I’m not going to tell you how many books I read, my height and how far I run each day like certain authors, because I am actually quite regular in my own eyes. I’m a South African author with Italian red wine pumping through my veins. I love cooking - and yes, dishes don’t scare me. I am an architectural designer and absolutely love the creative freedom it allows.
All of us have heavy storms in our lives, but mine always seem to end with the most beautiful rainbow. My writing is one such miracle of light that came about after a dark stage, and it afforded me the ability to dig deep into my heart and mind when creating characters that are real.
My princes are my life, and I’m proud of the absolute gentlemen they have become.
Q ~ What’s something that you never leave home without?
My cell phone. With it I have 24/7 access to everything…including you J
Q ~ If you were stuck on a deserted island, who and what would you want with you and why?
Who: my boys. What: rope to build tree houses and a play area.
Q ~ Are you a dog person, a cat person, or does some other critter strike your fancy?
I’d have to say a cat, although I used to have a tortoise called Jimmy.
Q ~ How do you think people perceive authors?
They love us.
Q ~ What is your favourite genre to read? To write?
Even though I mainly write romance, I don’t read it. I find that most characters are unrealistic and lack substance, and throwing excessive sex in just to follow trend or sell books makes no sense at all. I’m an incurable romantic, but what is out there is far from it. Books don’t influence me as much as movies as I am a very visual writer. Each scene I write, I picture in 3D.
I generally read suspense but have been drawn to paranormal on the odd occasion. The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings are still my favourites.
Q ~ Do you have a personal support system? Who are your biggest supporters in life and in your endeavours?
In writing I have my editor, beta, and a select few totally insane writer friends. They understand me when the rest of the world doesn’t. My (far) superior other half is amazing, supportive, and actually takes the time to listen to my ramblings. She also adores my kitchen experiments.
In life, my father. No matter how many times my actions make him face palm, he will never turn his back on me. He is my role model and mentor. My mother has super-human abilities which came in handy while raising me as a child.
Q ~ Do you have any writing rituals that you follow? What is your go-to snack while writing?
I have no rituals other than having food in my tummy and a glass of wine. The advice of doing a certain amount of words every day doesn’t work for me, but when in full swing I can easily write 15k over a weekend.
Snack: I’m on a diet J
Q ~ Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Each story I start has a definite opening and closing line and a skeleton. As I go, I add meat and muscle. And after my editor has shed blood, I apply the skin and makeup. So, basically, I am probably a bit of both and allow my characters the freedom to lead the way at times.
Q ~ What is your favourite part or scene in the novel?
There are many, but one that stands out is when the jaw-dropping Ukiyo has the blind courage to dive at an oncoming train, only to pass through a portal into another world that exists within her own. That’s where all the fun begins.
Q ~ What was the most difficult part of the process while writing Blud - Ukiyo?
Finding a combination of 26 letters that will keep the reader hooked.
Q ~ Can you give us a bit of background information on the novel and how it came about?
I write romance, and after My African Dream, my editor challenged me to write a book in a different genre. Urban Fantasy was chosen, and my creative juices dried up completely. I was stumped. But after a few days spent with my father, I pondered the idea of Europe and eventually decided on Slavic mythology as the foundation for the Blud series. From there I leaned towards London, a place I was familiar with having lived there for a few years, and made it the stage where my characters would play out their roles. Ukiyo is a cocky professor and African-Asian Brit, while Buri is a daft demon following the ways of old… The outcome is a combination of fun and nail-biting intrigue… I hope.
Q ~ What characters did you find yourself especially drawn to and why?
Mia, a twelve-year-old Asian girl. The ‘adults’ are so consumed with their tunnel-vision drama and she carries on as normal, but later offers solutions with the clarity and simplicity of a child. Basically, she’s as cool as my sons.
Q ~ Do you have anything in the works at the moment? Care to give us a hint about it?
Other than the next two books in the Blud series, yes I do. Even though my current is Urban Fantasy, romance is a part of me and always will be. Three outlined stories are waiting patiently and cover subjects such as communal living, second chances, and then an interesting look at online dating. There are also a few co-writes and the promise to write a children’s series with my princes. That should keep me busy until the end of the year… Ha-ha.
Q ~ If you could give aspiring authors one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t conform…write what is inside.
Recipes are rules meant to be broken!
Mario Saincic is a South African born multi-genre author with a passion for life. Starting off in restaurant kitchens and ending up as an architectural designer, he savours every moment, which is apparent in his writing style.
"Inspiration appears at the strangest of times - embrace it."
Archaeology professor by day, backup shooter by night…
On a routine assignment, Ukiyo finds herself dragged into a world of danger and deception when she is forced to pull the trigger and kill a man. Torn between the agency that funds her research and a man she knows nothing about, she has to choose sides in a secret war that dates back hundreds of years.
Guardian, protector, and her own personal demon…
Burislav vowed to watch over her, but hiding his cursed birth right ends up being a secret that could cost Ukiyo her life. When he’s forced out of the shadows after more than twenty years, keeping her safe isn’t as easy as he thinks.
Mario Saincic is a South African born multi-genre author with a passion for life. Starting off in restaurant kitchens and ending up as an architectural designer, he savours every moment, which is apparent in his writing style.
"Inspiration appears at the strangest of times - embrace it."
On a routine assignment, Ukiyo finds herself dragged into a world of danger and deception when she is forced to pull the trigger and kill a man. Torn between the agency that funds her research and a man she knows nothing about, she has to choose sides in a secret war that dates back hundreds of years.
Guardian, protector, and her own personal demon…
Burislav vowed to watch over her, but hiding his cursed birth right ends up being a secret that could cost Ukiyo her life. When he’s forced out of the shadows after more than twenty years, keeping her safe isn’t as easy as he thinks.
Book Links
And now, enter this fantastic giveaway with Mario Saincic & Ukiyo.
Contest is open internationally, where applicable by law.
Entries close at 11:59pm July 24/15.
Winners will be drawn July 25/15.
Winners will be notified via email to the email provided to the giveaway and will have 72h to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn.
Sounds like a fascinating book, will be adding to my TBR!
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