Up Close & Personal: Katie Ashley

I have been meaning to have my favorite authors to visit my blogsite. I wanted to do it ever since, but never really had the guts to approach any of them. I remember stalking at S.C. Stephens blog and fb page every single day (yeah you heard me, I’m a big time stalker)…too scared to post a comment so I would only like all her updates. But until I met this super special Author, who not only write good, well I think its an understatement, so let me rephrase that…who not only writes excellent books but someone who is very genuine and sincere. She knows her readers well and she always finds time to patiently answer every single question, comment or even just to say hi! So since its my birthday today (yeah, I found an excuse), I decided to have her as my first featured author in my blog. I hope you’ll all enjoy our mini conversation. So lemme give you the New York Time’s Best Selling Author of The Proposition, my ultimate favorite and a good friend…Ms. Katie Ashley.

Me: First, let me say thank you for gracing my blogsite and thank you for being so patient. I know its not easy to deal with a pesky fan like me (lol). So let’s start this party rollin’.

I know that you have been writing since you are about four, (yes, I’ve done my research) but can you tell us more about that story like when did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?

KA: As a little girl, I was always writing stories. I won the Young Author’s Fair in 8^th grade ironically for a poem I wrote. I kept on through my teenage years, but I was so worried about fitting in that I did it in secret, lol. Story-telling was a great part of my growing up. My paternal grandfather loved telling me stories of his life along with making up stories where I was usually the star. My maternal grandmother also loved telling stories about growing up during the Depression. There was always the desire and the knowledge that someday I would be a writer.

Me: Perhaps you’ve been asked about this next question too many times already, but for the sake of others who are really interested to getting to know you, can you tell us about the first book you have ever written? I mean the official one J (well if you would count the story about the three little cats, Mat, Dat & Lat, who am I to disagree?)

***just a little trivia, this is one of her childhood stories that she created when she was about four years old. It’s a story about three little cats who went on a camping treat with their parents.

KA: The first book I wrote and completed was my adult literary fiction, The Road to Damascus. It will always be a book very close to my heart. It was a story that was with me for years before I finally decided the summer I was twenty-nine that if I was going to write a book, it was now or never. I wrote it before I knew anything about the writing industry, so it was all about enjoying the process and being immersed in my world and characters. I can honestly look back on the writing of it as one of the happiest times of my life. It was greatly influenced by my roots and my raising along with my love of Southern literary fiction like To Kill a Mockingbird, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café, and Cold Sassy Tree.

Me: Among all the books that you have read, which of these has significantly contributed to your writing style?

KA: I would probably have to say To Kill a Mockingbird. Not only is it my favorite book, but it’s every aspect of the novel. It’s the characters, the setting, the story-telling. (oh, I second the motion!)

ME: Ihave read (oh, well another understatement…I stalked!) somewhere that you love to sing, so which genre do you usually listen to when you’re writing? Have you ever written a book which was inspired by a certain song or singer?

KA: Haha, yes, I was involved in theater back in the day. My YA novel, Jules the Bounty Hunter, was totally inspired by the song Beer for My Horses by Toby Keith—I know that probably sounds odd, but it, coupled with the video and my love for Dog the Bounty Hunter, totally spun the story.

When I’m writing, I prefer movie scores like The Holiday, Meet Joe Black, or Last of the Mohicans.

Now on to the book that placed you on the New York Time’s Best Selling List, The Proposition…

ME: Why do you feel you had to tell this story? Is there something in this book that is based on real life experience?

KA: Back in April, my then Young Adult agent told me I should write what I know. For me, I preferred writing as escapism, not to express my hopes and my dreams. At the risk of sounding like a Mary Sue, lol, there is a lot of me in Emma. I have the same intense desire for motherhood as she does. I’ve also experienced the loss of my parents. Both died of cancer—my dad when I was seventeen and my mom when I was twenty-three.

ME: How do you usually come up with the character’s name? (Aidan’s unique and mmm hell yeah, wooingly sexy, nice pick J)

KA: Aidan is a name I’ve always liked since that sexy Aidan Shaw came into Carrie Bradshaw’s life on Sex and the City! Ironically, there’s a half-finished YA novel of mine with cute brothers named Aidan and Liam Cleary.

ME: Did you ever expect that people would have such warm reception over the book? Did you have any apprehensions that it will make it to the top? (To be honest, the first few chapters alone can prove it will hit big, so I never really had a single doubt)

KA: Honestly, I’m still in shock at how well The Proposition has done. After three years of struggle in the business, it is absolutely amazing to find an audience who appreciates your work, adores your characters, and can’t wait to see where the story goes next. In a lot of ways, The Propositionfeels like a quiet story—Aidan isn’t your Christian Grey or Gideon Cross. The fact that it rose so fast and went so far is such an amazing blessing to me. I’m still in shock and awe, and I cannot thank my readers, bloggers, and fans enough.

Let’s do fast talk: you can answer with a word, phrase or line but need no elaboration.

Coffee or tea?

Erm, neither? LOL Coke zero in the mornings to get me up and about. But if we’re talking dinner, I’m a Southern gal who is very particular about my Sweet Tea.

2. Lights on / lights off?

Lights off

3. Boxers or briefs?

Hmm, I’m not picky.

4. Favorite male body part?

The v…lol

5. Worst pick up line you have ever received?

Oh God, there’s too many to list!!

6. Do you believe in love at first sight?

I believe in lust at first sight, I suppose. (Katie! you seriously crack me up, but that's the way we like it, don't we?)

7. Paperbacks / ebooks?

Both.

8. 4 things you never leave home without (apart from keys, phone and money)?

Good music, comfortable shoes,

9. Sleep in or get up early?

Sleep in…I’m not a morning person.

10. Ever slapped a guy?

Not literally but in my mind I have many, many times!

Final Part:

ME: Any advice to give to aspiring writers?

KA: It’s corny, but don’t give up and don’t stop believing. There were many times over the last three years between the two agents and two almost deals that I wanted to give up. It looks like I would never have an audience for my work, but you can’t give up. You have to keep on believing for yourself.

ME: Any message to your fans? (I know I couldn’t claim No. 1 as the seat has been taken by big mama, but I would gladly take the No.2 die hard fan title though, and you know that J )

KA: God bless you for your support. I can never tell you how much you mean to me. You restored my faith in writing, myself, and sometimes in humanity!

ME: If I put my magic mirror in front of you, what would you tell yourself right at this very moment?

KA: To keep having faith. If 2012 has taught me anything, it’s that when everything looks bleak and dark, you’ve lost all hope, and you’re so ready to give in, just keep believing. Things will change and look up. Most of all, draw on that amazing strength that has been bestowed on you by those you have loved and lost.