Author Interview: The Literary Spotlight with Author Ashley Audrain
Welcome back to another author interview! Meet Ashley Audrain, the talented author behind two compelling novels, “The Push” and “The Whispers,” both of which were released in June of the current year. Ashley is a Canadian Writer and her journey into the world of storytelling took a fascinating turn after the birth of her first child, sparking a deep interest in exploring the complexities of motherhood and the societal expectations imposed on mothers.
“The Push” was born out of this transformative period in Ashley’s life. The character of Blythe, central to the novel, emerged as a vessel for Ashley to articulate the nuances of maternal experiences. Striving to balance the demands of caring for a young baby and nurturing her passion for writing, Ashley crafted her narrative scene by scene during stolen moments of quiet amidst the chaos of early parenthood.
While the desire to become a writer had always lingered in Ashley’s aspirations, it was the profound impact of motherhood that provided the catalyst for her to pursue this creative path. Prioritizing her role as a mother during that time became the driving force that fueled her commitment to explore and articulate the complexities of maternal emotions and societal expectations in her novels. As we delve into the interview, we’ll uncover more about Ashley’s inspirations, challenges, and the creative process that brought her thought-provoking stories to life.
Introduction:
Cyra: Could you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your writing background? What inspired you to become a writer, and how did your writing journey begin?
Ashley: Sure, I’m the author of two novels, The Push, and The Whispers, which came out in June of this year. I started writing “The Push” after I had my first child—I was so interested in writing about motherhood, and the expectations of society on mothers to feel and be a certain way. The character of Blythe came to me then, and I began writing scene by scene in whatever time I had while home with a young baby.
I’d always wanted to be a writer, but was more focused on other career pursuits—being home with my son at that time in life finally gave me the motivation to try.
Creative Process:
Cyra: Could you share a glimpse into your creative process? How do you approach developing ideas and turning them into stories? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the writing zone?
Ashley: My creative process for each book starts with a long time of just…thinking! And note-taking. I use my iPhone notes app to jot down every and any thought that comes to my mind about whatever novel I’m starting to think about. Could be a theme, character ideas, bits of dialogue, or just questions for myself to answer later. These notes become something I can mine later when I start to write. By that point, I have an idea, roughly, of where things will go, and I’ve written a synopsis, but I don’t plot out in any more detail than that. I do a very bad first draft, knowing I’ll revise it over and over and over.
Writing Influences:
Cyra: Who are some of your favorite authors or literary influences, and how have they shaped your own writing style? Are there any books or works that have had a profound impact on your writing career?
Ashley: Around the time I started to write The Push, Gone Girl and The Girls on The Train were huge successes. I didn’t read a lot of thrillers at that time and didn’t set out to write one, but I think the popularity of dark domestic suspense encouraged me to play in that area with motherhood. I always loved reading books about motherhood, even as a younger adult—the topic always fascinated me, so I’m not surprised it’s what I ended up writing about!
Overcoming Challenges:
Cyra: What challenges have you faced as a writer, and how did you overcome them? How do you handle writer’s block or periods of self-doubt?
Ashley: As a mother with young kids, I honestly very rarely have writer’s block—it’s usually the opposite problem, where I know exactly what I want to write and have the ideas, but not the time! It’s unusual for me to sit down at my laptop and feel stuck.
That said, there are times when I can’t solve a problem in a manuscript or don’t quite know how to address an editor’s feedback, and those times do feel quite challenging. I find they’re best solved with time. Letting things sit, talking through them with my partner, or reading/watching things that I’m inspired by.
Character Development:
Cyra: How do you approach developing compelling and relatable characters in your stories? Are there any strategies or exercises you use to ensure your characters feel authentic and three-dimensional?
Ashley: I spend a lot of time on character development, but it’s mostly *thinking* time rather than anything more specific. Sometimes a challenge can be that a character is very clear in my head because she’s been there for years, but not clear enough on the page. I usually can’t see this until I get early reader feedback that questions her motivations about something—and I’ll think the answer is obvious!
So that tells me to go back and make things clearer, or more detailed with her. I also consult with a friend who is a psychologist—she helps me to ensure that my characters make sense from that point of view, too, which I think adds to their authenticity.
Creative Inspiration:
Cyra: Where do you find inspiration for your stories? Are there any specific themes or topics you enjoy exploring in your writing?
Ashley: Most of my inspiration comes from things I’ve observed in life, or darker experiences that I think most of us can relate to on some level… the fears or feelings or desires that we don’t necessarily speak about often. I’m interested in writing about the uncomfortable truths in women’s lives, especially when it comes to motherhood and relationships. These topics, for me, are endlessly fascinating!
Editing and Revision:
Cyra: How important do you think the editing and revision process is for a writer? Could you share your approach to editing your own work? Do you have any suggestions for writers on how to improve their editing skills?
Ashley: Hugely important! For both of my novels, I’ve done several major revisions, and they’ve changed the books substantially for the better. I’m very lucky to have three wonderful editors who work together as a team, and I’m so grateful for their thoughtful care and attention.
Early in the process, before they see it, I also get feedback from my long-time writing partner and my real-life partner! And, my agent and her team as well. So for me, sharing the work and getting feedback from others is a big part of my revision process. It took me years to want to share my work with others for feedback in that way, and now, I can see how invaluable it is to make a story better…
Publishing and Marketing:
Cyra: What has been your experience with the publishing industry? Any advice for aspiring authors on finding agents or publishers? How do you navigate the world of book marketing and promotion? Any tips for authors looking to build their audience?
Ashley: I had the unique experience of working in publishing as a publicist for a couple of years, before I wrote the books, so I’d had a peek behind the curtain to how it all works. This was really valuable in terms of knowing what to expect and how things could, potentially, unfold. But I also learned in publishing that truly, anything goes! Sometimes it’s the smaller, unassuming books that bubble up to the top and find the biggest audiences. And, sometimes it’s the books that are hugely hyped-up that disappoint the most.
As an author, all you can do is write the best book you can. Over and over again, if you’re lucky to have that opportunity. Social media has, of course, changed the game substantially, and I think that’s been a wonderful thing for discovery. That said, most often the books that sell well through TikTok or Instagram have nothing to do with promotional efforts from the author—they are the books that resonate with readers in a way that makes them want to share and talk about it.
Advice for Budding Writers:
Cyra: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey? How do you handle rejection and criticism in the publishing world?
Ashley: I think it’s so important to write about the thing you’re obsessed with. The thing you can’t stop thinking about, or you always want to talk about, or something that keeps you up at night. I think this is where the best writing comes from.
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