Destiny Soria is joining me for today's A-spec April interview! Her newest book, Beneath the Citadel, is a fantastic stand-alone fantasy with a cast that I absolutely fell for. I read this book months ago and there are still scenes I think about so often. The entire story is fantastical but still so socially relevant. I'm so happy Destiny agreed to join me today to talk about her wonderful book!
Beneath the Citadel
In a city ruled by seers whose fifty infallible prophecies brought first acclaim and then ruin to their people, four teens are the remnants of a failed rebellion. Caught between a scheming chancellor and an enigmatic executioner, they must uncover a secret final prophecy in order to save their home and themselves.
Beneath the Citadel
In a city ruled by seers whose fifty infallible prophecies brought first acclaim and then ruin to their people, four teens are the remnants of a failed rebellion. Caught between a scheming chancellor and an enigmatic executioner, they must uncover a secret final prophecy in order to save their home and themselves.
Destiny Soria grew up in a tiny town in Alabama that you’ve never heard of, where she spent her summers playing with sticks in the woods and exploring such distinguished careers as Forest Bandit, Wayward Orphan, and Woodland Fairy Princess. After college, she ran away to New Zealand for seven months and only pretended to be a character from Lord of the Rings on special occasions. Nowadays she lives and works in the shadow of the mighty Vulcan in Birmingham, AL. She is the author of IRON CAST, a YA historical fantasy set in 1920s Boston, and BENEATH THE CITADEL, a YA high fantasy about rebellion, seers, and stolen memories.
1. Thank you so much for joining me for A-spec April! Can you tell us a little bit about the asexual representation in your book, Beneath the Citadel?
Thanks for having me! Beneath the Citadel has four main characters, one of whom is Alys, an apothecary-in-training and the level-headed one of the crew. She identifies as asexual.
2. At what point in the planning and writing of Beneath the Citadel did you realize you were going to write an asexual character? What influenced this decision?
In my mind, Alys was asexual from the moment I conceived her character, but her orientation doesn’t really play a role in the plot. It wasn’t until a later draft that I gave it some thought (and had a great chat with a sensitivity reader) and decided that even if the book wasn’t about Alys’s asexuality, it was still important for her identity to be on the page. Queer kids are allowed to have adventures that don’t revolve around their sexuality.
Thanks for having me! Beneath the Citadel has four main characters, one of whom is Alys, an apothecary-in-training and the level-headed one of the crew. She identifies as asexual.
2. At what point in the planning and writing of Beneath the Citadel did you realize you were going to write an asexual character? What influenced this decision?
In my mind, Alys was asexual from the moment I conceived her character, but her orientation doesn’t really play a role in the plot. It wasn’t until a later draft that I gave it some thought (and had a great chat with a sensitivity reader) and decided that even if the book wasn’t about Alys’s asexuality, it was still important for her identity to be on the page. Queer kids are allowed to have adventures that don’t revolve around their sexuality.
3. What did you find most challenging and most rewarding about writing an asexual character?
I think the biggest challenge was coming to terms with the fact that as far as asexual representation goes, Alys can’t be everything to everybody. Not every ace reader is going to see themselves in Alys, which can be disappointing to some people. I hope someday there will be enough ace rep out there that every reader will be able to find themselves, but until then all I can do is write characters as honestly as I can. Personally, Alys was a character that I would have really loved and identified with as a teenager. For me that was the biggest reward in writing her.
4. How did you identify the orientation of your character on the page? Did you use the term “asexual” in the text and how did you come to that decision?
“Asexual” is indeed on the page. One of my sensitivity readers urged me to consider using the actual term (as well as “bisexual” for Evander, another main character) because it’s not super common to see those terms on the page in high fantasy novels and they can be really encouraging for young readers especially. I gave it a lot of thought and decided I definitely agree.
5. In writing an asexual character, did you do research and consult sensitivity readers or did you rely on your own knowledge or experience?
All of the above! It’s always really important to me to put the work into writing honest, relatable characters, no matter their sexuality, gender, or orientation.
I think the biggest challenge was coming to terms with the fact that as far as asexual representation goes, Alys can’t be everything to everybody. Not every ace reader is going to see themselves in Alys, which can be disappointing to some people. I hope someday there will be enough ace rep out there that every reader will be able to find themselves, but until then all I can do is write characters as honestly as I can. Personally, Alys was a character that I would have really loved and identified with as a teenager. For me that was the biggest reward in writing her.
4. How did you identify the orientation of your character on the page? Did you use the term “asexual” in the text and how did you come to that decision?
“Asexual” is indeed on the page. One of my sensitivity readers urged me to consider using the actual term (as well as “bisexual” for Evander, another main character) because it’s not super common to see those terms on the page in high fantasy novels and they can be really encouraging for young readers especially. I gave it a lot of thought and decided I definitely agree.
5. In writing an asexual character, did you do research and consult sensitivity readers or did you rely on your own knowledge or experience?
All of the above! It’s always really important to me to put the work into writing honest, relatable characters, no matter their sexuality, gender, or orientation.
6. What was your first experience with seeing asexual or aromantic characters in fiction and media?
On the page, I’m pretty sure it would be Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee, who’s a dear friend of mine (Hi, Puffin!). It’s a wonderful book that I really wish I could have read as a teenager. She’s actually the one who inspired me to write an asexual character.
7. What is your favorite book (or books) with asexual or aromantic characters?
See above! I also really liked Every Heart a Doorway and Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy.
On the page, I’m pretty sure it would be Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee, who’s a dear friend of mine (Hi, Puffin!). It’s a wonderful book that I really wish I could have read as a teenager. She’s actually the one who inspired me to write an asexual character.
7. What is your favorite book (or books) with asexual or aromantic characters?
See above! I also really liked Every Heart a Doorway and Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy.
8. Do you know what you are going to be working on next and do you think we see more a-spec characters in your future stories?
I’m pretty tight-lipped about current projects, but there will definitely be more a-spec characters to come!
I’m pretty tight-lipped about current projects, but there will definitely be more a-spec characters to come!
A huge thank you to Destiny for joining me and answering my questions! I highly recommend you pick up Beneath the Citadel if you are looking for an exciting stand-alone fantasy with a diverse cast, found family, social relevance, and wonderful relationships.
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