The 2018 Author Interview Series Featuring Ashley Moss

This week’s author interview features Tennessee author, Ashley Moss.

On a side note, though the initial response was gratifying, I find myself running out of interview subjects by the end of August. If you haven’t been interviewed, or even if you have and you have a new release coming out, please feel free to contact me to be interviewed at don@donmassenzio.com. I will send you the information and get you scheduled.

You can check out the 210 author interviews I’ve conducted thus far on my Author Directory page HERE.

Now, let’s meet Ashley Moss.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I try to be more original than anything. Sometimes I’ll give readers the endings they want, but for the most part I like to keep them guessing or leave them surprised.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

To learn how to take constructive criticism, and to learn to continuously revise and edit your writing. Constructive criticism doesn’t mean that you’re a bad writer, it just means that your writing needs improvement. A story also needs a great deal of editing, revising, and redrafting to make it as good as it can be.

What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?

The Blacker the Berry by Wallace Thurman

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

Yes, I do read reviews of my book. I appreciate the good reviews because I use them to positively describe the book on my website. I use the bad reviews to improve my writing skills or areas that the reviewer suggests I need improvement in.

Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

Personally, I don’t have any secrets. I’m like an open book. Similarly, all my feelings, thoughts, and opinions spill out onto the pages of the story or poem as I write. Thus, every reader should be able to find clear truths about me in my book.

Do you Google yourself?

Occasionally, I do. I find a few links to my social media accounts and author website when I do. Most of the time, information about a famous football player’s wife pops up when I Google myself though.

What is your favorite childhood book?

My favorite childhood book is Matilda by Roald Dahl or any other childhood books written by him. I also like childhood books written by Judy Blume and Ann M. Martin.

If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?

If I had to do something differently as a teenager to become a better writer as an adult, I would try my hand at writing sooner. I wrote my first poem at the age of twelve, and it wasn’t until I was an adult that I started writing short stories.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Typically, it takes me about a year or a year and a half to write a book. It takes me the same amount of time to write it, whether it’s a book of poetry, a book of short stories, or a novel.

About Ashley:

Ashley Moss was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. She is the middle child of three children born to her mother, and she dearly loves her family. Ashley’s love of reading began when she learned to read at the age of four. From that point on, books and words were her friends. Her passion for writing developed when she wrote her very first poem at the age of twelve. Writing is her solace and comfort in life. Today, her love of reading and writing continues to uplift her in life.

Find Ashley’s Books: