Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far, I have written two books (and a bunch of screenplays).
My debut novel, “THE PELICAN”, was released in 2017.
It touches a sensitive subject and goes into the uncomfortable territory of respect, compassion and one’s right to choose how to live out one’s life.
Julia, the main character, is diagnosed with late stage cancer. Having watched her mother fight and fade away over the course of 11 years, she decides to refuse treatment, a step her family would not agree with, much less accept. She does the only thing that makes sense to her – she packs up and runs, without a word or explanation. A controversial, very emotional read. If that’s your sort of thing, get out the tissue boxes.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“WHERE SLEEPING LIES LIE” has just been released.
It’s a romantic suspense novel full of surprise twists and revelations set in Germany. The main character is a German expat who finds herself digging into her family’s past back in a country she has next to no conscious memory of.
Having been born and raised in Germany I was able to draw on my own experiences revisiting childhood memories. The historical events are factual and most of the settings
actually exist in one form or another. The story itself, although entirely fictional, has been inspired by my grandmother who lived through two world wars and their aftermaths. I have always gobbled up her stories of back when she was young and wanted to recreate life as it was for a woman back in the early 19th century.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Depends on the definition of ‘unusual’. I guess for a writer, pretty much anything that keeps the words flowing goes. I work best late at night or early in the morning when everyone in the house is sleeping. I have to have a cup of tea, even though I’ll never get to finish it while it is still warm, let alone hot. My favorite writing buddy is Charlie, a little scruffy terrier mix. He hangs out on my lap with his head on the desk and watches me type until he dozes off and snores.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
That’s a tough one. I’d say Jodi Picoult, in terms of style.
Her way of switching points of view from chapter to chapter having the characters tell the different sides of a story really resonated with me. She is not afraid to touch the most sensitive topics.
J.K. Rowling’s way of foreshadowing events and planting Easter eggs to reveal later doesn’t just work for young readers.
I love Dan Brown’s complex problem-solving and Stephen King’s way of building tension and suspense.
Wally Lamb’s deep and multi-faceted characters and their unique voices are something to aspire to.
These were just of the top of my head, I could go on and on…
What are you working on now?
I’m still in the middle of marketing my recent release and I’m enjoying that process.
Not sure how long I can sit still though.. I already have the next story bouncing around in my head…
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use social media, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
There are so many promo sites out there for different genres and with different requirements. If anyone is interested which ones I used, feel free to message me through social media. I also had two blog tours running, as well as ads on Amazon and Bookbub.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Market and research all the avenues open to you. It’s intimidating, but an absolute necessity.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The first draft sucks!” and it’s perfectly okay.
Don’t worry about it being amazing. Just get that first draft down on paper. Allow yourself to make mistakes and resist the urge to keep going back to fix it there and then.
There will be a lot of changing, deleting and editing, but you won’t have anything to mold into the perfect paragraph if you don’t start writing.
What are you reading now?
I haven’t had much time to pick up a physical book so I’ve just signed up with Audible. I’ve downloaded a few novels, and am looking forward to pressing ‘PLAY’ soon.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully growing my readership and sharing more of my stories with them.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Depends on what mood I am in at that point.
Erich Segal’s ‘Love Story’. Less than 200 pages but just as much subtext between the lines. The book is so much better than the movie by the way.
‘Don’t Let Me Go’ by Catherine Ryan Hyde, brilliant characters who I like to spend time with again and again. And of course any of the classics.
Author Websites and Profiles
M. Naidoo Website
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