Why I Write Straight from my Shameless, Outrageous, Warped Imagination
by Ashlyn Chase
I just read an article about how comedy writers should not use too much humor and how they should temper it, i.e. curb the urge to let the heroine crawl out the bathroom window. Huh? What’s wrong with that? Hey, I’ve done it myself (and I’m not just talking fiction!).
Fine. Some people aren’t comfortable letting their slips show. Isn’t that what editors are for? To reel us in when necessary? I don’t care if my Freudian slips show and it seems to be okay with my editors. Even more okay with fans. I can hardly believe that I actually have fans or that my work generates great reviews and reader mail! Maybe others are warped too, I don’t know.
What I do know is this. 1) Our world can use a few good belly-laughs and a lot of love. 2) I enjoy writing when I’m having fun with it and the more fun I have the less I care what people think. And 3) Readers can tell when words come from a place of passion and truth. My passion is making people laugh.
And truth? You might think that’s an odd word to describe a fiction writer’s goal, especially one who writes Vampire and Shapeshifter comedies. Here’s the thing…a wonderful quote I read ages ago said it best. “You must be fearless to be a writer.” I wish I could remember the fearless female’s name, but I can’t. The idea being that each writer has some sort of truth to tell, regardless of the manner in which they tell it. It takes guts to tell your own truth with your own voice. If you try to write “safe” you run the risk of boring your audience, and boredom is death to an author.
We all have words to live by. Whether positive or negative, some of these words hit a chord and stick. I’ve found some wonderful mentors along the way who’ve imparted words of wisdom I’ll never forget. My number one wise woman was my mother. She often said to me, “Nothing ventured; Nothing gained.” Yup. She was right. Well, except when great things just fall into one’s lap with absolutely no effort, but how often does that happen? It even takes faith, foresight, and effort to buy a lottery ticket.
She also said people would be jealous of me all my life. Wow, that was a trip to lay on a teenager! But she was right about that too. And you can’t let jealousy stop you. Some people will be jealous of the time you spend writing. Tough noogies. Some will be jealous that you can do something they can’t. Yay you. Who knows…some people might even be jealous that you once had the guts to climb out a bathroom window to avoid a lounge lizard who thought he could charm your pants off. So what? Be fearless enough to write about it. Whatever your gift, embrace it. Be passionate about it. Write whatever you really love and take no prisoners!
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Thanks for hosting me today, Delilah. You know you’re my inspiration, right? I love how you write straight from your heart and I’ll bet lots of readers agree.
Hugs,
Ash 😀
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Hi Ash! That was real uplifting. Your lucky to have had a positive Mom that would say go for it!! or nothing ventured Nothing Gained and to have had all the mentors all the way! You must have had a real can do attitude to do all you’ve done in your life and now a successful writer too!!! I think you’d be one of those people who everyone wants to hang out with!! I know I do. LOL I think writers in general seem a little different from your average person. Having never been around a writer, just speaking with you through 100’s of emails I can tell your real interesting and funny and can be serious but with wild Imagination!! That could be a lot of fun at a party!!! lol
I love all your books and I’m looking forward to when I have the whole Strange Neighbors series next year!! YAY!!!
~ Hugs, Christine 🙂
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Thank you, Christine!
You are SO right about authors being “different.” Most of us agree we’re a tad crazy.
And if I’m with friends at parties I can have a good time. But plop me down in a group of strangers and watch me clam up! In that way, I think I’m normal.
Ash
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I think authors must be goal orientated. I’m seen so many bios and you all have done amazing things career wise before you started writing. I feel so unaccomplished around you all. lol
I wish I had that drive to succeed in school and go on to college, but all I aspired to be was a great wife. Now I was a great wife too, I spoiled my husband rotten and I’m paying for it 20 yrs later. LOL
I use to be able to talk to anyone anywhere though, but I’ve changed quite a bit since I grew in sizes, not so confident anymore. But I’ve always been a huge people person, I get that from my Dad. 🙂
Oh Would you consider yourself to have or be an eclectic personality?
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Eclectic personality? That’s a term I haven’t heard. Did you mean Eccentric? If so, then yes…kind of. A new bookstore owner near me was looking for authors to do signings. After he met me he said, “You’re the most normal author I’ve ever met.” 😯 I just said, “Oh dear!”
Ash
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Ash, I have to tell you that your books are such great copmfort food for me. I know that whenever I’ve had a bad or grumpy day, I can settle down with a book like, for example, Strange Neighbors, and your wonderful sense of humor will make it all better. Keep it up, girl. you rock.
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LOL Yes I did!!! ROFLOL Thanks for picking that up!!
Well You Must be normal then, 😉
~ Hugs, Christine
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Thank you, Desiree!
I’m not sure if I mentioned this to you or not, but I’m “paying it backward.” I was yanked out of a very emotional time by reading romance novels. The healthy escape was so needed, so cheap and so effective.
Ash
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Ash,
Great post. But honestly, I can’t picture you
wearing a slip. You only said that for the post didn’t you? 😯
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I really liked this post. Thanks for sharing it. Whatta Mum!!
Valerie
in Germany
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LOL, Sherry. You know me so well. I might have a slip in the bottom dresser drawer, which is where I shove my spanx, PJ’s and other things I never wear. LOL.
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Hey, Valerie! Guten tag.
Great to “see you” here. I’ll bet you’re a Delilah fan too.
Ash
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Ash, your books sure has kept me company may times and I thank you for them. susan Leech
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I love it when my books make me laugh out loud. I even like it when the funny stuff comes into the sex parts. It makes it that much more real. 🙂
Kelly
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Thank you for letting me know that, Susan. 😀
And, Kelly, I try to be serious during the love scenes, but sometimes I see a chance for humor and can’t resist. When it comes to being p.c. or getting a laugh, I’ll go for the cheap shot every time! LOL
Ash
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Wonderful post. I love to read a book that has some humor in it.