YOUTHFUL WRITER
New Waterford author’s novel developing into a series.
NEW WATERFORD — Azaria Durant has turned a passion for writing into novels.
The 21-year-old women’s first novel “Broken Arrow” is available on Amazon and a sequel “Shattered Sword” is scheduled to be published at the end of May.
“There will be six books in the series and maybe even a few spinoffs,” said Durant, who is currently travelling throughout North America with her family. The Durants sold their home in New Waterford and the family, including 11 of 13 children, are on the road with a camper and a van.
Durant describes “Broken Arrow” as a young adults fantasy novel, packed with adventure, treachery, action and friendship. It is the story of a 15-year-old boy named Ealdred who discovers that he has magical powers a few hours before he is kidnapped by an evil sorcerer named Zeldek. Zeldek demands his allegiance or threatens death. Together with Bellator, Zeldek’s right hand, he must escape and find a cursed magical arrow to gain his freedom.
Durant said her favourite character is Bellator.
“She is a strong, passionate, badass character with a very complicated past and even more complicated personality,” she said.
“She is mysterious, daring, clever, devious, fearless, a famed unbeatable warrior, and a dragon rider.
“I really enjoyed writing this character and she has rightfully become sort of iconic among my readers.”
Durant, along with her 12 siblings, was home schooled. She said throughout her school years her mother — Lindsay Durant — taught math, science and all the basic subjects. However, there was also a focus on choosing curriculum with career interests in mind.
Durant always wanted to be a writer and she took courses to further that interest.
“Writing is my passion, it’s what I’ve always really wanted to do.”
She came up with the idea for her first novel in 2012.
“It went through three story developments, entirely different plots,” she said.
The book was self-published July 29, 2018 and both the paperback edition and ebook are available on Amazon. She said the book has been doing fairly well.
She geared the book towards an age group of 13-20 but she has since discovered adults like it as well.
“The sales were slow at first but last month they kind of boosted a bit,” she said. “I’m pretty happy with it.”
Anyone who enjoyed “Broken Arrow” can rest easy as Ealdred’s journey will continue.
The sequel “Shattered Sword” is in the hands of an editor and scheduled to be published in May.
The sequel continues Ealdred’s fight for freedom and Zeldek continues his quest to conquer Theara.
Durant said four more books in this series are already in progress.
Anyone interested can sign up for Durant’s free newsletter at www. azariamjdurant.com, where she also offers a free short story compilation “Blood and Shadow.”