Meet Ashley Michelle, the author of His To Claim and Arrow of Artemis, she’s a twenty-something-year-old who currently resides on the eastern coastline of the US, but she suffers from a severe case of wanderlust that keeps her from settling down in one place for long.
She always had an interest in books, from the moment that she learned to read which was a lot older than most kids. Books became her sanctuary during good times and bad. She could become anything or anyone. She got to go on these amazing journeys and meet amazing people all from the comfort of her house. She thinks it was those younger years that inspired her to create the worlds and characters that she has in the stories that she wrote. She simply wants to give others the joy of an amazing journey that so many others have given to her.
Learn more about her:
Do you have any amazing stories about your fans? Any favorite fan stories?
I don’t have anything other than the fact that they span across the different countries and we are able to connect over my characters and stories. It’s great to tear down barriers and just realize no matter our differences we all have common ground.
What’s your favorite thing about being a writer?
I love that I get to share voices with the world. All different kinds of characters from different lifestyles, cultures, and backgrounds. Every person has a story to tell that is unique and yet inclusive. I’ve learned that there is more that brings us together than tears us apart.
Who is your favorite character that you wrote?
This is so hard. So far, I’d say my favorite character is either Grace from His to Claim or Stevie from Arrow of Artemis. They’re definitely strong females for different reasons. They are flawed for sure, but they are exactly the type of women that I girls can look up too.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I think I had to be about eleven years old. There was a writing contest at our school that I entered and won first place. The next time I really decided to pursue it was in high school and I had to write a story for my sophomore English class. It’s funny to read it now but I think that was the moment I knew this was something that mattered to me.
Do you have any fun facts about your book?
“I rewrote His to claim three times. Originally I planned for Scarlett to get back with David in the first draft.
Claire was supposed to still be alive and a villain. In one version Scarlett killed her father who was a drunk and suffering madness from losing his mate. (Her mother). Wyatt was always meant to be killed.”
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
It depends on what I’m writing, to be honest.
What is your favorite quote?
“I am the master of my fate. The captain of my soul.” – Willaim Henley
Who do you say has inspired you the most?
My fellow writers, those that are still trying to reach their dreams and those that already have. I know how hard they work and how much time they put in to create these wonderful stories.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors out there?
Always write what is in your heart. It doesn’t need to be popular. Trends change constantly. You should write about what you’re passionate about…all those things that move you and get you excited.
What’s your favorite part of your own book?
Depends on which book. If we mean my most loved book…I’d say the chapter where Christa is banished. There is something about that chapter that really holds true for my own person. She had lost the one person who had raised her (even though she may have disliked him) and instead of taking her birthright she chose banishment. Beyond that, it would be the chapter where Knox attack Noah. It’s a huge turning point in his and Scarlett’s relationship.
Do you have a writing routine? If yes, what is it?
Mostly it is that I write in blocks. So, I have focused moments of the writing of twenty-five minutes followed by a five-minute break… on and on, until I finish the chapter I was working on. Usually, I have character playlists to help keep me in that moment as well.
Who is your favorite author and why?
This is so hard. I want to say, Jane Austen, because she was truthful to her times, and had a spin of humor and romance which is exactly what I strive for.
What are you writing now?
Currently, I’m writing an adventure/romance called The Sidekick Program. It follows a girl with deadly abilities seeking redemption for past sins. She gets put into the sidekick program and paired with a broken “Hero”. She’ll either strive towards the light or fall back into the shadows.
What inspires you to write?
“Music, real-life experiences and random Prompts.”
It’s a wrap!
Make sure to grab Ashley Michelle’s His To Claim and Arrow of Artemis on Amazon (don’t forget to leave a review) 😉 , or sign up for her newsletter for updates and freebies! You can also like her on Facebook and follow her on Goodreads. 🙂