Interview with Z.S. Diamanti, Author of Stone & Sky

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Stone & Sky?

Hope. Over the last several years, I noticed that the world was growing into an unknown and scary place. So much has darkened the skies in recent times. In fact, that darkness and overwhelming worry was so prevalent that it began to permeate the entertainment media that we consume. I decided that we needed some more hope in our lives and that it was time to bring hope back into our fantasy books as well.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Stone & Sky, what would they be?

Fly Away by Gloryhammer.

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

I love to read a good classic-style fantasy adventure! But I also enjoy Sci-Fi, Horror, and Thrillers.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Too many to list! But a few of them are: Kings of the Wyld, The Fifth Season, Six of Crows, The Forgotten Stone by E.A. Winters, The Secret Journal by Otto Schafer, and The Pale City by Marshall J Moore. To list a few.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

That’s a tough question to answer. I love writing vast battle scenes, but also very intimate scenes. So, I’ll go with a hybrid. There is a scene where two of the members of the Griffin Guard spar with each other, and let’s just say the sparks between them are more than just those produced by their magical weapons.

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

Quite a few, actually. I have this alpaca wool poncho that is so cozy to write in, it’s ridiculous. Also, I have a hard time sitting in my chair for a long time, so in between chapters I get up and do one of four things: stretch, jumping jacks, pushups, or sit-ups.

Also, I know this is going to sound weird, but I drink a naturally decaffeinated mushroom blended chicory coffee. It’s delicious. What can I say?

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

I try to live by the motto, “Be joyful always.” Seriously, there is far too much negativity out there. I’m all about bringing the positivity with me wherever I go.

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

I would want readers to remember to never lose hope, even in the face seemingly insurmountable circumstances that rise up against them. There is always hope for the future. As Enkeli the wizard says in my book Stone & Sky, “Do not give up hope so easily. When things are hardest, it is hope that pushes us onward.”

Z.S. Diamanti is the author of the new book Stone & Sky

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