I have the extreme pleasure of interviewing Mason Sabre, an exceptionally talented writer, who is taking the shifter world by storm. He has recently released the DARK VEIL, third novel in his shifter series, the Society Novels, with two more on the way, and what I hope to be many more. I've been reading Mason's word-magic since the release of Watch Over You and have found myself entranced ever since.
Please help me welcome Mason Sabre to my humble abode, and we will delve into the mind of this creative man.
I’ve heard you mention you began writing at a very early age. Are any of those stories still around? Do you have copies of them still, and is there any chance we’ll see some of them become novels?
Most of them are long gone. I do have a comic book I wrote when I was small. I must have been maybe 6 when I wrote it. About a penguin and a mouse who lived together. I’d doubt it can be published haha. But I might scan it up on day. I also have a newspaper cutting of my I want to be a doctor story that won first place when I was 5 and ¾ according to my signature haha.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Haha a doctor or a writer. Those things never changed.
Many children dream about being superheroes…Who did you want to be?
I wanted to be superman. I used to get my brothers blanket and tie it around my neck and try for hours to fly by jumping off chairs. I got so upset that I couldn’t.
Do you have a special time to write? Any unique writing habits?
No I’d not say I have any habits as such. Although I do like to write everything by hand first so maybe that is one. And no special time to write either. I’d write all day every day if I could, but my uni work kind of takes priority just now. Although I do journal right after my exercise in the morning.
Tell us about the cover and how it came about.
I assume you mean Dark Veil? I use an Artist called Kellie Dennis. She is damn good at them.
You write paranormal and shifter stories, what draws you to this genre? Why the wolf?
Wow, I have loved this genre since forever. Underworld is one of my fvourite series. Rise of the Lycans being my favourite. I’m not sure why the wolf really. I think it is something to do with their eyes. They always look like they know things and are strong, yet they live in packs and love fiercely.
When a story comes to you, do you see it in it’s fully fleshed out form (beginning to end) or do you begin with an idea or a scene and see where the story goes? Do you work to an outline or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
Ha, usually I see something big or the end maybe. And then it kind of builds from there. My entire series was based on the thought of what happens to the soul when someone becomes a vampire? Of course now it is a long way off before that book comes out, but it was my original book one.
Where do your ideas come from?
My brain hahaha. I have no idea to be honest. My weird and wonderful thoughts. Watch over you came from an idea of how homeless people could have free coffees.
Do you have any authors who are influences in your work?
Tons. Every author whose book I have read I would say. Joe Hill, Stephen King, Kelley Armstrong, Laurell K Hamilton, Veronica Roth, Dean Koontz, James Herbert. They’re probably who I read the most.
When you read for pleasure, what genre do you prefer? Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book or series?
It ranges on my mood to be honest. Stephen King is my most favourite auther. I have every book of his, but I love the Sookie Stakehouse series, I love the otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong and I love the Anita Blake series by Hamilton. I also love the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz.
What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
Getting the time to do it. I have just been doing my dissertation at the same time for my final year of university. Of course I timed it all wrong and had my book due out at the same time.
What is the easiest thing about the writing process?
Thinking up stories haha. God I swear my mind busts with them
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It really depends on what else I am doing. I can write around 10k words a day if I have no uni work to do. So the fastest I ever wrote a book was in ten days.
Is there a message in your novel that you hope readers will grasp?
That we’re all equal. No matter what. To stop with labels.
How much research do you do?
Haha not a lot. I researched on the way the animals moved, but that’s it really.
Give us an insight into your main character. What do they do that is so special?
Depends which one haha. I would say to me Stephen is my main, main character. But I think that because he is mostly based on me now. The way he thinks and acts. Protects everyone who is dear to him and stands for no one hurting them.
We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist? Was there a real-life inspiration for your character?
Well I just mentioned Stephen before, so me really. I think all my characters are little bits of myself. Phoenix for sure is my younger self.
In all of your books, who is your favorite character and why?
Stephen haha. Because he is so damn fun to write. And Henry, but readers haven’t met him yet.
Which of your male characters do you feel characterizes you the best, if any?
Haha. I’m getting repetitive here. Can you guess who?
If you could be one of your characters, which one would you choose?
And Stephen again …. God I sound like a broken record haha.
A good villain is hard to write. How did you get in touch with your inner villain(s) to write this book?
It’s easy. I base them off my dad.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Has to be the chapter where Phoenix is being tortured in Dark Veil. I think that is because it shows a lot about him and makes him grow from the boy he is into the man he will become.
What is/are your future project(s)?
God so many. I am working on Exile just now. But also 4 people have bought the chance for me to write them a book, so I will be on with them soon too.
Which of your characters would you want to have a beer with?
Haha I’m not sure really. All of them.
You’ve met a lot of famous musicians? Which ones figure prominently in your mind? Who is left on your bucket list to meet?
Haha I have met so many. My most wanted to meet was Jonathan Davis of Korn. His songs say a lot for me and I wanted to meet the man who wrote and sang them. I think that was probably my bucket list person.
If you had three wishes…
To be the best person I can be.
To live a long time so that I can see all the wonderful moments in my children’s lives as well as their children’s and onwards.
To see the Christmas tree in New York be lit.
WOW, thank you for sitting down with me for a little chat. I'm always so incredibly curious about the person behind the pen, and love these unique glimpses to what goes on in a writer's mind.
Thank you Mason Sabre for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions. I know the release of Dark Veil came upon another great milestone and wish you the best of luck in both your writing adventures and your scholarly pursuits.
For those of you who don't know…Mason hit publish on his dissertation days from the release of Dark Veil, the third novel in the Society Series. He's achieving all his childhood dreams (except the flying!).
Congratulations and I look forward to reading many more MASON SABRE adventures!
THIS was my first journey into Mason's fabulous worlds. WATCH OVER YOU hooked me for good!
Interested in BUYING?
Dark Veil Links:
Amazon .com http://tinyurl.com/DarkVeilUSA
Amazon UK http://tinyurl.com/DarkVeilUK
Phoenix Links:
UK http://tinyurl.com/phoenixuk
US http://tinyurl.com/risephoenixus
Goodreads TBR Link: https://www.goodreads.com/…/25495548-the-rise-of-the-phoeni…
Cade Links:
US http://tinyurl.com/cade-USA
UK http://tinyurl.com/uk-Cade
Hidden pre order links
Amazon. com http://tinyurl.com/hiddenUSA
Amazon UK http://tinyurl.com/hiddenUK
Watch Over You
US – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NLXA256/
UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NLXA256/
Goodreads TBR Link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23245726-watch-over-you…
Feel Like STALKING?
Website/Blog
http://www.masonsabre.com
Facebook Author Page
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMasonSabre
Facebook Fan Page
https://www.facebook.com/msabre3
Fan Group ~ Closed
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sabrecave/
Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/…/e/B00NMWQW…/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1…
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8570971.Mason_Sabre
Twitter
https://twitter.com/MasonSabre