Maciek Sasinowski has recently released his much-anticipated new novel Daughter of Ra, an adventure-packed story that is sure to entertain new and existing fans alike. We caught up with the author to ask him a number of questions about his new book.
If you can pick one word that best describes the Blood of Ra series what would it be and why?
That’s a tough one! There have been many wonderful adjectives that were used by readers to describe the book, but repeating those might seem oddly self-serving. So how about “transcending” for the book’s ability to transcend typical genre boundaries and age demographics? Some of the most rewarding feedback I’ve received came from readers who typically don’t read adventure books, and from senior citizens who delighted in this young adult tale.
Downtime is necessary for many writers and artists to get their creative mojo going. What do you do when it’s time for you to relax and unwind?
I’m an avid reader and movie buff, so picking up a good book or watching a fun movie are great ways for some creative-mojo building. Working out, impromptu music jam sessions with my teen daughter, or just going for a long walk are some other favorites.
How old were you when you decided that you wanted to be a writer, and why?
I’ve loved reading for as long as I can remember, and writing seemed to be a natural extension of reading. I started penning short stories when I was a teen, living in Europe, but being a full-time writer seemed an unreachable dream at that time, so it was difficult to even consider that option. It wasn’t until a couple decades later that I began thinking about it seriously and started planning for this career.
How long did it take for you to write your book and what was the main challenge you faced while writing it?
The first book, Heir of Ra, took almost ten years. The story has been in my head for even longer, but I was too busy with my scientific and clinical career to make serious progress on the manuscript. I wrote on-and-off for a few years, but ultimately realized that in order to finish it, I really had to commit to being a writer. Now that I’m able to write full-time, things go much quicker. The sequel took about six months to complete.
Let’s change it up a bit. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Travel in time. How amazing would it be to see the pyramids being built or to explore what we’ll be like as a space-faring race? Or have a conversation with yourself, twenty years older? What advice would you give yourself?
