Author’s literal happy ending
EVA Mazza admits she lost her “mojo” during the Covid pandemic.
So much so the author of hit books such as Sex, Lies & Stellenbosch, and Sex, Lies Declassified says she almost walked away from writing the final instalment of her trilogy.
“I began writing the third book during Covid and after Christine (not part of the series) was published, but I shelved it,” says Mazza.
“I had lost my mojo during Covid. I felt the despair and impact of those two years quite acutely. My book Declassified didn’t take off as I had expected and its slow movement was enough to demotivate me from pursuing the third book.
“I was dealing with loss and grief.
I was in a huge depression, and disappointed by the missed opportunity of readers grabbing a ‘great escape’ in a time when it was very needed, perplexed me because I felt the ball had been dropped and the momentum lost.”
Mazza says she stepped out of her funk in January and was able to continue with Sex, Lies, and Alibis which makes up the final book of her trilogy.
“The readers who I thought had forgotten about ‘the promised third’ motivated me to write. Men especially egged me on. They would have full-on discussions about the characters with me.”
Sex, Lies and Alibis went on sale yesterday.
How thrilled are you to have released the final book of your sex trilogy?
I am feeling relieved, elated, apprehensive and proud that Alibis is out.
Relieved because this last book has met with many challenges – mainly personal – that I had to overcome or work through. But being a type A personality, I couldn’t just leave it hanging. There was definitely a sense of commitment to my readers that helped put my butt on that seat and my fingers to the keyboard. Loads of readers egged me on, that is why this last book is dedicated to them.
Elated because it is thrilling to type “The End” – to work through the story, to see the various characters come to life.
Apprehensive because you worry whether it will be well received, and finally, proud because I’ve never fully claimed the “author” title (imposter syndrome) and yet here I am, having written and published four books.
What is Sex, Lies, and Alibis about? Jen, the protagonist is known for running from difficult situations and as usual, and to her family’s horror, she escapes to France to avoid her ex-best friend’s cremation.
Much happens in Stellenbosch and Cape Town to cause enough conflict to beckon her back. Will she cut her stay short? Or will a certain entanglement with a stranger, and her work commitment to refurbish a super-yacht in Monte Carlo keep her firmly ensconced in Europe?
What inspired you to chase a series of books such as these?
I was, like Jen, on the cusp of 50. Many of my friends were divorcing: and not unlike Jen, some had stumbled upon their spouses in compromising positions.
Nearing 50, one cannot help but reflect.
Jen had been forced to confront the truth about her philandering husband, John.
Luckily I was more at a crossroads where I kept asking myself how much
I had done in my life bar raising four children? So, I decided to set myself a goal – to write and stage a play, try to pen a novel and perhaps a screenplay before my big five-oh …
So that is how Sex, Lies and Stellenbosch was born.
It was a runaway success and I began working on the second book, Sex, Lies Declassified almost immediately, opening with Jen wondering if there are such things as “happy endings”. It became evident that another book was required or alternatively the second book would be double the size. So Declassified ended in the knowledge that the final title in the series would be Alibis.
How much did you enjoy writing the material for the three books?
I had a blast writing the first book. When you write for fun, no book deals, no deadlines, there’s nothing that inhibits the process.
All three have been enjoyable to write, especially once there is that clickety-click moment when things really start to flow and the story begins to write itself.
It’s such an amazing feeling – no matter how you try change the trajectory
of the narrative or the characters, the story takes you to where it needs to go.
Have you always been passionate about writing steamy novels?
No. But look at me. What fun!
I also love writing poetry. My play was based on a tragic event (a triple filicide which was construed as a “mercy killing”). I kind of started writing humorous anecdotes on FB of various experiences involving my children, husband and situations we had found ourselves in. And my friends would say, you should write a book, so I did. How I got into steamy novels was purely experimental. While others were having affairs, I was cavorting
on the
keyboard in my children’s treehouse with several of my characters, happily knowing I wouldn’t be contracting any STIS.
Everyone says that sex sells. Do you believe that?
Yes. I think sex is very popular.
There’s also a stigma attached to the word “sex” (for goodness sake, I can’t even use the Sex, Lies FB page because it rejects my posts when the word “sex” is mentioned). Writing in this genre also alienates your work from other perceived “serious” and lauded works.
Let’s be frank, this genre is often frowned upon and overlooked when it comes to book fairs and festivals.
Despite this, I have loved my author journey, it’s been part experimental, part observational and educational and extremely insightful.
What frame of mind do you have to be in to write books such as these?
I’d like to think that they really are an extension of the genre, chick-lit with erotic scenes added – and the sex is dictated by the narrative. No gratuitous sex for sex sake.
Women, especially in this country, are taking ownership of their bodies and their sexual desires. Sexual gratification is a given not an unexpected surprise.
I’m not sure a “frame of mind” is really what is required other than time to write without distractions (I have two teenagers still at school) and it’s quite difficult to write a sex scene while they are asking what’s for dinner or fighting – but it has been done, even while waiting in doctors’ rooms.
I merely allow the characters’ sexual interactions to be written as authentically as possible. My aim is that the readers should find the sex erotic. There is a story, there are strong characters and it is fast-paced and a page turner that keeps readers glued to those pages.
Are the three books based on reallife stories?
That comment was penned by my publisher and it has garnered much attention.
Everything that we do creatively is inspired or triggered by something that was heard, seen, read or experienced.
I believe many people in Stellenbosch claim to know who the story is based on. I have no idea who. I guess, like all stories, it could be similar to your story or a friend’s story or “skinner” that you heard. The theme is a universal one which uses the glorious backdrop of sexy Stellies.
Are you able to give us a sneak peek into some of the hot and steamy scenes that feature in your new book?
Many of the characters that we have come to love or hate gain much traction in the final book. There is sex – but again, it is part of the narrative. Buy the book.
Your books have proved to be instant hits. Why do you think that is?
Because I am a reader of popular fiction and I know that this genre’s potential and popularity is underrated in this country. I aimed to prove publishers and booksellers wrong or slouch away having tried. Furthermore I worked hard to ensure that this book would transcend the demographics of “class”, sex or colour and I believe it has.