What Were You Before
Day 1
1.
What were you before you became an author? Did
this influence your choices as a writer?
Before I became an author, I dabbled in a lot
of different jobs before getting into a career I love. I worked for the
Department of Ecology picking up trash along the highways. That was my first
job, a summer job. I also was a telemarketer for a insurance company, a lawn
service company, and a funeral home. One of my more interesting jobs was that
of a bank teller. When it comes to money, people can be very grouchy. All of my
jobs prepared me for what I am currently, a registered nurse. I’ve been a nurse
for twenty-two years. My main specialty was emergency room nursing. After I had
my twin boys, the hubby and I realized we needed a better work-life balance.
Working evenings and nights, every other weekend, and twelve hour shifts was
tough. So, I transitioned to a position that isn’t focused on patient care but
I am still able to use my “clinical brain.” Now, I help physicians with their
documentation. I am currently the department lead.
All of the above didn’t influence my choice to
become a writer. I became a writer because I wanted to write stories I wanted
to read. I didn’t think I would be publishing them or become a romance author,
but I enjoy the creative side of bringing a story to life on paper (word doc)
as well as the administrative tasks such as looking over images for covers,
formatting my eBook and print books and uploading them to the various vendor
sites. Needing to also use my “clinical brain” in my day job, I don’t think
writing will be a full time pursuit for me. Also, I have four boys to help put
through college 😊.
2.
Are you genre specific or general? I don’t mean
major genres but subdivisions or romance, mystery or paranormal.
I started off writing paranormal romance but
realize I love writing contemporary romance. My love of contemporary romance
then led to the more specific new adult, college romance, especially sports
romance. And that in turn has led to my latest book release, a “mature” high
school romance. I like writing about younger protagonists. There is so much to
explore in regards to first love, insecurities, the uncertainty of the timing
of falling in love, family dynamics, going off to college, etc.
3.
What is your latest release?
My latest book release is Beautiful Defiance.
It’s a bully high school romance with an emphasis on romance rather than the
bullying.
4.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a sports college
romance that focuses on second chances and what happens when meeting your ex
again, they are drastically different than when you first fell in love with
them?
5.
Does your reading choices influence your choice
of a writing career?
It does. In the beginning, I wrote paranormal
romance because that’s what I was primarily reading. Now, I tend to read the
genres and subgenres I write in. Readers have a certain expectation for each
subgenre and I want to meet my readers’ expectations while also giving them
something new. So, give them what they want but put a twist to it.
6. Where can we find you? You can find me at these places.
Also, if a reader subscribes to my newsletter, they get my book, Scars to Your
Beautiful, FREE.
Website:
https://www.ashlynmathews.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashlynmathews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlynmathewsauthor/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gxdjsj
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