1. What was your inspiration for Poison Study?
A: I was reading Orson Scott Card’s book, How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy. In chapter 3, Card tells the writer to consider some questions before choosing the main character. He wrote, “Too often—particularly in medieval fantasy—writers think their story must be about rulers. Kings and queens, dukes and duchesses—they can be extravagantly powerful, yes, but too often they aren’t free at all. If you understand the workings of power in human societies, you’ll know that the greatest freedom to act in unpredictable ways is usually found away from the centers of power.”
This comment led me to think about a person who was close enough to the center of power to witness important events, yet not be the Prince or Princess. I thought about a food taster and a scene jumped into my mind. I saw a woman tasting food that was most likely poisoned through the eyes of the King. He watched her with heartbreaking horror because he had fallen in love with her. That led me to wonder about this woman. Who was she? Why was she there? Why would a King fall in love with her? And Poison Study was born.
This comment led me to think about a person who was close enough to the center of power to witness important events, yet not be the Prince or Princess. I thought about a food taster and a scene jumped into my mind. I saw a woman tasting food that was most likely poisoned through the eyes of the King. He watched her with heartbreaking horror because he had fallen in love with her. That led me to wonder about this woman. Who was she? Why was she there? Why would a King fall in love with her? And Poison Study was born.
Then the Commander came along and assassinated the King and set up a military dictatorship - but that's why writing is fun :)
2. You have experience with fighting and food tasting (your husband), how did that help you in your writing?
A: For a writer, all experiences are fodder for our imagination. Hands on research is my favorite - it helps me to translate an experience--the sights, smells, feelings, and how things taste or what they feel like--for the reader. If I experience it myself, then I can draw a better picture for the reader.
3. Who was your favorite character in the Study books?
A: This is like asking a mother who her favorite child is! ;> But I do have my favorites and I'm torn between Valek and Janco.
4. To anyone who hasn’t read Poison Study, how would you describe it to them?
A: The book is about Yelena. She starts out in a dungeon waiting to be executed for murder and is offered a reprieve...sort of :) She becomes the Commander's new poison taster and must learn how to taste his food and drink. It's a dangerous job and she's stuck, but Yelena is smart and resourceful and just can't give up hope. She learns to trust others and follow her heart, transforming from a victim to a person whose takes control of her life. Yelena learns how to defend herself, how to pick locks and lots of fun stuff :)
I tell readers it's fantasy lite :) I don't have elves and dragons or all the details and strange languages of a Tolkien novel, I have characters you can root for, and a fast paced plot. It's not a romance, but there is a romantic subplot. I also have mystery and suspense elements. Something for everyone :) And I mean everyone - I've had emails from readers aged 9 to 81!
5. What was the hardest part to write in the Study books?
A: [Warning - this answer has spoilers for the Study books] There are two good characters who die in the three books and both those scene were very difficult to write. They had become a part of my family and it's upsetting, but bad things happen to good characters.
6. If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
A: Joss Whedon - he created Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly and now Dollhouse (which I haven't had time to see yet). They're all television shows, but the characters change in some way in each episode, the writing was sharp with touches of humor and I was occasionally surprised by twists in the plot (hard to do since, as a writer, I'm pretty good at picking out those subtle clues :). I would love to just sit down and talk books and writing with him for an hour :)
7. Besides your own books, what are some of your favorite books?
A: The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, Ill Wind, and Glass Houses by Rachel Caine, Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy, Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready, His Majesty's Dragon, by Naomi Novik, Jaran, by Kate Elliott (science fiction but great adventure/romance - other really good SF novels with great characters are Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, The Gate to Women's Country, by Sheri S. Tepper, and The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis - in fact, I recommend anything by Connie Wills - she has a wonderful sense of humor.) The Time of the Dark,The Walls of Air, The Armies of Daylight, The Ladies of Mandrigyn all by Barbara Hambly - in fact any book by Barbara is great :) For just plain mystery/suspense with dashes of humor - I've been enjoying Harlan Coben's books - all of them. Other authors I enjoy - Lynn Flewelling (fantasy), Dick Francis (mystery), and Sebastian Junger (creative non-fiction - the Perfect Storm guy, but he's a wonderful writer).
8. When did you first consider yourself a writer?
A: I called myself a writer when I started making money from my writing. Before then, it was more a hobby.
9. How did you come up with the title, Poison Study?
A: It was really hard. I wanted Poison in the title because of Yelena's job, but I couldn't find a second word that fit. I thought of Education, Learning, or Educating Yelena (like that movie Educating Rita). Finally I thought of Study and I didn't really like it at first, but I decided if I ever sold the book, my editor and publisher would change the title anyway (and most do). But they didn't and when they wanted a second book, I thought of Magic Study right away - that one was easy. Fire Study was another difficult one. I wanted Soul Study, but my editor thought it sounded too 70s and too inspirational (I liked it for a number of reasons, but I thought, Poison, Magic, Soul would be a funny inside joke for PMS ;). We had it named Death Study for the contract, but as soon as I wrote the scene with the Fire Warper stepping from the fire, I knew Fire Study would be perfect!
10. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
A: Yes - First Hello and thanks for stopping by :) And thanks to Kirthi for hosting me today!
And if you enjoy the Study Series, I would encourage you to try the Glass Series. The first book, Storm Glass is about Opal Cowan. You first meet Opal in Magic Study (she's Tula's younger sister) and she has a bigger role in Fire Study. Storm Glass starts about 5 years after Fire Study and Opal is exploring her glass magic. Many characters from the Study books are in the story, like Leif, Yelena, Irys, Zitora etc.. Sea Glass is the second book and it's available now, but the third book, Spy Glass isn't due out until September 2010.
Any aspiring writers are also welcome to check out my writing advice page as well.
Contest! International!
I enjoyed interviewing you Mrs. Snyder! She generously offered to give away a signed copy of Poison Study on my blog (thank you so much!), so comment with your name and e-mail so I can contact you if you win. Here are some extra entries!+1 for telling me what you found interesting about this interview!
+3 is you're a follower
+5 for a blog post or sidebar (please provide the link)
+2 for commenting on my review of Poison Study
+2 for commenting on my review on Magic and Fire Study
+1 for adding up all your entries!
This contest will be closed on January 27, 2010! So spread the word!
