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Interview:

1.  Paperback, hardback, audiobook?

Paperback. I liked how hardback looks but I feel like they are more collectable. So if I’m gonna read a book, give me the paperback. If I’m gonna stare at it, the hardback. 

2.  Pick a genre, any genre!

Final Fantasy!  Oh wait, that’s not a “genre” (It should be). Epic Fantasy if I have to choose a real one. High Fantasy is a good one too, but one can only deal with elves so many times. 

3.  What is the first book you remember reading?

This is a tough one. My earliest memory was probably being read to/reciting the entire Little Mermaid movie as a comic book. I insisted that whenever we got to “Part of your world” I *had* to sing every word. Probably annoyed my mom to no end but I loved it. 

4.  What book shaped your childhood most?

In a Dark, Dark Room. Particularly “The Green Ribbon.” I loved scary stories as a kid and the twist in this one was nothing I saw coming. But it has always stuck with me. 

5.  When did you first start writing?

My first story was a stamp book about mermaids getting kidnapped by humans and escaping. There weren’t any actual words (since I was in kindergarten) but I knew what I wanted to say. I didn’t start really writing until Junior Highschool when multiple anime type rip offs were born. Including the Moon Sailors. And eventually The 13th Zodiac.

6.  What made you want to write? Does it still hold true?

I wrote to make friends. To be needed. I wrote out of loneliness. The world I created with my group of friends kept them coming back for more. They loved the world and the characters I made and I craved the attention. Before I started writing comic books I didn’t really have friends. I was just that weird girl with a heavy notebook full of drawings. But when I started comics, I had people coming to me asking for “just another page.”

7.   What book/poem are you most proud of creating?

The 13th Zodiac. It was a 21 year labor of love. I set it down many times trying to focus on other worlds and other stories thinking it was too juvenile (it was back when). But I always came back to Jase and his story. I wanted to tell it, but 20 years ago wasn’t the right time. 

8.   Did you publish your first book or is it for your eyes only?

The stories born between the 20 years I let The 13th Zodiac rest I published nothing. A few were trashed, literally, for personal reasons. 

9.  How many books/collections have you published so far?

Just the one so far. Originally I planned to only create three copies and not sell it cause I’m a massive introvert and obviously my work probably sucks so why share it with other people. But I’m glad I did. No regrets. 

10.  What genres do you write in (or hope to)?

Epic Fantasy or Final Fantasy as some on Twitter like to call it.

11.  Do you do research for your writing or is it all in your head?

I did a little research. There is a scene in the first book where a character drugs the other with a sleep herb. Nothing says “Dangerous” like chamomile. So I did a little digging and found that a plant called Skullcap is used in some teas. Now that sounded a lot more dangerous. So I took fantasy liberties and made it strong. Otherwise most of it came from my twisted brain. 

12.  To plan, or not to plan your plot?

I have a plan. I know where I want to go. But half the time my characters take me on detours and ruin my plans. I do generally end up going where I need to, even if I have to rein them in. 

13.  What route of publishing have you chosen? Do you plan to stick with it?

Currently self-published. I might try to query the next series with a indie publisher. But we’ll see. 

14.   If you could live inside another author’s universe, which one would you pick? (Ex: Middle Earth, Narnia, etc.)

I don’t know. So many crafted worlds seem like nice places to visit but with all the dangers, I’m not sure if I want to live there. 

15.   Do you currently have a WIP?

I’m currently working on the series finale to The 13th Zodiac: Shattered Fate. It’s gearing up to be exceedingly dark and hurtling toward a bittersweet ending. 

16.   Tell me about the character you’ve created who is dearest to your heart.

Jase Raion. He has been with me for over 20 years. Created way back in highschool as a cute anime boyfriend for myself. But as I got older, so did he and his story evolved over the years. I often set him aside in favor of other MCs but always came back. There was a connection there that I needed to get out on paper. And I’m so glad I did. 

17.   What do you consider your *current* magnum opus?

I’m very proud of how Shattered Fate is coming together. My writing and storytelling has evolved since the first book and it shows. The emotions within Shattered Fate are there and deep. I have cried, laughed, and felt the terror my characters have and I feel like that is what telling their story is about. 

18.   Do you have a favourite romance in your books? Or, if yours features no romance, tell us about your favourite character friendship!

One would think I would immediately pick Jase and Liya. Yeah, they are my core couple, but the bond between June and Tokei grows throughout the series just as much as it does for Jase and Liya. And their relationship was never planned from the beginning. It’s one of those things that happened while pantsing my story. 

19.   Do you listen to music as you write? Recommend a favourite writing song.

Most definitely. Everything I listen to is video game related. I find it hard to focus with songs that have words in them (I often start signing). But at this moment Weight of the World from Nier Automata is hitting particularly hard for Shattered Fate. 

20.   Do you have any character art for your books, whether by you or another artist? (Be sure to credit/link if you can!)

I do! I have my own as well as some commissions.

In order, myself, @ginkahederling and @RipleyJNick.

21.   If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?

The advice you get from others can be taken with a grain of salt. To me, there isn’t one “right” way of writing. Some people want the flowery prose. Some like to keep it simple. Adverbs are not as evil as many tell you. (You can use them if you want, the readers don’t care nearly as much as you think) Tell the story you want to tell and don’t let anyone twist it into something else. 

22.   Link us your book/twitter/goodreads or wherever we can best connect with you!

I’m pretty active on Twitter under @the13thZ

Linktr.ee/Azshure.