Ask the Author: Bianca Marais
Answered Questions (9)
Bianca Marais
Thanks so much, Dan! Appreciate it! xx
Bianca Marais
Hi Sarah-Jane!! I'm so glad you enjoyed the book - thank you so much for taking the time to reach out. I'm counting down the sleeps until I can move into a haunted old manor with all my besties so we can age disgracefully together! I'm already practicing giving a lot fewer f*cks about what everyone else things, and caring more about what I think. I'm also working on those salves for all the aches and pains. LOL. Did you do the Which Witch are You Quiz??? Would love to know that answer! And suspect you would enjoy my next book that's coming out in a month, so please look out for that! xxx There's currently a Goodreads giveaway running for it!
Bianca Marais
Hi Tania,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out with such lovely feedback - I appreciate it!
To answer your question, there won't be a third story in terms of the South African stories. I've addressed everything I wanted to say about South Africa in my first two novels. Also, after much listening, I've decided not to be writing from black character's perspectives any more. I believe in the Own Voices movement, and would like to see these stories being told by those who have lived them and have a claim to them.
I'm polishing up a third novel now which is a major genre change for me. It's a psychological thriller with dual narratives. I'm hoping my existing readers will enjoy it despite the change in genre.
Thanks again for the lovely words,
B.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out with such lovely feedback - I appreciate it!
To answer your question, there won't be a third story in terms of the South African stories. I've addressed everything I wanted to say about South Africa in my first two novels. Also, after much listening, I've decided not to be writing from black character's perspectives any more. I believe in the Own Voices movement, and would like to see these stories being told by those who have lived them and have a claim to them.
I'm polishing up a third novel now which is a major genre change for me. It's a psychological thriller with dual narratives. I'm hoping my existing readers will enjoy it despite the change in genre.
Thanks again for the lovely words,
B.
Bianca Marais
Owls are big in South African lore. In HUM, the owls are seen as harbingers of death and are referenced as such.
In LAUGH, Zodwa has a dream about two white owls that turns out to be prophetic.
Also, I love owls! LOL.
In LAUGH, Zodwa has a dream about two white owls that turns out to be prophetic.
Also, I love owls! LOL.
Bianca Marais
Hi Daniel,
Thank you so much for reading LAUGH and for this wonderful feedback - I appreciate it and the interest you have in South Africa's history.
My first novel, 'Hum If You Don't Know the Words', is set in 1976 when apartheid was at its height. It will give you a lot more context as to how bad things were in South Africa at that time.
Trevor Noah's 'Born a Crime' is a must read! As is Nelson Mandela's 'Long Walk to Freedom'. 'Down Second Avenue' by Es'kia Mphahlele and 'Mother to Mother' by Sindiwe Magona. Anything by JM Coetzee and Nadine Gordimer, as well as 'The Power of One' by Bryce Courtney.
I hope that helps and thank you again for reading!
Thank you so much for reading LAUGH and for this wonderful feedback - I appreciate it and the interest you have in South Africa's history.
My first novel, 'Hum If You Don't Know the Words', is set in 1976 when apartheid was at its height. It will give you a lot more context as to how bad things were in South Africa at that time.
Trevor Noah's 'Born a Crime' is a must read! As is Nelson Mandela's 'Long Walk to Freedom'. 'Down Second Avenue' by Es'kia Mphahlele and 'Mother to Mother' by Sindiwe Magona. Anything by JM Coetzee and Nadine Gordimer, as well as 'The Power of One' by Bryce Courtney.
I hope that helps and thank you again for reading!
Bianca Marais
Apologies for the very late reply. I only saw this now for some reason! Really hope you enjoyed HUM, Jean!
Bianca Marais
Hi Linda,
Firstly, thank you so much for recommending HUM to your library! I really appreciate it.
And then, absolutely! I'd love to Skype with you; I love chatting with book clubs and try to accommodate as many of them as I can. Please just mail me at hum.bookclub@gmail.com to set up the date a few weeks in advance.
Fingers crossed that they pick it and thanks again.
Firstly, thank you so much for recommending HUM to your library! I really appreciate it.
And then, absolutely! I'd love to Skype with you; I love chatting with book clubs and try to accommodate as many of them as I can. Please just mail me at hum.bookclub@gmail.com to set up the date a few weeks in advance.
Fingers crossed that they pick it and thanks again.
Bianca Marais
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback and for being in touch.
For me, Robin’s and Beauty’s stories are far from over and I really hope I build up enough of a readership that I do get to publish the sequel one day.
In the mean time, prepare to see a cameo appearance by Robin and Beauty (which takes place in 1996) in my latest novel ‘If You Want to Make God Laugh’ which will be published next year.
B
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback and for being in touch.
For me, Robin’s and Beauty’s stories are far from over and I really hope I build up enough of a readership that I do get to publish the sequel one day.
In the mean time, prepare to see a cameo appearance by Robin and Beauty (which takes place in 1996) in my latest novel ‘If You Want to Make God Laugh’ which will be published next year.
B
Bianca Marais
Hi Shannon! I'm also sorry that I didn't get to meet you in person, but Literati is such a stunning store and Ann Arbor such a beautiful town that I definitely plan to be back. If you end up in Toronto at some point, please be in touch. It would be lovely to see you.
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