Maria V.'s comments (member since Oct 19, 2008)

Maria V.'s comments from the Study Buddies group.

LOL Jadin - it was all an act - I'm actually mean and nasty ;>

I had a BLAST in Monroe! Treated like a ROCK STAR, spoiled rotten with chocolate, munchies, wine, goodies and surrounded by wonderful book-loving people. Watch for pictures on my blog and website!

I have to admit, my favorite moment of the fabulous weekend was at the book group's (Books with Bite) dinner on Saturday night when the discussion turned to the Kade vs. Delven debate...such fun to listen to the two sides argue about why Opal should end up with one or the other man - all good natured and sometimes loud - and I didn't have to say a word!

They also printed up T-shirts and gave away 3 of them to those who showed up on Saturday.

Meeting Study Buddies was another highlight - Kristen drove 5 hours to come see me and Sara about 2 hours both came for the Sunday event. I also met Heather, Penny, Misty, Jenn, Ashley, and I really hope I didn't miss listing anyone else - if so...sorry!

Jadin was a force of nature, selling my books to one and all at the Writers on the River event - she sold all but one - but that ended up going in the library's collection.

All in all a wonderful time - I hated to come home to the mountains of laundry and dishes that waited for me ;> Actually, the dishes were done, but I'm the designated Laundry Queen for some reason....

Hi Jay!

Welcome to the Study Buddies - no need to be nervous - everyone is super friendly around here :)

I'll try and answer your questions.

1 - The Commander was inspired like many of my other characters - he developed as I wrote the books. At first I started with a stereotype - a military dictator - one of the antagonists. But as he interacted with my other characters and as his traits began to sharpen and deepen, he became more than the stereotype. When I reached the scene where Yelena realizes there is more to the Commander than meets the eye - I was as surprised as she was! Which is why I love to write - it's like these characters are hiding from me, and the only way I can see them clearly is to draw them out and watch how they react to each other and to the situation.

2 - The Commander hasn't decided what he is going to do about his mother yet. He's not the type to be impulsive and has to consider all the pros and cons.

3 - The Commander hasn't told me if he's ever had a romantic relationship prior to Poison Study. I like to write about the Commander and Valek before the takeover and see what they reveal to me. I do know he hasn't had a relationship since the takeover and he does feel affection for Valek and Yelena - he gives them a little more slack than anyone else :)

4 - Art, music, and religion are all a waste of time in the Commander's mind - nothing is accomplished so why do it? But he does recognize quality. With Opal's glass sculpture - the core glowed with an inner fire - something not seen before (no electricity in Ixia) and he was intrigued.

I hope this answers your questions!

Actually Keelin, the UK wanted a map first - so they did the original one and then shared it with the others. But it's my fault for not spotting the missing D - they did send me a mock-up to make sure it looked good - I'm horrible at spotting typos - I should have had my husband look at it - he's way better than me.

The other stuff about SEA GLASS wasn't my fault!

I do :)

Poison Study - book
Assassin Study - short story
Magic Study - book
Fire Study - book
Power Study - short story
Ice Study - short story in progress :)
Storm Glass - book
Sea Glass - book
Spy Glass - soon to be book :)

Hope that helps!

Wow Zed - you asked some interesting and deep questions! I don't know if the answers will be as...profound :)

1 - Ixia is the model of my husband's place of work - they all wear uniforms, they all sit in low-walled cubicles (even the higher ups) they all have to clock in - no special parking spaces. The plant manager does get an extra table in his cube, but otherwise you couldn't pick him out. Having been in an office environment where the big bosses have all the perks, I must have admired this - it wasn't a conscious decision at all - my sister (who also worked for the company) pointed it out after I wrote the book - lol.

It can also be compared to Catholic school - I've survived 12 years - although I liked wearing a uniform - mornings went smoother and shopping was so much easier!

2 - When I wrote about the Commander, I wanted him to be evil and power hungry and a stereotypical dictator. But he just wouldn't conform to that mold and while he sees things in black and white he has done a lot of good things for his people. No society is all bad or all good - I just wanted to show both sides :)

3- I don't think everyone believes we have the best government/society. I just don't like it when people try and change others views/opinions/religion - just because it's different than what we do or believe, doesn't mean we should try and "convert" them to our way of thinking. Now if it's something horrific, where they are killing people etc.. then yes, interference is a good thing. I'd like us to understand why they believe certain things and accept that it's different.

4 - I didn't try and hide messages in my stories or try to express my political or religious views. I wrote about a place that appeal to me and populated it with characters that I thought were cool and put them through lots of conflicts. I wrote stories I'd like to read and if my own views leaked into the mix, then it was not intentional :)

Hope this helps?

I laughed when she passed out, too :) That was the first spot - the other is at the end when the narrator says POISON STUDY is the next big thing since Twilight!

In my mind, Valek is not as jovial and has a slight British accent - but it was fun to hear a different take on him :)

Zed - I see Summer Glau as Yelena (she's in the Sarah Conner chronicles and was in Firefly - but I like her better as a terminator - lol!)

Reema - Sounds like fun :) When I have a schedule, I'll let you know and we can find a good time!

Joanne - glad the site worked. I sent you an email a few minutes ago - Enjoy ICE STUDY!

Hi Joanne,

I don't know why you can't access my website - it opened for me. Here's the link in case you typed something wrong? http://www.mariavsnyder.com/shortstories...

To get the first two chapters of my newest short story, ICE STUDY, you need to sign up for my newsletter. Here's a link for that: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/news.php - just fill out the form online. Once the sign up is complete, send me an email (maria@mariavsnyder.com) and I'll send you the first two parts :)

BTW - I'm coming to England to promote SEA GLASS in January - the week of the 18th! I'll be in London and the surrounding area. Nothing is scheduled yet, but I'll be sure to let the Study Buddies know as soon as I do :)

I'm thrilled the book made it to you Reema! I've sent so many books that have gotten lost in the mail, I was worried (but I wasn't going to mention it here!).

My theory on all my lost books is the post office has a secret book club that meets in the bowels of the main post office center and they steal books to read for their group! I should be flattered, but I'm pissed my books didn't get delivered!


Okay - I'm done ranting ;> Reema, I would love to know what goodies you got! I was lame and only included a bookmark :(

A friend of mine sent me a link to the STORM GLASS book trailer that the UK office did. I was a bit surprised, but glad to see it.

I put the trailer on my Goodreads page, but here's a link as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQyaIbYKT...

What do you think? I also just received the cover art for the UK's SEA GLASS and will have that up on my blogs soon.

Also - while in YouTube, I found an Australian book trailer for POISON STUDY. They re-issued the book with a new cover and a book trailer. The cover is beautiful. But they've taken some liberties with the story and if you want to hear how Valek sounds with an Australian accent - you need to listen. No visuals - it's all audio (you'll see). I had a good laugh - couldn't help it. There were two spots in particular - see if you can guess which places I laughed at.

Link for the brave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=991H6sSKx...

Enjoy!

So nice to be wanted :)

I was just in Austin Texas in May, promoting Storm Glass and I had gone to Dallas when the RWA conference was there in July 2007 - Magic Study was up for their RITA award (didn't win :)

But I never know when I'll be invited back or a conference will be scheduled. Visit my website appearances page every couple of months to keep up to date :)

Yes - I blog about most news and I have an email newsletter to send updates as well. If you'd like to subscribe (it's free), then go to this link and sign up using the form :) http://www.mariavsnyder.com/news.php

Unfortunately, Fire Study will only be coming out as a trade sized paperback..... I know - I know - you're not the first nor will be the last who is not happy about this - I have no control - it was the publisher's decision.

I have tried to get the hardcover rights back so I could put out a limited edition for those who like to collect the books in hardcover. But I couldn't - perhaps some day when they're no longer printing copies of the Study books I'll get it back.

Reema,

So sorry to hear about your cat :( I understand completely! I had to put my dog down in July - she was 16 years and 3 months old and for a lab she was ancient. I don't know how long cats live, but I'm thinking 18 is pretty good?

My thoughts are with you :(

Thanks for the help Alethea!

Kate, if you haven't signed up for my newsletter, please do so - then you'll get Part 3 on time :)

Rachel - glad it helped :)

Kimberly - maybe ;>

Jennifer - I would love to write about the Commander and Valek before the take over and during it. Although I'm not sure how I would work in a love interest ;>

Thanks Kimberly - you rock!

Jennifer - Janco escorted Opal home for a couple reasons. I needed Opal to have a friend and I thought having both Ari and Janco would be too much focus on them and not on her. And Ari is the smart one who obeys orders- if he had seen the message from the Council, he would have taken them all to the Citadel. And it's harder to get into trouble with both Ari and Janco with you - if it's just Janco, the possibilities are endless ;>

This is going to be fun. And I'm personalizing all the books before sending them out :)

Reema - you're right - it's Sanseed - missing the d :( It's fixed on my website - in fact, my website has a colored map thanks to my new web guy :)

Alethea - I'll ask my editor about the books - they're slow about reprints - takes them ages!

Almost every book has a typo somewhere - a ton of people read through the manuscript, but they still sneak by or are messed up with printing.

I haven't had too many problems - Opal's last name was misspelled on the back of STORM GLASS and the map of Ixia/Sitia has a typo - can anyone find it??

Some are more frustrating than others - mistakes happen, you can't get upset over every little thing - I'm most unhappy about the acknowledgements - the other stuff in minor.

Alethea - they will be putting in the corrections with a second print run - but who knows when that will be.