… even when you’re writing fantastical fiction, you still have to tell the truth.
Zachary Hagen writes, and teaches how to write, compelling science fiction and fantasy stories. Eternity’s Well and Eternity’s Mirror are the first two books in the Eternal Chronicles Series. His prequel Lux Terra: An Origin Story, introduces the story’s origin and characters. Zachary writes stories with characters readers can connect to, that share something about life or the meaning of something, and that bring readers joy.
Lyndi: What makes a compelling science fiction and fantasy story?
Zachary: So many stories are based on a writer asking a “What if?” question, and authors of sci-fi and fantasy know how to keep asking and answering that question again and again. We ask questions like I did, such as “What if a fantasy world had all the same technology that we do while still holding onto the wonder?”, and stories evolve from there. Questions and answers compel readers forward through a story.
Lyndi: What is your process for writing a compelling science fiction and fantasy story?
Zachary: The biggest thing for me is the main character or characters. Even if a character isn’t human, much like Opal and Nyx in my books, they still need to be relatable to the human experience, and readers need to see themselves in the story. Beyond that, the setting has to be well-crafted. The world has to be fleshed out with clear rules when they alter form our own, and everything has to work in an understandable way in order to ground a reader into the world you’re writing about. A good way to sum it up is that even when you’re writing fantastical fiction, you still have to tell the truth.
Lyndi: You speak to the idea that writers need to let their imagination run. In what ways can writers set their imaginations free to write?
Zachary: This goes back to the ”What if?” questions. Ask them, answer them, write them down, and don’t stop asking. By default, a talented writer has an inquisitive mind, so the most important thing is to keep asking questions until one sparks a story. For example, one of my current projects is a retelling of Aladdin that answers the question: What if the princess was really the thief and found the djinn and got three wishes? Any question can be asked and answered, and questions are one of the best ways to free the imagination.
Lyndi: You not only write compelling science fiction and fantasy, you also teach your students how to. What are a few of your best suggestions for young writers?
Zachary: Don’t get bogged down by being perfect. My books only get released after three or four different drafts, and that’s on the low end. Many writers go through many more drafts before their book is ready for publication. I heard a statistic a while ago that said only about 3% of people who start a book ever finish it, so for that reason, I tell my students not to edit while they write. Get the book out and then make it good. I also am a huge proponent of having at least a skeleton plot so you know what the end goal is, especially if you’re writing a series. I know what the final moment of Eternal Chronicles is going to be, and that informs every decision I make in writing the books leading up to it.
Lyndi: You’ve recently released Eternity’s Mirror, the second book in the Eternal Chronicles. Can you tell us about the quintet?
Zachary: Eternal Chronicles is a passion project. A lot of my own struggles and healing from past trauma have made it into the books. I see the story taking more concrete shape now that I’ve finished the first draft of Eternity’s Refuge, the third book, and it amazes me that I’m where I am. Eternity’s Refuge will be out this Fall, and the last two will be coming out next year. Readers should be excited for the conclusion. I don’t want to give away too much because I’m terrible with spoilers.
Lyndi: What is your approach to marketing your books? Have you found any method particularly effective?
Zachary: At this point, I’ve admitted to myself that I might eventually get better at this, but right now, I’m working on saving up to hire someone to market for me. I’m good at a great many things, and I’m ok not being great at this part of the process. We all have strengths, and this is not mine, and that’s ok!
Zachary Hagen is a Colorado based author and teacher. Writing has always been a passion for him since he was little kid when he put together little books from scrap paper. The earliest story he remembers writing was about a dragon who gave flowers to children. He also teaches creative writing to his students and loves to see their talents flourish. When he isn’t working hard at his two passions, he enjoys spending time with his wife and dog and making music any way he can.
