2021 Mentee Interviews

Tell us a little about yourself. Who are you, what do you write, and what are you working on right now?

I currently reside in Northwest Arkansas with my husband and two daughters. When I’m not playing with my kids or watching anime with my husband, I’m a high school English teacher and senior editor for the NoSleep Podcast, a horror anthology podcast. I have had several stories produced on the podcast. Writing usually fits in after everyone has went to bed. I write mostly YA horror/dark fantasy.

Right now, I am working on an MG ghost story. An 11yo ghost girl scares off all the owners of the accordion she’s tied to, until she finds a young boy who cares about it as much as she does. Finally happy with her place, her world is rocked when the young boy is kidnapped. She’s the only witness, and she’s got to figure out a way to tell his parents before the unthinkable happens. @authormorganw made this awesome aesthetic for me.

What kind of stories are you interested in exploring in your career as an author?

I love all things horror and paranormal for all audiences, but I also want to explore more YA contemporary stories as well. I’ve had some story ideas that were inspired by my real-life experiences I really hope to draft one day. One story is based on my father’s run-in with the town sheriff, the other is going to be my experience finding my birth family.

What's the best thing about you as an author?

I meet those deadlines, baby. During this mentorship, I did a complete rewrite of my whole manuscript from 3rd person POV to 1st, while also adding more scenes. I was still teaching and had two little ones at home, but time management works if you work it (even if you’re writing deep into the night because that’s all the time you had that day).

Don’t get me wrong, I hit some BLOCKS. But I know when to step away, do some self-care, and come back to it. Self-care is a must for all writers. Find whatever comforts you the most, take a break when you’ve hit your limit and enjoy those comforts.

How have you developed as an author during this mentorship period? Is there anything that you didn't think before about the craft that you think now?

I had an amazing mentor that stayed with me every step of the way. She gave me great feedback, and even if it was a bit hard to swallow at first, I realized why she was right, and quickly got on board. I am an underwriter and with this mentorship I had to push myself to add more that worked with my story. One resource that helped was the Emotional Thesaurus and the Emotional Wound Thesaurus. My mentor gave me some great resources as well.

I think having a mentor has given me a taste of what it may be like to work with an agent or editor, to be open minded to their feedback and work together to stay true to your creative vision through the revisions.

If every book is a book baby, then it takes a village to raise a book. Are there any people who stand out to you as people who helped you in your writing journey?

Dannie M Olguin has been the mentor anyone could ask for. If it wasn’t for her push, Devil’s Harvest would not be the horrifying, amazing story it is today.

Maria Tureaud @maria_tureaud was one of the first editors to read DH in it’s entirety, and she had excellent feedback for me. She’s been in my corner ever since, cheering me on and pushing me out of my imposter syndrome slump.

My #llamasquad on Twitter was my very first writing group ever. We’re going on about 3 years strong. Those llamas helped educate me when I was new to the publishing world and have been there to listen to any woes and venting while in the query trenches and beyond. I wouldn’t have known anything about the amazing opportunities in the #WritingCommunity if not for them.

My AMM CP group that consists of Davis Walden @daviswaldeniv and Morgan Valko @morganvalko. These two are amazing writers, and to have their eyes on DH has been so helpful.

Last but certainly not least, Morgan Wilson @authormorganw. Morgan is my anchor in this crazy ocean that is publishing. They’re here for all my wild ideas, whether they make sense or not, and they cheer me on.

Thanks to everyone who has ever given me words of encouragement to write.

What do you think is the biggest necessity for a group of writing friends?

Be there for each other through the success stories and the rejections. It’s absolutely okay to cheer friends on as they jump past the next publishing hurdle even when you feel you’re still stuck at the starting line. It’s not jealousy, it’s being there for your friends while still feeling your own emotions.

And don’t forget to actually read each other’s work. Give positivity passes or critiques. Help each other grow.

Any parting words for young writers looking for guidance, or a community?

• Find a writing group

• Read in your genre as much as you write, if not more.

• Read craft books. Ask for recommendations from your group depending what you need to work on. Be always willing to listen and grow.

What about your own craft, interests, and abilities drew you to your mentee and their work?

I'm a huge fan of Horror, and am always reading a horror novel alongside something else. THE DEVIL'S HARVEST immediately grabbed my attention because it's so close to the working title of my own YA horror WIP. I absolutely fell in love with the concept and by the time I'd finished the first page, I knew I wanted to be Ashley's mentor. She grabbed me with the title and concept, but the novel's voice is what hooked me. It also didn't hurt that the two of us have some weirdly specific yet random things in common. I'm not one to believe in messages from the universe or whatever, but it seriously felt like something was trying to push me and Ashley together.

Do you have a message for anyone interested in your mentee's work?

First of all, congratulations on your incredible taste!

Secondly, and probably most importantly, I need to gush about what a great mentee she was. She takes feedback like a dream, yet she knows how to advocate for herself and her story without coming across as dismissive. She's the kind of writer who is thrilled to get good feedback but is secure enough in her own skill and story to professionally push back against suggestions that she felt wouldn't work for THE DEVIL'S HARVEST.

Finally, you gotta know that when Ashley tells you she'll get her revisions to you by X date, you can be damn sure she'll meet that deadline. She works incredibly well under deadlines and the pages she turned in to me blew me away time after time. If you work with Ashley, (C'mon, do it! You know you want to!) you'll be working with a wonderful writer, but also a professional who takes her craft and her career seriously. Being Ashley's mentor has been a fantastic experience and I'm so thankful she accepted my offer of mentorship.