Interview (& Giveaway) with Ashlyn Chase
Please welcome Ashlyn Chase, author of Strange Neighbors!
A multi-published, award-winning author, Ashlyn Chase specializes in characters who reinvent themselves, having reinvented herself numerous times. Among her many day jobs, she has worked as a psychiatric nurse, run blood drives for the Red Cross, and now uses her degree in behavioral sciences to avoid writing exhaustive character sketches. She lives with her true-life hero husband in beautiful New Hampshire. For more information, please visit http://ashlynchase.com.
Check out our review of Strange Neighbors!
Interview
I noticed you have a degree in behavioral science and worked in the medical field as a psychiatric RN as well as for the American Red Cross. Where did you find the time to write and what inspired you to even try your hand at being an author?
Ashlyn: A true writer can’t not write. (Pardon the double negative.) A creative soul needs a creative outlet. I tried many creative outlets before writing. I even attended Massachusetts College of Art, but finally stumbled upon my forte. I took a 6 week screenwriting course at U. Mass and learned that version of story-telling first. It wasn’t too difficult to take what I already knew and adapt it for the page.
You make time to do what you really love.
Mythology and folklore tend to be a trend in your writing. What would you say is your favorite genre of mythology or folklore?
Ashlyn: I like the Greek Pantheon, probably because I’m more familiar with it. I find Norse and Celtic mythology fascinating too. Am I taking your question about mythology too literally? If you’re talking about the folklore of vampires, werewolves and the like, many writers come up with different interpretations. I adopt and create my own legends as they make sense to me.
Also, I only know a few authors that pick a wereanimal other than the common wolf variety. Why did you choose to go the path of various animals? Is there a particular reason you chose a peregrine falcon as well as why you chose a raven?
Ashlyn: Peregrine falcons are monogamous. I guess that’s always been a bonus in romance. You want to think of your hero and heroine happily committed to only each other. The raven shifter resulted because of my desire for a secondary character with a morbid sense of humor. That can be a lot of fun. The raven has traditionally been thought of as a harbinger of doom.
There are so many different venues and styles of writing due to the availability of the internet and the commonness of “the blog”. How would you say that affects people who want to become published authors in the future? What do you think about the aspect of items such as ebooks and gadgets like the kindle?
Ashlyn: It’s easier to get published than ever before. An e-publisher can take a chance on a new writer since their financial investment is much lower than a traditional print publisher’s. The kindle with its enormous hype brought ebooks out of obscurity—although e-books and e-readers have been around for a long time. I was e-published first and established myself as a prolific and reliable author with a brand and a fan base that loved my voice. That made me a more attractive risk than someone completely untested.
What advice would you give someone who wants to become an author?
Ashlyn: I always give them the same advice given to me. Don’t give up. When you finish polishing your manuscript, send it out and begin the next one. Rinse and repeat, honing your skills until you hit upon the right editor and timing for your work.
What are your three all-time favorite books?
Ashlyn: My taste is very eclectic. Diana Gabeldon’s Outlander series. Okay, that’s several books but Voyager would be my favorite. The first in MJ Davidson’s Betsy the Vampire Queen series, Undead and Unwed. And finally any John Grisham book, although he doesn’t know how to write a sex scene to save his life.
Yes, you can tell him I said that.
Giveaway
I have 2 copies of Strange Neighbors to give away!
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This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. Deadline to enter is midnight on July 14th.
Giveaway copies were provided free of any obligation by Sourcebooks Casablanca. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.
Category: Giveaways, Interviews, Paranormal, Romance
I would like to enter Strange Neighbors giveaway.
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Thanks for sharing this fascinating interview. I’d love a chance to win this novel.
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This one sounds really good and I would love to read it. Have not heard of it prior to your review. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
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I loved the Outlander series too!
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Strange Neighbors sounds like a book I would like. I know I have had a lot of “strange neighbors” over the years!
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The interview was great. I would love to read the book.
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I really, really, really would love to read this. Thanks for the great giveaway
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I entered your hunger games contest as well )
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ohhh I want to read this one!!!
I always like to read the advice that established writers give to aspiring writers, and I think that Ashlyn’s advice is right on the money. Thanks for sharing with us!
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I totally agree with Ashlyn Chase about Grisham’s love scenes. Everything else in his books I gobble up.
I’d love a copy of Strange Neighbors.
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I’ve entered your giveaway for Unfinished Business.
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Great interview, thanks for the giveaway.
Great giveaway, I’ve been wanting to read these.
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I would love to win Strange Neighbors.
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I would love to win and read this book. I am a avid reader and can’t keep myself in enough books. Thanks for the chance to WIN!
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After learning about Ms.Chase’s reason for using the Peregrine falcon, I look forward to identifying the symbols in her stories.
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I enjoyed reading the interview with Ashlyn Chase and I would love to read her new book, Strange Neighbors. Please enter me in the giveaway.
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Okay so I can not count.let’s make that comment 92 instead of 94.ha Susan L. garysue@dejazzd.com
Make comment 94 a lucky draw and you will see a smile two miles wide on my face. This sounds so good. susan L. garysue@dejazzd.com
Sounds like a good read!
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Thanks for the post. I enjoyed it and I would so enjoy this book. Thanks.
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Hi I’ve never got into fantasy romance but your book sounds unique and interesting. You mentioned Norse mythology. Wotan, the supreme god was known to appear in the guise of a raven–since I believe your book is in the were-bird theme.
Please enter me in the contest. I can’t wait to read it! Thank you.
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Sounds like a great read; I’d love to win a copy!
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I’ve been hearing alot about this one, sounds good!
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Please include me in the giveaway. Intriguing title of this book. Love to win this! Thank you.
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It looks like a great book, please count me in! I love Ashlyn’s eclectic book tastes!
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This book looks so fun
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Thanks everyone! I appreciate the kind comments and encouragement.
Hugs,
Ash
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Great interview. I’d love to read this book. And I also love John Grisham books.
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P.S. I shared this on Facebook and followed the blog as well
Thanks for another great Blog Ash…its always fun hearing about your books!
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Sounds great. Thanks for the chance!
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Sounds like a good book. =)
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No need to enter me. I just posted this for you at win a book!
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I’ve read good reviews about this book. I’d love to win it. Thanks
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Hi Ash!! I’m here to say Hi to my favorite Author and friend, Just some love and support being sent your way. I’m glad to hear you have ebooks too when I get my ereader I’ll have to get them all!!
Your taste in books is really eclectic, not what I thought you’d say I thought you slip something in there That’s erotic since You’ve written that I thought you much read it too. But I don’t think I know any of those books, none sounds very erotic to me.lol
I’m so happy your first book is out. And we get book 2 when, it is next year right?
Well I’ll keep it short today. Hagd today!!!
~ Christine chirth7@yahoo.com
Hi Christine,
Yup, book 2 will be out next year. And don’t worry, I read a lot of erotic romance. But being limited to only 3 favorites was tough! LOL
Ash
I entered the Father’s Day giveaway.
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I read about this book on another blog and thought it sounded like a good read. Would love to give it a try!
Facebook of yours! #2
Merci beaucoup!
Cindi
I am a Facebook fan of Luxury Reading…#1
Merci, Cindi
“Tweet!”
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Again, many thanks!
Cindi
Great interview and her books sounds very
intriguing…
Many thanks, Cindi