1.       What captured your imagination about fantasy writing?

The fact that anything, and any kind of setting is possible. I’ve played Final Fantasy games, and there is so much diversity in how a fantasy story can be told  

2.       How do you balance your Christian faith with your fantasy worlds?

I don’t think they’re at odds. I’ve always viewed the stories in the Bible as just as fantastic as the stories we come up with, and they’re all true  just because we don’t see the wonder in the world, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. I’ve always said there’s nothing MORE natural than the supernatural.

3.       Does faith weave throughout your stories, if so how?

So far, yes. Faith is a central theme to the Eternal Chronicles, and those are my only published novels. I believe in incorporating who we are in what we write, and faith is integral to my identity  

4.       When you began the Eternal Chronicles did you know it would be a series?

I always knew that it was going to be multiple books, but that number grew from 3 to 5 as soon as I finished the first book  I knew there was more than could be contained in three books then.

5.       Where did the initial idea come from?

I had a school assignment in college for an advanced creative writing class called Mapping the Publication Maze, and we needed to be working on a long-form work.  I chose a novel, and I wanted to base it off the life of Jesus, which is what Eternity’s Well is.

6.       Can you give us a glimpse into Eternity’s Edge?

Here is an excerpt from the first chapter:

“If it had been possible to see inside Granite Valley from above, anyone might have assumed that it was any other quiet day there. Dwarves bustled about their shops, and their children ran around their feet in dizzying circles. But it wasn’t a quiet day for Nereza Kahn. Nereza stopped for a moment to catch her breath, leaning against a lamppost that was barely taller than her when Elior and Nyx walked by. “Are you ok? Stepping over to her, Elior placed a hand on her back, clearly concerned. Nyx eyed her up and down from behind a huge bundle he’d been carrying. “You look like you’ve been running.” “I’m fine.” Nereza stood back up and leaned in to kiss her boyfriend’s cheek. “There’s just a lot to get done today, you know? Did you get the list I sent you, El?” 

7.       Do you plot out each book, or have an overall arc?

Absolutely, I can’t do anything without a clear plan  I’ve known what the final scene of the series would be from day one  

8.       Has your background and upbringing influenced your writing?

How could it not? The books I read, the characters personalities, my voice, everything is from me, and I’m a product of the life I lived and the people in my life. Each of my books is dedicated to someone important to me  

9.       Who is your most supportive cheerleader?

My wife, Claudia. She tells everyone I’m her favorite author  

10.   Where can readers find you?

zacharyhagenwrites.com

Bio

Zachary Hagen is a Minnesota based fantasy author and editor. He lives there with his wife, Claudia, and their dog, Flynn. When he isn't busy writing his next book or working with an editing client, you can often find him walking around his neighborhood or hiking. From a young age he was enthralled with the world of story. From the stories his parents read to him from his blue bedtime story books (if you know, you know) to the first two series that he read, The Chronicles of Narnia and A Series of Unfortunate Events, Zachary's tastes continued to develop throughout his years of reading.

The influences for his first series, The Eternal Chronicles, include Christopher Paolini, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and others.