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 "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
I have always found quotes and sayings to be beautiful and meaningful. The first one I had an emotional connection to was a quirky little one I found in a fortune cookie. It said, "Today's mighty Oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground." I read that and got thinking about the meaning. Heck I'm a nut, so this applies to me!
Writing as a career takes a lot of dedication, heart, faith and support. I have a loving husband who may not understand my desire to write, but gives me the encouragement and space to follow my dreams. I have dedication in spades thanks to my Mom who always taught me that I could do anything and achieve everything if I really want to.
I started this crazy writing career under a pen name for adult erotica *blushing* and though I enjoyed it, something nagged inside for me to write Melody’s Song. Man, oh man, I tried to write it as an adult story. But no matter how hard I tried, Melody and Drew were speaking to me from the YA genre. So off I went to jump genres and try my hand at young adult writing. It wasn’t a far stretch for me - every thing I read comes from that section of the bookstore. I think YA is a good fit for my voice and for the themes I want to write about.
I wish I had more profound wisdom to pass onto my future children, but I do have memories and photos to show them that life is worth living to the fullest. I am lucky to have a best friend who is like a sister to me, and a sister who is like a best friend. When the road turns and I get lost, I know I will not be alone for long.
"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart."
~Confucius
Where do you get your ideas?
Inquiring minds want to know; am I a plotter or a pantser? Ah the age old question for most writers. I am in the middle. I don’t plot out a story from start to finish, but I have to have a clear ending in mind before I start. If I don’t then it feels like I am just typing words for the sake of typing words, and that’s an excuse to not do housework.
I usually get my ideas from a single event or situation that I would like to write about. I then build characters and the story around that single event. I find it easier to write shorter pieces than longer stories. I am working hard to start doing more full-length novels.
Where do you write?
I write on my couch with a movie playing in the background. Disa, my doggie, and Peaches and Mango, my two tabby cats, all sit around me. It’s a group event. Curious to know what movies I watch? It changes depending what’s handy or already on, but it must be something I have already watched, otherwise I find it distracting. I’ve seen ConAir, Never Been Kissed, Ocean’s Eleven, and Ready to Rumble more times than I can count.
What’s your writing schedule like?
I write when I can, but aim for a minimum word count 5 days a week. Being a writer is about a lot more than just writing. There are endless hours of editing, critiquing others work, blogging, and much more. I am a huge believer in education and strive to take a new workshop, various classes, or even read a craft book at least once a month.
What is the hardest part about being a writer?
There are two key things I find difficult. One: Finding the time. I do find the time because it is a passion and a dream of mine to be a writer, but it is work. Hard freaking work. I dedicate a lot of hours to this career. Anyone who treats writing as a hobby most likely isn’t going to be in it for the long haul. Unless they have some magical horseshoes hidden somewhere. This career isn’t about luck, it’s about perseverance and hard work.
Two: Overcoming self-doubt. Every so often a nagging voice raises its ugly little head and tells me to give up and go have a donut instead. But since I’m watching my weight, and I also think I will be a successful writer, I tell that little voice to bugger off and sit back down at my laptop with a carrot stick and a million new stories ideas. I’m determined to kill that voice one day. I can see the headlines now: “Inner voice killed by multi book deal to successful Young Adult writer, Kendal Ashby!”
What’s the best advise as a writer you’ve received?
Another two parter:
- You can’t fix what’s not there: This was meant in the context that a writer should forget that doubting voice (that we all have one by the way, it’s not just me hearing voices!) and write. Later you can go back and edit. But you can’t edit if there is nothing written.
- You can fix mechanical, but you can’t add heart: I hate, hate, hate, hate, punctuation and grammar. I suck at it. Big time. But that’s just mechanical. If I write a story with loveable and endearing characters, believable situations, heartfelt emotions, and happy endings, the rest can be fixed.
Want to see some pictures of my life? You asked for it!
The Man, my beautiful niece, and Disa, my Great Dane (she the one on the bottom who doesn’t look impressed).
My sister and me at my Jack and Jill (Buck and Doe/Stag Party). *cough* Yes…there might have been a tad bit of alcohol involved here.
The Man and me. Handsome isn’t he?
Getting my hair done on my wedding day. *sigh* Best day of my life. Trying to convince the Man we should divorce so we can remarry and have another wedding. He’s not going for it
E-mail me here. (Kendal@KendalAshby.com) |
