Interview with Author Ashlyn Briscoe
Ashlyn Briscoe is a close friend to writing coaches, Jana and Abigail. She recently finished her first novel, The Silver Locket. It is now available on amazon.
Q: How long have you worked on The Silver Locket?
A: I have been working on The Silver Locket for four years…
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Q: Does Isabella Wiley (the main character) resemble you in any way?
Q: Why did you choose to publish with CreateSpace?
Q: What writing resources helped you to become who you are as a writer?
A: I got my hands on whatever I could–Creative Writing by Ruth E. McDaniel was a good start. Elements of Style, a small little gray pocket book by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White, really gave me some tips. The 3 main things that helped me were:
1) Get a writing coach!
2) Read books with a similar style to yours–don't read books that don't reflect what you need…and beware of movies! They are not books. I have watched a few where a character just jumped off the screen at me and I was like "that's him! that's just how I want him to act!" But beware;-)
3) Also get writing friends who will read your work ALOUD to you and give you ideas in person. It's amazing how that will help–even if it's a bit embarrassing;-) Thanks, Abi and Jana!
Q: What was your favorite scene to write in The Silver Locket? Which one was the hardest?
A: My favorite scenes are pretty much any with Paul in them. If I had Paul in a scene I rarely had to even edit it;-) He just sort of wrote himself, and was a good compliment to Isa. The hardest scene was where Isa goes for Parnell's help at the hotel–I lost count how many times I rewrote that scene. I think I could still rewrite it;-)
Q: What advice would you give to other young writers?
A: Be CONSISTENT. As painful as it is to force write–do it. Force write when words won't come. Yes, it's ugly and makes you cringe. But remember–you can't edit a blank piece of paper. Write something on it, even if it's rotten, because it can be edited. Hang in there!
Q: How did The Silver Locket evolve over time?
A: If I had stuck with the original plot outline and then compared it to the book now–I would have two completely different stories. It changed DRAMATICALLY. The key is to ask yourself "do I like this the way it is? Am I REALLY happy with it?" If the answer is "I guess"–write it again. Even change the plot to create what you're wanting. Write and rewrite and rewrite. My writing coach, Jonathan Friesen, was quite shocked a few times when I would completely reorganize the whole story with new characters, different plot, different heart cry….until I was happy with it–even outside of what I was asked to do in an assignment. I remember him saying once "Wow–Okay, this works too. Whatever you think." If I began to get too many characters I would double some up and use them for two things–always keep your core group of characters small. Work your story over. Make it what you want it to be. I was originally going to use the southern 1800's theme without going into slavery at all…but i just couldn't do it…next thing I knew it was almost the main theme. Jess's original name was Lilah. It didn't fit. Levi was added later when I needed some "men" for the slave scenes. Paul jumped in to help free the slaves. Originally he didn't know a thing about it.
A: My next writing project is Charlotte's Hope. A story that Jana, Abi and I started together. It just needs to be rewritten because we don't like it as is! My goal is nine months…till my love comes home. Then Charlotte will hopefully (and with lots of prayer) have a story all her own…and one that we are happy with;-)
Q: What have you been doing since highschool, and what do you enjoy doing for fun?
A: I graduated from highschool in 2009. I considered college, and even sent in two applications to different ones. God holds us in His hand and He is Sovereign. He had other plans for me. I still dream that I went to college, but I am so excited about where God has me right now. I am involved with ministry at my church and enjoy serving my family–helping teach homeschool to my 4 yr. old brother Jeremiah and all the other things that need doing–cooking, cleaning house and being available. On November 8th, 2009, Brandon Busenitz asked to court me. Someday and Lord willing, I will be his wife and help him take over the farm that he was raised on. For now he is off to Bible college for this year, but he has promised to come back for me. While he is away my goals are to finish writing Charlotte's Hope, finish reading through the Bible, teach Sunday School, help other homeschool families, and many other things! Every now and then I slip outside to ride my mare, Wendy, barefoot and bareback down Kansas country roads…just to let the breeze catch my hair.