Zanna Mackenzie: Interview With An Author

Today I'm delighted to welcome fellow Astraea Press author Ashley Stambaugh to my blog for interrogation (er, I mean interview) and to tell us all about her debut novel Collide...

Tell us a bit about your writing – How long have you been writing? How many books have you written and in what genres?

I’ve been seriously writing since 2008 and started my journey to publication in 2009. Finally in the fall of 2013, after over 100 rejections and two rewrites, I received an offer of publication from Astraea Press. Collide is my first novel, and it’s the first book in a planned trilogy. It does have some romance, but I’d classify it as more of an Urban Fantasy. Paranormal Romance is in my future, though.

Where is your favourite spot in which to write? Garden? Study? Kitchen table? In bed?

I like to write while sitting on my living room couch with my laptop on my lap, and a mug of hot tea or hot chocolate by my side.

Do you prefer to write with pen and paper or straight to the computer?

I write all of my drafts on my computer, but sometimes I make notes with pen and paper.

Do you plan a plot out in great detail before writing or start with the basics and let the book evolve that way?

I make an outline of the major plot points, and then the smaller details evolve as I write.

Do you ever get part way through writing a book and find the characters are leading the story off in a different direction to how you had envisaged?

Yes, but it doesn’t change the main plot line. It just changes how I thought I was going to get from point A to point B.

What is your favourite book of all time?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I know it’s not the genre I write in, but it’s a classic. And the writing is great. There’s nothing better than a well written story!

Advice to aspiring novelists?

Develop thick skin, don’t be afraid to rework your manuscript, and don’t ever give up. This combination will ultimately lead to success!

Melina Rowe never thought her quiet, simple life could change to one full of fear and confusion just by accidentally bumping into someone. But after she collides with an elderly man named Walter, she starts to hear people’s thoughts and have unsettling visions.

Walter reveals himself as a guiding angel and explains to Melina that she’s a rare type of human who can absorb angel powers. But her special ability is more of a problem for her than a gift.

The powers are too strong for humans and will eventually kill Melina unless she can successfully use them to help a select individual who’s in need of guidance. Her chances are slim, though, seeing that the handful of other humans this has happened to before didn't survive.

Scared for her life, Melina desperately tries to help a young man named Lee, but his continual resistance and her struggle with the powers make it almost impossible. Her situation only grows worse when a trio of soul-snatching demons is sent by an unknown entity to take her soul and kill her.

As a determined Walter sets out to discover who sent the demons and why, Melina must defend herself from their relentless attacks all while trying to use powers she doesn’t fully understand to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. If she can’t figure out how to break through to Lee, the powers will ultimately destroy her. But if the powers don’t kill her first, the demons will.

Book excerpt

Chapter One

Melina Rowe peered out of her bedroom window and wrinkled her nose. It was late October, so she knew it was cold outside, but it also appeared to be windy. These weather conditions weren’t her favorite, but she was determined to continue with her morning runs until snow prevented her from doing otherwise. She pulled her long brown hair up into a ponytail, slid a fleece headband on over her ears, and zipped up her coat before heading out her apartment door and down the stairwell to her bookstore below. The store didn’t open for another hour, so she had plenty of time. She took a quick look around and then turned to exit through the back.

Starting off in a slight jog, she followed her normal path toward the park, taking in the city in its early morning state as she went. Traffic was light, and there was only a handful of people out and about. The sky was a dull gray, and brown, dried up leaves swirled and danced around her, giving the city an even gloomier feeling. She hoped the blustery wind didn’t mean rain was on its way.

After only a few short blocks, the wrought iron gates that surrounded the park appeared alongside her. She picked up her pace and rounded a corner to her right, making her way toward the entrance, when she came upon an elderly man walking from the opposite direction. They met each other so suddenly that neither of them had a chance to move out of the way. Melina collided with the man, and it was in that moment that it happened.

As soon as their bodies made contact, she felt a powerful surge of energy pass through her and then a bright white light exploded between them, knocking them both away from each other. Melina, who had been knocked to the ground, pushed herself up to her feet, wondering what had just happened. The sensation that went through her body was like nothing she had ever felt before. It was very sharp and intense, like an electric shock, but at the same time it was soothing and warm. The feeling still lingered in her body as she finally looked over at the man.

After catching his balance, he looked over at her, and she noticed his expression of confusion and shock. His mouth opened as if to say something, but nothing came out. He stared at her for a moment and then finally he spoke to her.

“You,” he muttered.

“Excuse me?” she asked, returning his confused look.

“You’re one of them.”

Buy the book:

Astraea Press

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

About the author

Ashley Stambaugh grew up in a small town in Illinois where she and her two siblings created some of the best memories playing on their family’s farm. She stayed in the southern region of the state to attend college where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and also met her husband.

Now, she and her husband live in central Illinois and spend their time creating new memories with their two rambunctious boys and their comical black Pug. She also enjoys reading, taking long walks, and finding great bargains. When her sons are a little bit older, she has a great desire to travel with her family. Oh, and she also has a slight obsession with chocolate.

When she’s not busy chasing after her two young children or losing herself in a good book, you can find her curled up on her couch with her laptop, writing.

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