Interview with Ashleigh Sexsmith
Published 2016-01-30.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
What motivates someone to become an indie musician? The need to create and not have to answer to anything but my creative vision.
What are you working on next?
Period (pre-Revolutionary France) erotica. Another fake celebutante diary. A post apocalyptic sci-fi novel.
Who are your favorite authors?
Jane Austen, William Gibson, Robert E. Howard, Aldous Huxley, Hideyuki Kikuchi, Stephen King, Anais Nin, George Orwell, Pauline Reage, J. K. Rowling, Jonathan Swift, Voltaire.
What is your writing process?
Step 1: Live life, note and plan. Step 2: Find sensory deprivation chamber. Step 3: Write until I can't write anymore or am terminally interrupted. Step 4: Doubt whether I should continue Step 5: Edit and realize it's not that bad.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I remember at the time thinking it was a cool story. Now I realize it stayed in the back of my psyche and reminds me of the idea that a mundane item can transport you to another place. It's a profound and pervasive idea. It makes me look at all doors as if they are portals to another place.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Literally forming the ideas in my head into concrete transferable information. If you look sideways it's like you can see a bit of my soul.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes. I was in Hawaii when I was alone. It was naughty.
Describe your desk
Empty save for my laptop... and smart phone... and tablet. But seriously that's all.
How do you approach cover design?
I have a "brand" template with minimalist approach and agonize over the centerpiece. I bounce ideas and mock ups off trusted friends to see what piques their interest.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
ePub: iPhone 6+, PDF: iPad or MacBook Air.
What do your fans mean to you?
I write for myself, but they are the reason I publish. It's scary to take something you create and allow others to consume and critique it. One good word is worth it.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Playing games with friends and family. Painting. Exercising.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The world is a strange and wonderful place. I can't wait to write about the things I've learned.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Either from authors I already know or totally random from Google or bookstore searches.
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