It’s time for another author interview! This month’s blog is dedicated to an outstanding romance author, Ashley R. King. I never read romance before reading her first book, Painting the Lines (released 2020) and soon became a fan of hers and of the genre. Now she is releasing her second book, Forever After, this month (11-18-21)! I had the honor of reading it as an Advanced Reader Copy and loved every second. It’s the perfect mix of creepy and cute in a world of a vampire reality show where love, and murder, ensue. I cannot recommend this book enough, as well as everything this fabulous author writes. Read below to see her insights for you.
What motivated you to keep going on the major project of writing your book(s)?
My amazing husband has encouraged and motivated me the most. In 2011 I thought, hey I’ve always wanted to write a book, I should give it a shot and he encouraged me every step of the way. I self published that one and then went on to keep writing. For a while there I wondered if my writing could ever get published by an actual publisher. So I wrote more and kept getting rejected (as is the life of an author, am I right? Lol).
I thought about quitting, but my husband, oh my sweet husband, he would send me Rocky Balboa memes and gifs and play that scene from the Rocky Balboa movie where he gives the best motivational speech ever. Then he’d play Runnin’ from the Creed 2 soundtrack or he’d cue that scene up where Adonis Creed is in the desert training and getting ready to fight Viktor Drago again (okay, we’re clearly HUGE Rocky Balboa and Adonis Creed film fans here). That along with my husband’s sweet words and notes inspired me to keep going even when I wanted to give up, to dig deep, and do what I’d always dreamed I’d do—publish a novel with an actual publisher. This is exactly how Painting the Lines was born!
What gives you energy and joy?
What gives me the most energy and joy is spending time with my husband. It doesn’t matter how bad of a day I’ve had, being around him always makes me feel much better. I also get immense joy from reading a really good book, from having a great writing session, snuggling and playing with my sweet, spoiled cat child, Cleo. Traveling also gives me such energy and joy and never fails to inspire me to create.
Share one meaningful aspect of you that appears in your writing. This can be personality, physical attributes, or anything else.
I include a lot of little pieces of myself in my writing for sure. Most of my heroines are snarky and awkward, just like I am. I’m slowly starting to integrate a few other deeper things that I deal with such as anxiety and overthinking. It was so meaningful to me when you did that, and you inspired to try and add more of that part of me into my own books. So thank you for that! 😊 (AWWWW- thanks so much. Ashley!)
What is your next project or goal? If it is a book, tell us about it and when you hope to publish it.
My very first paranormal romance novel, Forever After, will publish on November 18th and book 2 in the Ace of Hearts series, The Wilde Card, will publish February 15th of next year. I’m working on those two series, but also I’m working on a top secret rom-com project and hope to finish it by the end of the month. I have so many ideas but not enough time to write them all lol.
Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me—it’s been a pleasure and I truly do appreciate it! 😊
The pleasure is all mine, Ashley! I can’t wait for more books from her. Keep them coming!
Also, check out her first novel!
Social media links and website:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyrkingwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyrkingwrites
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashleyrkingdaydreamers
Twitter: @ashleyk628 (currently on hiatus)
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19795783.Ashley_R_King
Website: https://ashleyrking.weebly.com/
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OMG! I’m fangirling over here! Big time!
Haha! As you should be with Ashley. She’s amazing. 🙂
Oh! No! I’m totally fangirling for both of you!
You are cracking me up!! Thank you so much.