Interview Victims
June 5, 2006
Questions for Melanie –
How did you get started writing?
What do you enjoy most about the writing process?
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
What is the most rewarding part of writing?
Questions for Cynthianna –
How did you get started writing?
What are some of your favorite movies?
How had being a publishing author changed things for you?
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Any words of advice or encouragement for aspiring authors?
Questions for Ashlyn –
How did you get started writing?
Who are some of your favorite authors?
What’s a day in the life of Ashlynn like?
Where does your comedic inspiration come from?
What is the biggest misconception about being an author?
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Sydney Somers 
Hi Sydney,
Thanks for interviewing me. This is my first interview as Ashlyn Chase!
Questions for Ashlyn –
How did you get started writing?
I should have known I wanted to be a writer much earlier than I did. I loved creative writing classes way back in high school, but I had my mind set on being an artist. When it was clear that I was going to starve (lol) I went to nursing school. My job put food on the table, but didn’t feed my creative spirit. Thus, when the opportunity survaced, I reinvented myself. I have a quote from George Elliot on my desk. He said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Some of my favorite authors? I have varied tastes that have evolved. I used to read everything I could get my hands on by Anne Rice and John Grisham, then Diana Gabaldon, which opened up the whole romance genre for me. Now I rarely read one author over and over because there are so many talented people telling stories, and each has their own voice. Just as I enjoy meeting new people, I enjoy meeting new authors, and continue to do so all the time. I’m especially fond of e-books since they’re refreshingly different and go everywhere with me on my PDA.
What’s a day in the life of Ashlynn like?
Up early with hubby for coffee and the local news. Then it’s off to work for both of us. My office is upstairs in my daughter’s old bedroom. I write, get distracted by e-mail, write some more, e-mail some more, all day with a couple of sanity breaks. When my husband comes home, my worday is over, but I’ve put in more hours because he commutes, right? That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Where does your comedic inspiration come from?
Okay…I’m not looking for sympathy, but I do tell the truth when people ask me this. Like often happens, tradgedy breeds comedy. Humor begins as a coping mechanism, and when it works, the person uses it more and more until they hone their skills. In some cases (like mine) the comedienne can almost forget the upsetting past as the storm blows over and life is sunny again.
What is the biggest misconception about being an author?
That we’re all rich! LOL. Only 5% of the elite make the big bucks. The rest of us are struggling for our craft because we can’t not do it. So, here I am…starving again, but loving it this time.
Questions for Cynthianna –
How did you get started writing?
Someone put a gun to my head and said “Write!”. Nah, that’s it. 🙂 I don’t really know; it’s just something I’ve been doing for so long it’s like breathing to me… I took creative writing in high school, but my teachers usually just stared at me like “Who did you copy this from?” or something. I only had one English teacher who told me that I could actually write. So I’ve been a “closet writer” most of my life until recent times when I became unemployed and the kids were off at school. Then I decided to dust off the dream and to write what I like for a change instead of what a boss wanted.
What are some of your favorite movies?
Wow, I do love the movies… I started out studying film, you see. Some of my all time favorites are Gone With The Wind, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Wedding Singer, Glory, The Sure Thing, The original Star Wars triology and the Lord of the Rings triology. That’s pretty eclectic, isn’t it?
How had being a publishing author changed things for you?
People sometimes (and only sometimes) take you more seriously as a writer. But on the whole, things are pretty much the same–I write and I submit and I occasionally make a little money. Precious little. But treating myself to McDonald’s with my quarterly royalty check is an ego boost. Someday, I tell myself, I’ll be able to afford Applebees!
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Inconsiderate people–that includes publishers who hang on to your stuff for a year or more. I’m not naming names, but I’m a bit ticked off with a big name publishing house at the moment for just such an offense. Grrr!!! 😉
Any words of advice or encouragement for aspiring authors?
“Plant hips in deskchair and commence typing.” Seriously, I meet tons of folks who are frustrated writers because they won’t give themselves permission to sit down and begin writing. You have my permission people! Get to writing now and stop saying “later” or “after the kids are grown” etc. Just do it! 🙂
Nice interviews ladies.
How did you get started writing?
I’ve written ever since I was little, starting with illustrated stories about my cats when I was six. My mother thought I was brilliant. LOL
What do you enjoy most about the writing process?
Never knowing what will happen next. I’m not a plotter; I write by the seat of my pants. So I never really know what’s going to happen in a story until it does. And somehow, it always seems to come together. I just love that.
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Something to Talk About by Bonnie Raitt
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
There have been so many. LOL I guess my most embarrassing moment was in seventh grade speech class, when I got up to speak and completely froze. I couldn’t say a word. The boys started razzing me and the girls laughed, and they weren’t just laughing with me. Soon after, I dropped that class and took another elective. I’ve never forgotten that. I was mortified.
What is the most rewarding part of writing?
Getting emails from readers who have read my books and liked them. That thrills me.