Interview with Beth Ball, Author of Forest Deep (Age of Azuria Book 4)

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Forest Deep (Age of Azuria Book 4)?

The Age of Azuria series began as a one-on-one Dungeons & Dragons campaign that my husband and I started playing together. I fell so in love with the characters and the world and wanted to spend more time there as well as to share it with others, and that’s really how the first book Buried Heroes came about. The next two in the series followed quickly thereafter, but then when it came time for book four, there were things about the world and its history that I still needed to know, needed to find out. I went back to the world that came before and wrote the first book in that series, Phoenix Rising, which has several intersecting characters with Age of Azuria. But even then, there was another component of this missing magical artifact that I was missing, that I had to write my way to find, which is Phantom, also a book one set in Eldura. Then, finally, it was time for Forest Deep. Returning to the manuscript felt like returning to friends I’ve known for a lifetime, sinking back into a world that makes me feel like I belong and one that I love losing myself within. Azuria has been there for me in some of the hardest times of my life as well as times of intense growth and celebration. All of that and more comes through in the pages of this novel. The darkness presses close, but there are also really light moments of humor and bright moments of hope. Through it all, these characters that I adore continue to fight for the world that they believe in, and most especially. to fight for one another. They’re the ones I turn to for inspiration so often, and it’s felt both so vulnerable and like such a relief to have this book ready to enter the world. Forest Deep is the longest book I’ve ever written, and the adventure inside is so intricate and exciting—I’m just so ready to share it with readers now!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Forest Deep (Age of Azuria Book 4), what would they be?

Iellieth: “After Rain” by Dermot Kennedy

Briseras: “Triumph” by Bishop Briggs

Quindythias: “Movement” by Hozier

Marcon: “Lost” by Dermot Kennedy

Genevieve: “Let It Go” by James Bay

Persephonie: “Wild Horses” by Bishop Briggs

Teodric: “Fall for You (Acoustic)” by Secondhand Serenade

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genres to read are dark fantasy, epic fantasy, and romantasy (so yes, also my favorite genres to write!).

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My TBR right now is super exciting! The Ever Queen by LJ Andrews, Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer, Sentinels Awaken by Helen Garraway, and Of Thieves and Shadows by BSH Garcia.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I have to cheat on this answer a little and say what my favorite two scenes to write were: first, the climax of the novel is a scene I’ve been seeing in my head for three or more years now. It’s a truly dark moment for the characters and a really intense moment for the villain (who I love and despise at the same time). Plus there may or may not be a dragon! And then my other favorite scene was one I kinda knew was coming but got swept up in super intensely during the actual writing process, where one of my favorite characters, Briseras, is dueling a warrior much larger than she is over a pit of blood. It was absolutely thrilling! (She’s always a delight to write for!)

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I don’t know that I can go so far as to call it quirky, but I always have coffee on hand, and there’s a specific candle that I light whenever I’m in Azuria, the Library Scriptorium candle from Cantrip Candles. I have other favorites from them that I use for different worlds and stories, but that’s the one I have to have for Azuria!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I love this question! My guiding principles are beauty, depth, and truth. That’s what I want to bring into the world, what I want to experience, what I want to share with others. And then the second would be my belief in stories and storytelling, that stories are our most powerful force to change the world around us, to change how we see ourselves, others, and our place within the world.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

There is always hope, even in our darkest moments, even after loss or grief. It takes courage to see it, sometimes, and it takes a conscious choice to look for a different narrative than the one right in front of us, but it’s there.

Beth Ball is the author of the new book Forest Deep (Age of Azuria Book 4)

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