your experience of traveling around to promote your book? The highs/lows, takeaways, what you would do differently, and if you have any advice for new authors who might be considering selling their books in person.
I am now over halfway done with my tour, and I’ve had the great privilege of visiting many cities—Austin, Seattle, Chicago, and Boston, to name a few. I don’t take this experience for granted and consider myself lucky to have met such a diverse range of readers. Though there are of course moments of loneliness that come with traveling, the tour has been a much needed break from the solitude of writing. I definitely feel rejuvenated to get back to my desk once my travels wrap up.
A lot of event prep comes from experience. I try to refine my setup, pitch, and presentation before each stop based on how the previous engagements were. One recommendation I would give to other authors: Make sure your pitch is bulletproof. Each sentence needs to engage, be easy to follow, and keep high stakes/tension. Confidence goes a long way when selling—readers will only take a chance on your work when they see you’re selling a story you believe in.
Can you tell us about your future projects?
One of the most exciting parts of finishing my novel was freeing up my brain to allow for new characters, worlds, and story ideas. Every day, thoughts about my next project bounce around my head. I have the beginning ideas for my sophomore novel—the same amount that I had before I began An Imagined Life—but I also know that I have to be realistic with my career. Having gone through this five-year process, I am very familiar with the effort and sacrifice needed to see a book through. I hope to continue creating for the public (I will always write for myself), but it depends on how this novel does. If the world decides it wants more of my writing, I promise that I will do everything in my power to push myself with my work. I will dedicate myself to my future projects—dreaming bigger than I already have and not stopping until I’ve reached my full potential as an artist. Life is limitless, and I hope to discover as much about it as I possibly can through my work. So, readers, all I can say for now is let’s see where this journey takes me! I am just as curious as you may be.
To stay up to date with all Rohan is doing, follow him on his website or Instagram.
What a compelling interview with Rohan. I had never heard of him before and now am compelled to read his novel. I especially liked this line, which has taken me over a decade to learn: "I am a storyteller first and will always be open to the medium that best supports what I need to say to the world."