Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live with my cat in a small village in the Netherlands. Juggling a full-time job and a full-time writing career. After years of writing ‘for fun’, I finally took the step to publish my work and share my characters with the world. A HUGE step for me, but after the first nail-biting weeks of waiting for the reviews to trickle in, the best I’ve ever made. I’m generally a rather shy person, and to come out to the world not only as a writer but as one of gay romance novels with a hint of erotica… well it was a big step going from guilty pleasure to actually have my name on the cover. 😉
There is little more rewarding to me than to see other people, strangers, love my characters the way I do. To hear how people enjoy reading my books, and can’t wait for the next book to come out is music to my ears.
Now, I’m four full-length novels further, a side novella and a fifth on the way, and still going strong. Though it’s hard work, it’s also rewarding when I see all the happy responses and reviews.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest installment in the Himura Saga is “Snacks at Sunrise”. And it is a continuation of Remy’s growth that started in “Lunch at Midnight”. He’s had the worst start of life possible, and years of abuse and hardship under his Makers rule has left its traces on him.
I love how he slowly is trying to overcome is past with the help of his new family. I’ve never been a huge fan of stories where characters are traumatised and are magically healed by one touch/kiss/love profession etc. It’s not realistic. I love seeing the struggle, slowly overcoming fears and trauma’s. It makes me want to root for them that much harder if they really need to fight for it. But I also like to see it from different perspectives. In this case Raenef, his Master. He’s as much part of Remy’s journey as he his, and I love to write it from both perspectives.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
To me it’s rather normal, but I usually write behind my desk with my cat sprawled out over my wrists, weighing my arms down. It used to make my hands go to sleep, but they’ve gotten used to it now, and seem to be working fine under the extra weight. The cat I’m sure is doing it simply to bother me, and to make sure I don’t forget him, because he can’t be comfortable at all that way.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to mention. I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember, and loads of it. But I guess my most influential when concerning my own writing was Anne Rice. Before reading her novels I was scared of vampires. She made me see them in a different, more human light. Her characters made me really think about what it was to be immortal, how that might change one’s perspective.
Another huge influence is the Japanese Yaoi and Shounen-ai, or ‘boy’s love’, manga have made a great impact on me. As a straight woman, I never considered being attracted to the prospect of two male characters romantically involved. I have nothing against it, but I also didn’t see why it would attract to me. Until a friend introduced me to ‘boy’s love’. I still can’t explain as to why the attraction, but it’s there. And it was hook, line, and sinker.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently finishing my first draft of book 5 in the Himura Saga, as well as working on an anthology of short stories that never made it to the novels, one of which I hope to be able to publish before the holidays. *fingers crossed*
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Ouch, this is a sore point for me. I’m not a marketeer by any stretch of the imagination. Also, between having a full-time job and my writing time, there’s precious few time left to spend on marketing and such. I have some Amazon adds running every now and then, and I have a Facebook page (please follow me/like me!) but that’s about it. I do have a monthly newsletter in which I share more about my books, my life, and share bonus material, deleted scenes etc.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Don’t get distracted by the business side of it, or the technical side of it. I spent so much time reading books on ‘how to write’ that I didn’t have any time left to actually write. It also discouraged me to no end. So my advice is to write your story first, and then maybe read an article or two on ‘how to write a book’ to fix things up here and there. You can’t edit something that isn’t there.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You can’t edit an empty page” and to join a certain FB group for fellow Indie writers. With them I found a group of likeminded people, helping each other out with advice (mostly through one’s failures but helpful nevertheless).
What are you reading now?
Larissa Ione’s Horsemen series and Nalini Singh’s Changeling series and her Guild Hunter series
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully more novels to come. I hope next year to be able to have a stand at a huge Fantasy festival here in the Netherlands that unfortunately got canceled this year due to Corona.
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?
– “The mummy” by Anne Rice. I’ve read it literally over a dozen times, and I still get goosebumps.
– Dinner at Dawn by yours truly, not because it’s the best bok out there (I’m not that conceited) but it is by far my biggest accomplishment and can motivate me on even my darkest hour.
– Angel’s Blood by Nalini Singh. I’m generally not that much of a fan of female main characters, but Elena is one though lady. Nice to have a bit of fighter mentality with you on a deserted island
– The tao of Pooh. (I bet you didn’t see that one coming, did you) But yes, it’s a nice book to reflect on while stranded. It’s no use fighting things that you can’t change, and it’s good to go with the flow sometimes. Every time I read it, it calms me down, urges me to not let the little things get to me so much.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mariska Slieker Website
Mariska Slieker Amazon Profile
Mariska Slieker’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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