Author Interview Questions – Bethanie Finger

About the Book

1. More Than Life follows Cordelia Kimbal on an epic journey filled with loss, secrets, and romance. Can you introduce us to Cordelia and the world of Qualaris?

Cordelia’s main character journey is different from that of many fantasy heroines. She’s strong, not because she is powerful, but because she is able to overcome her circumstances with clumsy but endearing grace. She’s determined, resilient, and has a strong internal drive: even after losing everything, she’s eager to prove her worth and stand on her own. Cordelia is curious / open to adventure: a mysterious letter about the island of Qualaris sparks a journey she feels she has to undertake. Qualaris is inspired by lost civilizations, like Lemuria and Atlantis, but the geographical location is inspired by the Faroe Islands. Typically islands are portrayed as tropical, but I wanted Qualaris to be special and different. It’s beautiful, filled with exotic plants and wild life, but it isn’t the traditional ‘Atlantis’ readers might expect. 

2. The story blends young adult and romantasy elements. How did you balance the fantasy adventure with Cordelia’s personal growth and relationships?

The story was always about Cordelia’s journey, but the fantasy elements came much later. I was nearly finished with my first draft when I decided to add magic. I found it very enjoyable as an author to go through the draft and add elements of magic and fantasy throughout the plot that I had already written.

3. Without giving away spoilers, what do you hope readers take away from Cordelia’s journey?

Cordelia’s arc isn’t just about fantasy or adventure or even romance, though I do love Cordelia and Jaspar’s journey there. Her path is grounded in human struggles that are relatable; from apologizing to inanimate objects to celebrating the tiny victories and everything in between. 

Grief Doesn’t Have a Timeline — and That’s Okay: Cordelia’s grief over her father’s death is not resolved quickly or neatly. She carries it with her throughout the story, and it shapes how she sees herself and the world. This portion of the story was heavily influenced by my personal journey through grief. I lost my father very unexpectedly, and even years later I am still learning how to navigate a world and life that does not include him. It is important in a world of literature that glosses over grief to truly experience it. She doesn’t compartmentalize, she doesn’t put it in a folder to deal with later, she is in her grief at all times and eventually grief becomes this companion that, for better or worse, is always with her. 

Your Identity Is Not Tied to Your Status: When Cordelia loses her title, wealth, and place in society, she’s forced to reckon with who she really is without those external markers. Over the course of the novel, she slowly discovers her inner strength, values, and capability, but it takes time. There is no ‘Mary-Sue’ here. She doesn’t join the working class and immediately thrives and succeed. She puts in the real work, she fights for every accomplishment, which again goes against the typical heroine. We often see someone learn about a secret power or identiy, or have a life altering change, and they thrive immediately; they’re the best at that magic, their the exact right person to lead an army into victory. Reality doesn’t work that way, and so neither does Cordelia’s journey. 

Love, Connection, and Trust Matter — But They Don’t Save You: While there’s a romantic thread (with Jaspar), the story doesn’t present love as a magical fix. Cordelia has to save herself. The romance supports her journey, but doesn’t define or complete her. Jaspar supports her and encourages her, but he never does the work for her or swoops in and saves the day. Cordelia can do that for herself, while Jaspar cheers her on and helps when she needs it. 

4. Mythical islands, family secrets, and cursed characters—what inspired you to create these magical elements?

Convenience! Originally this was set in modern day and they were simply trying to prove that Atlantis existed. But as i began the writing process, science got in my way and I found myself bogged down by the advancements of technology. Once I moved the story to the 1690’s-1700’s, a whole world of opportunity opened to me. I could create my own Atlantis, I could create my own myths, I could have as much magic and mystery as I wanted!

5. If you could describe More Than Life in three words, what would they be?
   Happiness takes effort. 

Inspiration & Process
6. How did your experience as a reader influence your writing of More Than Life?

I’ve often said I’m a reader first, and a writer second. I know what I want out of books, I know what I enjoy. I love short chapters and cliffhangers! I devour anything that is slow-burn romance. Found family is in nearly every book I love to read or recommend! It’s not surprising that these elements became present in my own work. I also reflect during the writing and editing process. How might a reader react to this kind of scene? How much information do they need? How many details are more than enough and really dragging away from the story? These are questions writers should ask themselves when creating stories they want to share with others. 

7. What was the most challenging part of world-building Qualaris and its magical lore?

I didn’t have a lot of challenges, but there was a ton of research! As a librarian, this is a skill I’m well-versed in! I loved the research process, and I got some of my best ideas! I spent hours trying to find information that ended up only being one sentence in a story. It took me nearly four hours to find out what the temperature would be in a norther climate, in July, at night, on a building next to the beach. But I desperately wanted a scene where he gave her his cloak, and she wouldn’t need that unless it was slightly chilly! This rabbit whole was all for one scene, but it’s one of my favorites and the research led me to developing the climate of the city and the country. 

8. Were there any unexpected twists or developments during the writing process that surprised you?

Magic! I had no idea I was going to include magic. Then one day, I was writing a scene where they were on a ship and they needed to cook the fish. I thought, how convenient would it be if he could just point his finger at the fish and it would be cooked. Enter: The ability to manipulate fire! And if someone can have the power of fire, what other magic could include?! Thus: an entire fantasy world! 

I think the end also caught me! I love a good cliffhanger as a reader, but it’s risky as an author. Sometimes, readers can’t wait for the next book after a cliffhanger! Thus, my books were all published very close together. No one had to wait months or years to see how that cliffhanger resolved, they only had to wait three weeks! 

Characters & Themes
9. Cordelia faces grief, social change, and magical challenges. How did you develop her character to be both relatable and heroic?

I desperately wanted Cordelia to be different! I didn’t want her journey to be quick or instantaneous. I wanted her to struggle with the changes in her life! She has a lot of normalacy in her character. She apologizes to a door she accidentally slams, she’s afraid to ask questions for fear of embarrassing herself. But she triumphs as she grows, and readers experience every small victory with ther! . By the time we get to the magic of the story and Cordelia’s purpose, I wanted her strengths to feel earned!

10. How did you approach creating the cursed man—both as a love interest and as a pivotal character in the story?

Again, convenience! Jaspar needed to be her father’s apprentice, but how could her father have an apprentice that no one knew about!? Enter: Jaspar’s curse. But it had to come from somewhere. Was he cursed because he was a bad man? Well, then how does he become a character we love? Thus, unjust punishment that was handed down through generations, and poor Jaspar was a merely a pawn of circumstance. It’s not until he meets Cordelia, and everyone at Anchorage Inn, that he ever feels sorry for himself or questions the life he has dedicated to Qualaris. It’s easy to be obsessed with a legend when your only companion is jealousy. But when you develop relationships and friendships, it’s hard to leave all that behind to chase a wild dream. 

11. Are there secondary characters or subplots that hold special meaning for you?

All of them! Gladys is the ‘bad bitch’ we all strive for! Cool, confident, tough but still feminine and pretty, soft when she needs to be, but more than capable of taking care of herself, and anyone else who needs it. Taylor was a fantastic father figure to step in when Cordelia needed a strong reassurance, but Gladys gave Cordelia someone relatable to look up to. 

The brothers–Kevin, Iverson, Trevyn– were loosely based on my relationship with my own siblings. We tease and test each other, but at the end of the day, they’re my ride or die! Jaspar needed more than Cordelia to connect him to Anchorage Inn, and in the brothers he found not just friendships, but a found family the never knew he wanted. 

Diarmuid! Cordelia isn’t the only person who’s had her life torn to shreds and had her world turned upside down! Diarmuid’s backstory is very similar to hers, and while it made him a little hardened to the world, it’s his endurance that teaches Cordelia you can be down and out, but you don’t ever give up! 

Writing & Publishing Journey
12. How did it feel to hold the finished book in your hands for the first time?

I was practically in tears! My husband recorded me opening the package, throwing hte papers and stuffing aside, and treasuring what I had created in my hands. “What’s that? Oh nothing, just this incredible book I wrote!” 

13. Did being a reader first help shape your writing style or storytelling choices?

Ever since I can remember I’ve been reading, and ever since I can remember I’ve been writing! Its two halves of my personality, two halves that create one totally awesome person who can get lost in both the stories I write, and the ones I read! As a reader, I often experience plots that I love, but that doens’t mean they’re perfect. Sometimes, I think of how that plot could have been different, and when I write my own story, I change that narrative. 

Jaspar and Cordelia meet first, and really get to know each other, before the adventure starts.

Cordelia isn’t perfect at everything she does right away, and when her life is turned upside down, readers can feel her struggle!

Grief isn’t ignored while we focus on saving the world or overthrowing a dystopian government, we have no choice but to face it head on! 

These are all elements that go against the norm of YA and NA expectations, and it allowed me to create a story I always wanted to read! 

14. Are there upcoming books or sequels in this series that readers should be excited about?

Yes! More Than Dreams and More Than Destiny will come out in 2026 and I’m thrilled to share them! They follow the journey of two characters that I had written simply for one tiny scene, but I fell in love with them and wanted to know more about who they were and how they came to be! 

Fun & Quickfire
15. Favorite young adult or fantasy author that inspires your writing?

Marissa Meyer
16. Writing fuel—coffee, tea, or something stronger?

Coffee!
17. One word to describe Cordelia.

Genuine

18. One word to describe the cursed man (without spoilers!).

Enigmatic

19. One word to describe the book.

Wholesome 

20. One thing you hope readers feel after finishing More Than Life.

Excited to continue the journey!