Poison Study is the impressive debut novel from former meteorologist Maria V. Snyder. Set in the land of Ixia, it tells the story of Yelena Zaltana, a woman who is given the choice between being executed and becoming a ‘food taster’ for a commander. Total Sci-Fi caught up with the author to talk about fantasy fiction, tornadoes and wielding swords.

To go from meteorologist to novelist sounds like quite a career change. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

No, I always wanted to be a meteorologist and chase tornadoes! Unfortunately, in order to chase them you have to predict where they will form and forecasting wasn’t my forte. Instead, I specialised in environmental meteorology and worked for an environmental consulting firm.

With consulting, the amount of work came in waves, and we were either extremely busy or very bored. During the slow times, I started writing a short story. Ideas were always floating around in my mind, but that was when I began writing them down.

How has your background as a meteorologist informed your writing?

I believe my scientific background helps me with the story’s plot and logic. I’m a stickler for consistency and I make sure all the story’s subplots and plots tie up nicely and logically in the end.

What was the impetus for writing this book? What sparked the idea off?

I was reading Orson Scott Card’s book, How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy. In chapter three, 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 centres of power.”

This comment led me to think about a person who was close enough to the centre of power to witness important events, yet not be the Prince or Princess. I thought about a food taster because my husband tastes chocolate as part of his job with a major candy company. A scene then 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. Of course events changed as I wrote the story - the Commander came from nowhere and assassinated my monarchy!

How would you describe Poison Study to anyone that hasn’t read it? Would you say it’s primarily a fantasy?

I tell people Poison Study is about a medieval food taster who gets caught in the middle of an attempted political coup while trying to escape her dangerous job. It is primarily a fantasy novel, but there are also mystery, suspense and romantic elements as well.

How would you sum up its heroine Yelena?

Yelena is intelligent, stubborn, sarcastic, and tenacious. She begins the story locked in a dungeon awaiting execution for murder, which is about as low as a person can go. She’s offered the choice to become the new food taster or to hang, and she chooses to live—for the moment at least! In order to escape her precarious situation, she must learn to trust others and realised she is no longer a victim.

The book is very intricately plotted and detailed – how long did the research take you? What kind of research did you do?

The plot and details are all part of my scientific training. It took me three years to write Poison Study, plus two more years to revise and submit the manuscript. I was raising two small children, and had to fit writing and research into nap times and late nights.

My research focused on food tasting methods, lock picking, sword fighting and karate. I always try to learn by “doing”, so I practiced Isshinryu Karate (I have a brown belt), took a fencing class, learned how to swing a broadsword and rapier, and spent some time tasting chocolate (such hardship!). And no – I didn’t learn how to pick locks, and I had nothing to do with that rash of break-ins in my neighborhood, I swear!

Who are your main literary influences?

Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved to read. My mother introduced me to the mystery genre and I quickly went from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Agatha Christie, Dick Francis, Ed McBain and Robert B. Parker.

Dick Francis is my favourite mystery writer, and I’ve been told by many that my fast pace and cliffhanger chapter endings remind them of his books. I also enjoy Connie Willis’s books and her quirky sense of humour. My fantasy reading includes books by Barbara Hambly, David Eddings, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Mindy Klasky and Anne McCaffrey.

Poison Study is intended to be the first in a trilogy, is that correct? How are the next installments coming along?

When I wrote Poison Study, I intended the book to be a stand alone! However once I reached the end, I knew I could continue Yelena’s story for another two books, which are Magic Study and Fire Study. I don’t think of them as a trilogy, but more like a series because I tried very hard to make each book have its own beginning, middle and end.

Both books are due out in the UK in 2008. Magic Study will be published in April and Fire Study is scheduled for a December 2008 release.

This is your first novel. Do you have any advice for first time novelists?

PERSISTENCE is my biggest advice. I’d been writing for ten years and submitting for eight before I sold anything. Poison Study was rejected many times, but I kept submitting the book and had planned to submit until I ran out of publishers to send it to.

I also tell writers to be wary of predators; if someone is asking you for money proceed with the utmost caution. Get feedback on your stories from fellow writers before submitting. Joining a critique group is very helpful. I also find that if I let a story sit on my desk for a few weeks I can pick out all the problems, typos and inconsistencies easier.

And I agree whole-heartedly agree with Stephen King’s advice in his book, On Writing. He wrote, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” And don’t give up! Ever!

I’m more than happy to help other writers, and I think it’s very important to share what I have learned. I have writing tips on my website at www.mariavsnyder.com/tips and a series of writing advice on my blog at blog.myspace.com/mariavsnyder

Have you been pleased with the reception of the book so far?

I’ve been thrilled with all the great reviews, wonderful emails from readers, the award nominations, and awards Poison Study has generated. When I wrote the book, my main goal had been to write a story I would enjoy reading and then try and get it published. I hadn’t even thought about reviews or awards, so when the reception was so overwhelmingly positive it was a wonderful surprise.

Poison Study is out now from Mira Books. Click here to read the review.