Meet João Fadário | Novelist & Personal Conseleur

We had the good fortune of connecting with João Fadário and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi João, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
This is actually a pretty good question. I’ve been through a lot in my life – something that I believe cuts across the lives of anyone reading this interview. I believe that life is a multitude of choices. It’s up to us to make those same choices and accept that, whatever choice we make, it will have some kind of consequences, which can be good or less good. The fact that we are being aware of this is, in my humble opinion, a way of helping ourselves to value every act in our day-to-day lives.

If it’s true that we can’t control everything and every choice we make – as there are things that don’t depend on us alone – everything is somewhat easier to put into different perspectives. It helps a lot, as well, to create empathy and putting ourselves in the other’s shoes.

I believe that some of the things that are most needed nowadays are empathy and compassion. People are too focused on themselves. There is a lacking of love for others, as well as taking care of ourselves, despite we living tuned to ourselves.

I believe we can all change the world. But to do that, we have to be more humble. We cannot have the unrealistic expectation that we will be able to change the world overnight, all at once. That’s utopic. We manage to change the World every time we save and/or change the life of another being, for the better. That has been my conviction, as I have a strong commitment to social justice, a love of nature and a strong desire to create art that inspires and moves people.

I started my career as a novelist because of this dream of changing the world. I wanted and still want people – when reading my novels – to feel that there is something there that encourages them to be better for themselves and to others. I want people to delve into the questions that my characters experience, asking themselves what would they do, if they were in their shoes!

When writing my novels, I explore themes that I consider pertinent, such as bullying, homophobia, xenophobia, amerindian culture, depression, loneliness, relationships – sometimes abusive relationships – among with many other subjects, which readers may identify themselves.

As a novelist, it is my wish to create stories that entertain, enlighten and challenge readers. I truly hope to spark empathy, understanding and share my unique perspective on the world. I want to be remembered as a novelist who tackled important issues with compassion and insight, someone who created vivid and memorable characters that readers could relate to and care about. I hope i can leave as legacy a positive and lasting impact on the world!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well, I started my career as Personal Counselor when I was a teenager. I always liked to talk with people older than me, and since a kid I was interested in a lot of different things, that kids usually don’t care – like reading encyclopedias, medical books, and so on. When I was 14, I start listening to other’s people problems, trying to help them to find some answers. People liked my opinions and natural talent to listen and really care about them. Soon I was receiving at home, persons from all over my country, who wanted to talk to me, to listen my advices and trying to get better from the situations that make them come to me. When at school, it was like my “ritual” to presente people with readings and counselings. As years passed, I spend time researching and of course, learning too, so I could always be able to have an answer to give to the persons who look for me. This took me into a spiritual road, with many life experiences and meeting different kinds of persons. I am grateful to all, since I could learn more about life, about us – as human beings – about the deeps of our souls and many other things.

I started writing in a more serious way in 2013, but I start writing my first novel when I was 17. In that time, I left the novel in the middle, as I worked it to be a plot for a movie, to be acted by my and some bunch of friends. Time passed, we lost contact, and that first novel was simply forgotten in a chest. I re-found it when I was 24, when I was working in a Beach Library. I took my drafts to my work and, in that great summer, I finished that novel.

In 2013, I went to a meeting of amateur writers in my country. That weekend gave me the inspiration to start a little novel, with just two chapters! My idea was to create a story that could be narrated by each character, by their perspective! How could the same episode have different perspectives, leading to different understandings and even to different endings!
It was a very interesting way to explore things and that’s how I started to write my first Tetralogy.

After that, I wrote two Trilogies. “Shadows of Light” and “Written Between The Lines” (actually, I’m finishing the 3rd Part of “Written Between The Lines”). I am also working in the next Trilogy was well – which will be called “Never Ending Story”, featured by the stories “Far Longer Than The Rainbow”, “Far Longer Than Forever” and “Scarlet Rose” – this last one written in four hands. There’s two another stories, called “Chocolate With Pepper” (which is inspired in some personal stories of me) and “Crossed Words, Crossed Destinies”, which might be my last novels – at least for the next three years!

Throughout my journey as a personal counselor and novelist, I have learned many valuable lessons. One of the most important lessons I have learned is the power of empathy and listening. Being able to truly understand someone’s perspective and validate their feelings can have a tremendous impact on their well-being. I have also learned the importance of self-reflection and continuous learning. It is essential to take the time to reflect on our own experiences and continuously expand our knowledge and understanding of the world around us.

In terms of my brand and story, I want the world to know that my work is driven by a deep passion for helping others and exploring the complexities of the human experience. My writing is focused on exploring the different perspectives and emotions that make us who we are and how we navigate the challenges of life. I strive to create stories that are thought-provoking and impactful, while also being entertaining and engaging for readers.

Overall, my journey has been challenging at times, but I have been able to overcome these challenges by staying focused on my goals and continuously pushing myself to improve. I am excited to continue to grow and develop as a Novelist and Counselor, and to share my work with the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: After my friend arrives, I would take him to Jardim do Morro, in Vila Nova de Gaia, for stunning views of Douro River and the city of Oporto. In the evening, we would head to a local restaurant to try the famous Francesinha, a hearty sandwich with layers of meat, cheese, and a spicy tomato-based sauce, accomplished by a nice bottle of wine!

Day 2: We would explore the historic Cais da Ribeira in Oporto, with its picturesque riverside promenade and charming architecture. We would have lunch at a nearby restaurant and try Rojões à Moda do Minho, a traditional dish of tender pork cubes with crispy skin. In the afternoon, we would visit the Gardens of Cristal Palace, a beautiful park with sweeping views of the city, and one of my favorite places in Oporto.

Day 3: We would start our day by climbing the iconic Tower of Clérigos in Oporto for panoramic views of the city. It’s beautiful! Then, we would visit the stunning Lello Library, which inspired J.K. Rowling when she was writing Harry Potter! In this library exists a staircase pretty much similar to the one described in the novel, as the Hogwarts Staircase! In the evening, we would head to a local restaurant to try Tripas à Moda do Porto, a dish made from tripe, beans, and various meats in a flavorful broth. After that, we would go to some bars, to drink and dance until the sunrise!

Day 4: We would take a break from city sights and head to one of the nearby beaches to relax and soak up some sun. We would go to Matosinhos Beach and watch the sunset over the ocean, which is one of my favorite hobbies.

Day 5: We would spend the day exploring the city on foot, wandering through the colorful streets and taking in the sights and sounds of the city. We would stop for lunch at a local café and try some pastries, like Pastel de Nata – which is a traditional Portuguese custard tart, typically made with a flaky pastry crust and filled with a creamy, slightly sweet custard. It is often dusted with cinnamon and can be enjoyed as a dessert or with a cup of coffee – and/or Bolinhos de Bacalhau – also known as Bacalhau Fritters or Salt Cod Fritters, which is a popular Portuguese dish made from salted codfish, potatoes, eggs, onion, and parsley, shaped into small balls and deep-fried until golden brown. It is often served as a snack or appetizer. We would eat them accomplished by a very nice cup of Oporto wine!

Day 6: Since my friend is a wine lover, I would take him into a day trip to the Douro Valley, where some of the world’s best wines are produced. We would take a tour of local wineries, sample some of the wine, and enjoy a scenic drive through the valley.

Day 7: As the last day of my best friend trip, I would take him to a trip to nearby towns, like Braga or Guimarães.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are indeed some people to whom I would like to dedicate my message. I start with my grandmother, who always supported me and enjoyed reading my stories, being an excellent storyteller herself. I inherited from her kindness and concern for other people.

I have two friends, Jonas and Jhonata, which I consider as my bff’s. They have also been a great emotional support and strong support in the most difficult times, especially after my brother’s premature death. They are the family I never had. Me and Jhonata are creating a novel together, the first one I write in “four hands”, which will be called “Scarlet Rose”.

Here are some of the books and authors that influenced me and inspired me to start writing: “The Song Of Achilles”, by Madelleine Miller, is one of my favorite books. I’ve read and reread it several times, always crying at the end. I have read and re-read the entire “Harry Potter” saga by J.K. Rowling a ton of times. She is a fantastic storyteller and has certainly inspired many of the younger generation of novelists, myself included. In addition to these books and authors, I have great esteem for “Hurricane in New York”, by Max Marlow, another book that I love to reread. Last but not least, “Outbreak”, by Robin Cook, the author of medical thrillers books who inspired me to start writing my own thriller novels!

I could not fail to thank the readers who, a little all over the world, grace me with words of support. Among them, a special thanks to Francisco, one of the most faithful readers of my novels. Special thanks to all the people who, directly and indirectly, inspire me to create the stories.

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Other: https://errodefabrico.blogspot.com/