Kaitlyn Hamblin asked Maria V. Snyder:

The study series and glass series are the first books to really stand out to me in a while, most fantasies are about the same old thing these days so thank you for a refreshing new story I could get engrossed in, I love them all!:) I'm an aspiring author and I was wondering what your inspiration is for the books and what you do to keep motivated and on target to finish them?

Maria V. Snyder Hi Kaitlyn! Glad you love my books! These days deadlines are what keeps me motivated and on target ;) But when I was an aspiring author, I set a goal to write one chapter a month - so I had a chapter to submit to my critique group each month (and I rewarded myself when I met my goal - something small like one night watching movies instead of writing). I think setting small, achievable goals helps me the most. And those small ones add up and, before you know it, you've achieved the bigger goal of finishing the book.

As for inspiration, that's a harder question to answer. Some nights I don't want to write and think of a million excuses not to write - but I've set a goal to write at least 1000 words before I can go to bed, so I force myself to open the file. I read what I wrote the night before and do a few edits and by the time I reach the end, I'm ready to jump in and most nights, I easily surpass 1000 words. I also noticed that if I hadn't written in a couple nights, it takes me longer to reach 1000 and I don't get much more done. I think of it as an engine - you know how when an engine's cold, it doesn't run as smoothly - well that's me when I haven't written in a while, but when I'm doing it every night, then the words flow much better.

I hope this helps!

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