Maria is the author of the Amazon best-selling series The Coal Elf Chronicles, The Altered Experience, and The Aestrangel Trinity. When not writing about dark fantasy and horror, she teaches Language Arts and Journalism to middle school students in Florida. A lover of all things dark and demented, she takes pleasure in warping the comfort factor in her readers’ minds. Just when you think you’ve reached a safe space in her stories, she snaps you back into her twisted reality.
What is your writing routine or schedule like? Walk us through a typical writing episode.
My writing process is very structured and disciplined. A typical writing episode starts with coffee. Strong and iced with lots of creamer. I sit down at about 8am and from there it’s ‘go time.’ I’ll take a few breaks throughout the day for food or bathroom or answer a text or interact with my kid for a little bit, but once I’m in the zone, I’m in the zone. I’ll burn out around 2ish, and whatever it is, it is for the day. That’s basically my life, three days a week, for two months out of the year.
Where do you get your best ideas? In the shower, driving, dreams, etc.
The best ideas always seem to come to me at two times: in the shower, or right before going to sleep. I think it’s because that’s when my brain is most relaxed and open to the ‘chatter’. Both not the most ideal settings to have to pause and write stuff down, but there definitely is something to be said for those ‘ah-ha’ moments!
Favorite fan moment? Let us freak out with you!
One of my favorite “fan” moments of all time was when I did a Tampa Bay Comic Con in 2016. A guy raced up to my table and was like, “I’m so glad I found you! I came here for you and your new book!” He said he was waiting to purchase it from me directly so I could sign it for him and talk with him about writing and publishing. It was pretty surreal to see someone, a complete stranger, get so excited over something I wrote. It was my “I feel like a celebrity” for a hot moment. I’ll never forget that.
I would say I prefer a satisfying conclusion – one that fits the tone and structure of the story at hand. And if that means the prince wakes up the princess with a kiss, or the whole world explodes into a fireball, then so be it.
What are your feelings on Happy Endings? As a reader? As a writer?
The word happy is so subjective, isn’t it? What is happy for the spider, is misery for the fly. I am not a fan of the “traditional” happy endings where the characters live happily ever after and everyone cheers because to me, that’s not real life. Life is messy. Life is complicated. And yes, there are moments of personal happiness, but not every moment has a happy outcome. Rather than happy, I would say I prefer a satisfying conclusion – one that fits the tone and structure of the story at hand. And if that means the prince wakes up the princess with a kiss, or the whole world explodes into a fireball, then so be it.
What kind of music do you listen to, if any? Why? Share a link if you have one (Spotify, YouTube, etc.).
My music taste is pretty eclectic. I tend to gravitate toward the heavy metal genre first and foremost. Bands like Chimaira, Fear Factory, and old White Zombie are always my go-tos to get my aggression out, but I do enjoy a wide range – 80s pop, 70s rock, 90s gangsta rap. I love to dance! Put me in a club or a dance floor at any party and I will tear that up!
How much research do you do for your writing? Is it for character, world, or plot? What are you researching now?
A lot of research goes into my writing because I want to keep the authenticity of the real world. I feel that’s important because if information is misaligned, it takes the reader out of the vibe of it all. Fiction is fiction, and that’s not to say you can’t bend facts and warp truths, but if I’m writing about something that happened on a particular date in 1987, and I say there was a full moon that night, well, I better be talking about the correct moment in time! Even when I write fantasy and get into the world of elves and magic – there is always some level of research and “truth” to stay faithful to. Currently, my research is taking me to the 1960s and the world of Charles Manson. I’m treading very cautiously so as to have all my ducks in a row.
Even when I write fantasy and get into the world of elves and magic – there is always some level of research and “truth” to stay faithful to.
Marketing! What has been the most useful marketing tool for you? (Social media, newsletters, paid ads, conferences, etc.)
As far as marketing goes, my favorite outlet is definitely going to conventions. Tampa Bay Comic Con, MegaCon, smaller shows… it doesn’t matter. If I can do em, I’m there. There is just something so electric about being with the crowds, meeting people, talking about books and writing. It’s even better to be able to do a panel because that open-mic platform becomes the building block of the reader/writer connection. Social media is great, for sure, but conventions are more personal and a great way to build your “life-long” audience.
How did you choose the genre you write? Was it by choice or encouragement from friends or fate aligning the stars?
I truly feel my genre chose me. From as early as I can remember, I’ve been attracted to all things weird and dark and terrifying. I can’t quite explain it – I feel like horror has always been in my blood. Other avenues just never really interested me.
What was your very first job?
My very first job was telemarketing for a construction company. I can still recite the script! It was a good job, though. I stayed with them for seven years, moved up from telemarketer to secretary to unofficial office manager. I even used the office computer to go on an online dating site where I met my husband!
From as early as I can remember, I’ve been attracted to all things weird and dark and terrifying. I can’t quite explain it – I feel like horror has always been in my blood.
Why’d you get that tattoo?
Because I wanted it! Seriously, though… all of my tattoos have a meaning, which I’m sure holds true for most people. I look at my tattoos as a visual representation of different times of my life, like an album of body illustrations. My first tattoo holds just as much value as my 20th. To me, it’s an art collection and a transformation into a literal body of art.
Cake or Pie? Defend.
There is only one answer: PIE. Pie is universal. It can be sweet or savory. It can be a meal or a dessert. Cake serves only one purpose. Pie is multifunctional. Give me pie ANY DAY!
