Maulsmate Interview,
December 21th, 1999

by Trillium

When Nicole put out the call for DMEB author interviews, I knew right away that I wanted to ask MaulsMate. I have enjoyed all of the many stories she has written, though I think "A Love Most Complicated" is my personal favorite (and I'm not alone, judging from the number of approvals it's gotten). She uses great characterization and makes you feel the emotions of the characters so well- I was really impressed. And let's face it- she also writes a very hot sex scene. When I was writing my own fics, and I got to the smutty parts and found I needed a little inspiration (since I had never written that kind of thing before), I would just go read any one of MaulsMate's Daydream series, and I'd have ideas in no time! I've also run into MaulsMate a couple of times in the chatroom, and she was very friendly. We also share a real life first name, which gives me a nice little feeling of connection.

So, without further ado, here's the interview. And a big thank you to MaulsMate for agreeing to answer my questions!

Trillium: Tell us a little about yourself.

MaulsMate: First off let me thank you for being interested enough to select me. I was quite taken aback. I am 32 years old and live in New Jersey. I have a husband named Mario and a beautiful Sithling named Victoria. I have a dog named Molly and a cat named Indy. Indy is named after Indy Car racing. I am an avid auto racing fan and that is my favorite division.

T: When and how did you first find out about the DMEB?

MM: Well, I am not much of an Internet person. One early June night I was searching for more information about this beautiful creature we saw so little of in the movie. I have to admit most of what I found was crap. Then I stumbled onto this site. That was it. I was hooked from day one.

T: How do you get your ideas (from Maul, obviously, but is there anything more specific?)

MM: Some of my ideas come from music. I was listening to Duran Duran's "Come undone" and thought of the story "Of A Love Most Complicated" Some ideas come from the chat room. Most though hit me out of the blue. Some, Like the Longing parts I, II and III and The Price Of Failure are things that I just feel so powerfully about, it is like HE is telling me what to write and I am just along for the ride. A lot of ideas come to me at the oddest time. Like in church or in the middle of a conference at work. It's very strange.

T: One thing I have noticed about your stories is that Maul is always in character- he never drops it for a second. You seem to have a very strong and consistent personal vision about what Maul is like. Would you like to comment on this?

MM: Thank you I try. ::smiles:: When I write, no matter what I am writing. I do so with empathy for one of the characters. I see things through that character's eyes. I feel the character and it is like that character is telling the story. Regardless of what person I write the story in. So essentially, when I write this fan fiction I am writing as I think Maul would tell the story. The only time I do not write as him is for the Daydreams. Those are my own sick little perversions I share with those who are interested. Also, when I write, it must be plausible to me in some way. Maul picking flowers and singing sonnets will never happen. I cannot close my eyes and visualize it and if I can't do that then I can't put it on paper. I am not very good at humor. But the Lesson series and the Daydream series are light hearted. I know this. But even then, I cannot see Maul in any other character but the one given to us on screen. I think he has a sense of humor, but I think it would be caustic and sardonic. I believe he is capable of love, but his love is not necessarily a love many would want. I can never picture him uttering the words I love you, EVER! . So, even in the love stories I wrote, he does not. We have debates in the chatroom over this. His character, his ability to feel any emotion other than hate. Everyone has his or her own personal fantasy image of Maul, and no one is right or wrong. Whatever vision of him makes you happy. I see him as a very intense, intelligent and focused individual, who has a feral side to him. His creed, in my opinion would be "The ends ALWAYS justify the means." But I do not see him going out of his way to kill or torture because he has nothing better to do. I see him as being extremely passionate in bed, when he would bother to see to his baser needs. But truth be told, much as much as I love the smut, I do not see him spending much time womanizing.

T: Do you have anymore stories in the works?

MM: I am always thinking::evil smirk:: Actually I am writing several stories now. "Under The Tree" is a Christmas fantasy thing. And 2 very dark stories called "Crime and Punishment" And "Survival". I also created a female Maul like character that I dressed up as for Halloween. It has kind of escalated and I have been requested to write a fan fiction about her so I am. She is the same species as Maul; in fact they were intended to be mates. Her name is Zephyr Salient and she has blue and black markings. She is well trained in the ways of the Force, and is a major bad ass. . As for the daydream series, they are just that, daydreams that I have so when another good one hits me down it will go!

T: Aside from Maul, who is your favorite SW character and why? What about your least favorite?

MM: Oh, I have always loved Vader. I mean, really, before we knew anything about the Sith at all Vader was it. And he was just phenomenal to look at, to listen to, everything. A well spoken, ruthless man that we came to love and, in my case, even feel sorry for. My least favorite? That is easy, the Ewoks. No particular reason, they are just too cute and furry.

T: If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be? What about anywhere in the SW universe? (Or, an alternate question if you'd rather answer this one- What's the best trip you have ever taken?)

MM: I would love to go to Romania. I am big history buff and love vampire lore. So Transylvania is one of the places I really hope I get to. In the Star wars universe.hmmmm? You mean besides Maul's bed? Okay, I guess Coruscant. I love New York City; I live 20 minutes from it. So I would fit in I think. The best trip I ever took was the July before last. We went to Disney World. It was great. Star Tours every night. Any avid Star Wars fan that has not done that ride needs to. Talk about feeling like you stepped into the final battle in A New Hope. Wow!

T: What CD is in your stereo right now? What book are you reading now?

MM: Right now I am listening to Pink Floyd a lot. I am getting in the mood for depression. I do that to put myself in the proper frame of mind to write these darker tales. I am getting ready to read "IQ" form Star trek The Next Generation. I am not a HUGE Trek fan but I love the character Q I think he is so neat.

T: Is there anything else you would like to say to us?

MM: I want to thank Nicole, our web mistress for all the hard work she does with this site. Particularly in the beginning when she was getting it to be the kick ass site it now is. I love this place. I have made a lot of new friends here. Many I would like to meet. Some who I have met and will meet. And my padawan who is very special to me ::small smile::