Maria Olsen
asked
Maria V. Snyder:
Hi Maria, Two different, yet similar questions - where do you find inspiration for all the herb names and properties, and also the names for the characters? Do you have a system for creating the personality of a character etc?
Maria V. Snyder
Hi Maria! I was actually lazy when I created my own herbs and properties - it saved me from having to research real plants and what they can do :) better to invent ones that can do exactly what I need them to do. As for the names, some I made up, and some I hijacked from real things.
For character names, I spend quite a bit of time finding the perfect ones. I have about 5 baby books that I look through and I like to find names that have special meanings. I wrote an article about my process for picking names on my website. You can read it here: https://www.mariavsnyder.com/advice/n...
For character names, I spend quite a bit of time finding the perfect ones. I have about 5 baby books that I look through and I like to find names that have special meanings. I wrote an article about my process for picking names on my website. You can read it here: https://www.mariavsnyder.com/advice/n...
More Answered Questions
Triona McSweeney
asked
Maria V. Snyder:
Hi Maria, I absolutely love your books. If you've time, I have a quick question. I'm an aspiring fantasy/sci-fi writer. I've written a few unpolished novellas/novels and I'm returning to writing after a few years. I'm just wondering if you'd recommend starting back writing with short stories or novels? My goal is to hopefully become a novel writer but I want to master the craft of writing. Any advice would be great!
Jodi
asked
Maria V. Snyder:
I absolutely love your work, you have stayed with me well into adulthood. This is particularly the case with the original study series and love how it is developed from a Yelena biography, to an amazing world full of different characters with their own unique stories. Have you considered expanding the world and including other countries? Sitia and Ixia are such perfect contrasts but what about the rest of the world?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more