Today I have a special guest on Genuine Jenn, Maria V. Snyder who is an Indie Author. Maria was kind enough to do an interview for my readers and also host a giveaway! Enter to win a copy of Maria's book Storm Glass!
Tell us a little bit about your book(s) and yourself.
A: Nine of my books are what I'd like to call fantasy
adventure with a touch of romance because I like a little romance in my
stories. I also call them accessible
fantasy as I don't have lots of world building details like Lord of the
Rings, with all those races and generations of history. I focus on the
characters—especially my main protagonists who are very strong ladies who can
take care of themselves. Two of my books
are a dystopian duology called the Insider series. The world of Inside is
basically a big metal cube and they've forgotten what's outside their world.
Again I have a strong female protagonist dealing with lots of action and
intrigue. And I've a middle-grade book
for readers 8 to 14 years old and that one doesn't have any fantasy or science
fiction elements – just storms and dogs. And it has a male protagonist, a 13
year old boy named Luke.
If anyone is interested, you can read the first chapter of
all my books here: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/books.php
I'm an ex-meteorologist turned novelist and the mother of
two teens. I've been writing for the last 20 years and enjoy traveling a lot!
I'm very pro girl-power and have a brown belt in Isshinryu Karate, I learned
how to fence, and collect weapons—lots of sharp pointy weapons ;>.
When was your first book published?
A: Poison Study was published in October 2005.
Why did you decide to become an Author?
A: I didn't decide, it just happened. I was working as an
environmental meteorologist right after college and I worked at a consulting
firm so work came in waves. I was either very busy or very bored. During those
bored times, I started jotting down story ideas. I've always been a big reader
of mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, and fantasy and I've always been a
daydreamer (especially in school) so the combination worked well for telling
stories. When my son was born, I spent
his nap times writing and just kept at it, writing mostly short stories. I started writing Poison Study after
my daughter was born and when it was done, I submitted it to publishers –
either the writing thing would work out or I'd have to go back to meteorology. I'm happy I'm no longer doing air quality
reports!
Are you currently working on anything?
A: Yes, I'm working on what will be my fourteenth
novel! I've returned to the characters
and world I created in my Study series of books (Poison Study, Magic Study,
and Fire Study), and am writing another three books. This one is the second of the three.
Who and what inspired you to write?
A: I already explained what inspired me (boredom). As for the who, I'd have to credit Dick
Francis, the mystery author. When I was
fourteen, I picked up, Nerve, one of his many mystery novels set in the
world of steeplechase racing in England and was hooked. I loved the first person point of view and
how he ended his chapters with mini-cliffhangers. When I started writing, I also used first
person and tried to keep my readers in suspense. From the emails I've gotten at 3 and 4 a.m.,
I think I've been successful.
Each author has his or her own inspiring journey. How did
you begin writing?
A: I started writing science fiction short stories because
at the time I was reading quite a bit of SF by Ursula K. LeGuin and Marion
Zimmer Bradley. I wrote one or two and discovered I didn't have a clue how to
write fiction so I bought a few copies of Writer's Digest magazine and
signed up for the Philadelphia Writers' Conference. The con had a short story
track and one of the workshop leaders would critique stories submitted a few
months before. I sent one of my stories and hoped for the best. She edited my
story and gave it an overall grade of 7 out of 10. I talked to her after the
class to ask if a 7 was good and should I pursue this writing thing. She said yes. That was all I needed to hear,
I went home and kept writing short stories (didn't sell any) until I sparked on
the idea for Poison Study. By
then I'd found a wonderful critique group, and submitted a chapter to them each
month (doable with two little kids at home).
Three years later I finished the book.
Two years after that I found a publisher, and it was another two years
before the book was published. A lesson
in patience and persistence!
What is on your writing playlist for your book(s)?
A: I don't make playlists for my books, but I do listen to
music while writing. I listen to mostly pop 40s songs – Maroon 5, Matchbox 20,
INXS, 3 Doors Down, Plain White Ts, etc...
I've a few others like Santana and Shania Twain in there as well as some
classical.
Who is your favorite character in your books?
A: This is always a hard question because I've many
favorites for different reasons. My favorite overall is Valek – he's an
assassin and all around cool guy. Many
of my readers agree with me – he's my most popular character. My favorite character to write is Janco –
he's quirky and just so much fun to write.
In fact, his point of view is included in the new Study book just
because I enjoy writing his scenes!
What is your favorite book of all time?
A: Another tough question! I've many favorites, but the one
that jumped to mind when I read the questions is, The Gate to Women's
Country, by Sheri S. Tepper. It's a
SF novel written way back. It's the
ultimate girl power book and it's one I recommend to my girlfriends.
Tell us in one sentence why we should read your books.
As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it's time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan's glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal's unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn't known she possessed… - powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.
Add to your Goodreads shelf or buy on Amazon.
About the Author:
Connect: Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter
Giveaway ~ Enter to win a copy of Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder! This giveaway is open International!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I have not read any of her books, but think Sea Glass looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy rafflecopter name is Julie G.
I read all the study books except this one, I would love to win it. Maria is an amazing writer.
ReplyDeleteI've read the Study-series and really loved them, as did my friends when I told them about them. I expect I will get the same feeling with the Healer and Glass series and can't wait to read them. Inside out I liked a bit less, but total different story.
ReplyDeleteI have read Insiders and Healer series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me on your lovely blog!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome! Glad to have you!
DeleteI have not read any of Maria's books but they sound like something I would enjoy. I think the Glass series are the ones I would enjoy the most
ReplyDelete