One of the fantastic things about being an author is meeting incredible people and in the nerdy circuit, connecting to those who share your fluttering from fandom little souls is a real treat. 🙂
Ashley Grant is one of those fantastic people! So, let’s get to know this wonderful talent and a great person!
Author to Author Q and A:
- Where did you grow up? Did your childhood have any impact on your writing?
I grew up in a small town in New Jersey. (I won’t mention which one) I will say this much, it had a huge impact on my writing out of spite. For many years I was told by teachers, peers and any adult around me I would amount to nothing like an author because everything I wrote was too dark to be published. Five books later, I got the last laugh.
2. Tell us about the first story you ever wrote, published or not?
The story I ever wrote? Can’t remember, the first story I had published? Poor Dolly in my book Lament of Midnight. So far everyone who has given me feedback on Lament of Midnight loves that short story.
- What are you currently working on, writing-wise?
I’m currently working on a novel and multiple short stories for different magazine projects. Haven’t gotten that far with the new novel, been busy focusing on other things at the moment. I’ve been writing it sporadically.
4. What is your favorite character you have ever created and why?
I don’t have a favorite yes, but some of my readers do.
5. Do you have to write in order or do your ideas just come to you and you put them in order later?
A mix of both, I don’t plan anything I write but will occasionally make notes to myself if I think of a good scene on the fly.
- What was your path like until you found writing?
Stayed mostly the same, even before I was published I was writing all the time.
- How is your relationship with your publishing company?
Pretty good, my publisher and I are very amicable to each other. And there are some benefits of being published by an indie press.
- Tell us about your covers.
For most of my covers, I drew the base image myself. I usually go for the theme of the overall book instead of focusing on a particular image. At least, that’s what I’ve done for Lament of Midnight books.
9. What inspires you to write?
Horror movies, my own experiences, and sometimes other books. But, mostly horror movies, I find it easier to write if I have a good Wes Craven film on the T.V.
10. How do you get book reviews?
Mostly through networking, also book trades can sometimes get reviews. The thing I learned early on is, reviews are highly subjective. One person can completely trash what you wrote and another will say it’s the best thing they ever read.
11. What is harder: writing, editing, or marketing?
That’s easy, definitely editing and marketing. Writing is the easiest part of being an author. My biggest tip on that is always has a proofreader. No matter how well you write, eventually, you’ll get tired and miss typos after you read your story over and over again.
12. If you could publish every book idea you’ve ever had, how many books would you have out right now?
Easily over 200 books, but not every idea is a gold mine.
13. Have you ever considered co-writing a book or series with another author?
I’ve thought about it but there are only a few authors I’d be willing to co-write with.
14. What do you do to relax?
Depends on how tired I am. Writing and drawing help me relax a lot, but if I’m too tired for both of those I’ll usually veg in front of the T.V.
- If you could tell your 14-year-old self one thing, what would it be?
Don’t listen to all the adults and peers around you doubting your skill.
16. What advice would you have for this upcoming generation?
Don’t fall for black and white thinking, it’s dangerous and stifles creativity.
- Have you ever read a book that changed your outlook on life?
The Giver by Lois Lowry, it’s a wonderful book and helped me understand what authoritarianism was at an early age.
18. Do you have a classic piece of literature or a classic author you are fond of?
Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, H.G. Wells, the list is too long to name everyone.
19. Any type of music that gets your writing juices flowing?
Hard rock and Heavy Metal help me get my thoughts out, especially on gory scenes in my stories.
20. If you could pick three people who are your heroes or role models, who would they be and why?
That’s a tough one, Aurelio Voltaire would be one. He’s definitely one of my heroes, but I can’t think of anyone else.
- Dog or cat person?
- Cat person easily, I already have three of them.
22. What do you want to eat right now?
Kind of want ice cream but it’d be hard to get some right now.
23. If you could be in any movie that has already been made, which one would it be?
Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, it’s such a fun train wreck.
24. What is your favorite holiday or time of year?
Halloween, no question about it, has always been and will always be my favorite holiday. Bring on the horror movies and candy!
25. Anything else you would like to add?