Meet the Author: Ashley Greathouse
Happy Friday Eve Everyone!
It’s been a little bit since I’ve had an author interview, and I’m excited to share with you my brief digital sit down with Ashley Greathouse, fellow horror and suspense author.
Ashley has published a number of short stories, and has recently released her debut novel, The Schatten.
Before we get started, a little more about how I know her. To be quite honest, I’m not sure where I started following Ashley from on Facebook (we are members of several Facebook writing groups), but it has been several months. She has an extremely healthy sense of humor, and I live for her posts most days.
Once I became a member of her more private group on Facebook, I had to get to know her better.
All right, let’s get started, shall we?
Ashley Greathouse
Bio:
My least favorite thing is talking about myself… if I must, then aside from my writing, I live a boring life. Truth be told, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I live in a small town in southern Indiana with the love of my life and our amazing son. I work full-time at a financial institution and have also recently taken on a role with Bedlamite Publishing. Still, I stay very active with my supporters on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.Â
The Interview
Hi Ashley, thanks so much for stopping by. To keep things interesting, I like to ask my interviewees a random question to get the blood flowing. Here’s yours!
Walking through the forest, you unearth a magical relic that could give you and your friends superhuman abilities. The tradeoff: demons will hunt you down to the death to steal your powers. What do you do?
Naturally , I befriend the demons and gain their trust. They had been working their tails off for years with little to no pay, no holiday time off, and without any praise. They were taken back by my sweet and nurturing tone when I acknowledged their hard work and dedication that it took to track me down. Once they were able to hear me out they didn’t really feel the need to return to their life of obeying a master. We are currently house shopping and rebranding their names that have went too long being not a name, but a symbol for those to gain power over them.
LMAO! I absolutely love what you did with this question. I would probably do something similar, at the very least telling them to knock it off and let me be their new overlord. Muahaha!
Ashley and the Writing Process
How do you find inspiration to write?
I write about my own insecurities and fears. Trust me when I say this, I’m a very insecure person who has a lot of irrational fears.
That’s really interesting, I’ve never thought of writing with that as my inspiration. It’s okay, we all have our own set of insecurities and fears.
What kind of setting do you write in most times?
Wherever I can. Generally that is in my car during my lunch break or I’m plopped down on my bedroom floor surrounded by coffee and snacks.
Haha, nice! I use my lunch break for writing too, though doing it where I work can be kind of stressful since it can get noisy. It’s either that or my bedroom with the music turned way up!
How long have you been writing?
Since I was a wee child.
Me too! I wrote stupid little stories about me and my friends going on adventures.
Why do you write?
I write to overcome my fears.
Wow, that’s such a noble cause for writing. I mainly write to entertain my overly creative mind and achieve some kind of purpose.
What is your favorite part of writing?
Creating a story that is all my own and being able to share it with the world.
I couldn’t agree with you more. It really is quite the feeling.
What genre is your favorite to write in? Why?
Horror. There is just something therapeutic about it.
Totally! There really is something intriguing and interesting about writing a horror story, isn’t there? Of course I want to branch out and will be soon, but horror will always have a special dark place in my heart.
Are you working on any projects at the moment?
Yes, Lily. A gruesome story about a man who has made it his mission in life to rehabilitate serial killers, starting with the infamous Lily whose killing spree has lasted for over a decade.
Oh wow, that sounds interesting! I can’t wait for the release. Definitely keep me posted.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
The moment I published.
 Yeah, there’s definitely no going back after that point! Man, that rush from publishing the first book was sublime. *looks dreamily into space*
Describe your writing style.
Amateur.
Lol, you are not amateur! I mean, I guess at times I have felt that way too because I have no formal education in writing other than some creative writing courses from college, but still. We all have value to add to this world.
What is the hardest lesson you had to learn as a writer?
Marketing will take up more time than writing.
OMG, tell me about it! I have honestly been slacking off a bit lately (as in the past two-three months) because I’ve decided the creative process is more important. Still, at times I feel I really do need to do more to get myself out there.
What are some of the challenges you face as a writer?
Time management has been a real thorn in my side.
You are not alone! I honestly only get about an hour and a half to write per day, and that’s only by chiseling time out in advance. You can only imagine the death glares I give to people who try to interrupt me during my sacred hour and a half of the day.
Not including family, who supported your efforts to become a published author?
Colin Can Help.
 Ah, I haven’t heard of that before, but yeah, there’s definitely a lot of resources out there that are super helpful to aspiring writers and authors. I personally used Scribophile for years. I don’t really get on there much anymore, but I try to keep up to date with people.Â
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Fun Facts About Ashley
Could you tell us a couple fun facts about you?
Technically, I died once – It didn’t take. I also sleep with a light on. Yes, I’m in my 30’s…
Wow, seriously? We’ve got to talk more about this sometime. You’ll get no shame from me on having the lights on. I used to be super afraid of the dark as a kid. Haha, you’re not alone. I’m 32 *gasp*.
What’s your favorite place that you’ve travelled to?
Hershey, Pennsylvania.
 Oh nice! I haven’t been to the east coast in over a decade, but I’m big on travel so I’d love to visit someday!Â
If you had to choose one type of food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mexican!
 Aha! Mexican is very good. Personally, I’d pick either Chinese or Japanese food. I love me some sushi, especially spicy tuna rolls. Gimme, gimme, gimme!
If you could choose to be any supernatural creature, what would you be and why?
A vampire, I too would love to sleep all day.
 Lol! Vampires are the first supernatural creature I was introduced to, so I would probably pick that as well. I mean, who doesn’t want immortality?Â
Marvel or DC?Â
My heart can’t handle being torn like this! *takes all my comics and runs*
 *runs after you* Hey, we’re not done yet! No, I totally see where you’re coming from. I used to be a solely Marvel guy, but in the past few years I’ve done DC characters for Halloween. I still haven’t read any DC comics, but I do respect both.Â
What are you reading now?
Pandora Reborn by John Coon.
 Oh, that’s on my TBR! Sorry, I have so many books on my plate that I don’t necessarily remember it unless I look at my GoodReads. I’m actually about to start reading Animorphs #15. Yes, I am still a child. I dun wanna grow up, not ever!
What is your favorite genre to read? Why?
Supernatural thrillers. The heart wants what the heart wants.
 Touche. I love anything paranormal, horror, scifi, or fantasy, it just depends on my mood.Â
Star Wars or Star Trek? OR Doctor Who?Â
Doctor Who.
 Yes! David Tennant is the only Doctor for me. Timey wimey!Â
Though if we’re being honest, I’m a fan of all three.My ranking would probably be
- Star Trek
- Doctor Who
- Star WarsÂ
If you were a tree, what kind would you be and why?
An Ash tree *budam tis*
 LMAO, you are too much! It turns out there’s such a thing as a Jonathan apple tree, so I guess that’s me. Jonny Apple Seed, haha!
What did you read as a kid? What stuck with you the most?
Goosebumps.
 YES!!! You know, it’s funny how many people say that Goosebumps stuck with them. I’ve got plans to re-read at least some of them once I get through my Animorphs re-read. Can’t wait!Â
What do you think would be a fitting epitaph on your gravestone (not meant to be dark, I swear! )
I’m a huge hypochondriac, so much that I diagnosed myself. My epitaph would read, “She said she was dying”.
*rolls on the floor clutching my side* I can’t! Mine would probably say “Ajax was here” with claw marks through the stone. Ajax is my black cat, and would most likely be my cause of death, haha!
Ashley and Her Works
Tell us about your new book.
The Schatten was inspired by a true event I experienced as a child. What made that experience stand out to me is that I was far from alone. Many others worldwide have seen the ‘Hat Man’ or ‘Shadow Man’
You know, it’s really quite eerie that you brought this up. I’ve seen the shadow man/men many a time. In the past seven years it’s dwindled down quite a bit, but it used to be a regular occurrence that scared the living daylights out of me, especially when you wake up and he’s by your bedside. *shudders*
How did you come up with the title for this book?
Like myself, my Grandmother had also encountered the ‘Shadow Man’ when she was young. I wanted a way to pay tribute to her and I found that in her German heritage. Instead of giving my story the title ‘The Shadow’, I used the German word for shadow which is Schatten.
 That’s very ingenius of you! I love it.Â
What did you find was the hardest part about writing this book?
Reliving that terrifying night.
Oh goodness, that sounds like quite the nightmare. I’ll have to check out your book then and compare our experiences. I’m sure it’s terrifying!
All right, it looks like our time’s up. Before we go, do you have any advice for new writers?
Find a support group then market your heart out!
 Totally! Finding your scribe tribe (as I like to call it anyways) is super important. People who will stick by you no matter what because they are great friends and writers as well, so they know the struggles you’re going through. Online groups can be super instrumental in you building a following. I mean, that’s why I have the following I do today.Â
Thanks for stopping by everyone!
That’s a Wrap!
All righty book worms, that wraps up my interview with Ashley Greathouse. I always have a great time chatting it up with her, and I hope you enjoyed the experience too!
If you’d like to learn more about Ashley and her work, she can be reached at the social media links provided below.
Thank you for stopping by, and have a great day!
Social Media and Purchase Links
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Great interview. Thank you.
Sure thing, always glad to introduce new authors into the fold!