Interview: Ana Ashley

I’m delighted to welcome Ana Ashley today to talk about her new release, How to Catch a Vet! Her story fits in very well with my ‘slightly crazed smallholding’ vibe… Welcome, Ana!

Hi everyone! I’m really pleased to be here today to talk about my new book, How to Catch a Vet. This is the sixth book in the Chester Falls series, which is a small-town romance with all the feels. Don’t take it from me, check out the reviews and you’ll want to move into Chester Falls in no time!

Now for the questions. What started you writing? How did you fall into this writing gig?

I’ve always had this hidden desire to be an author but it wasn’t something I thought about too much until I voiced it in a coaching session. Once those words were out I decided to see where it led me. Four years on and I’m now doing this gig full time.

Where do you write?

I have a makeshift office but it’s not where I tend to write. I prefer to move around. Sometimes I sit outside on the various seating areas we have around the house, or the pool, if it’s not too hot. I like the dining table too because it allows me to spread. My favorite place of all is coffee shops, but sadly it’s been over a year since I’ve been able to do that.

What do you like to read?

I read mostly gay romance. It’s partly research but mostly pleasure because I absolutely love the genre I write in. I also read some craft books about writing and publishing but I need to be in the right mood for those. I’m a romance girl all the way.

What are the three books you’d take to a desert island? Why would you choose them?

Oh my goodness, what a question to ask a reader! I really don’t know. I always think that even my favorite books, if read over and over, would become old news if I couldn’t access other books. I love to reread books and I always find new things I hadn’t noticed before, but I normally have a break between rereads. Can this island have power so I can take three ereaders full of books?

Writing is an intrinsically solo occupation. Do you belong to any groups or associations, either online or in the ‘real’ world? How does that work for you?

My writing goes through stages. Sometimes I need total silence, and other times I need someone around to talk things through. I have a close author friend and we usually skype and write together. We have the option to talk or just be silent but we’re there for each other regardless. I’m in quite a few author groups and have had the pleasure to meet some of my author friends personally at conferences. I love making that personal connection with people.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love baking so when I’m not writing I’m usually thinking of something to bake. We also have a really big garden so I’m learning how to grow things and look after the various fruit trees that came with the house when we bought it. I find it’s good exercise and it helps clear my mind and thinking about my writing, or if I’m stuck in a particular plot point.

Tell me a little bit about your most recent release. What gave you the idea for it? How long did it take to write? What did you enjoy about writing it? What did you hate?

How to Catch a Vet is partly the plot bunny from a reader. She messaged me after How to Catch a Boss released last Christmas saying that Santi, the brother of one of the MCs needed a dedicated and off-the-charts sweet vet that would help him with the great dane he adopted.

In total the book took me 2 weeks to write but many more weeks of research and gathering information. Santi, one of the main characters has an eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which is the reason he had to leave the military. At the same time his Dog, Duchess Olive McPickles, also ends up needing a procedure which is quite common with great danes. These two things alone made it the most challenging book I’ve written research-wise. It was also super fun because alongside this we have a menagerie of animals that steal the show at every chance they have.

After five novels and two shorter stories, writing in this world is like coming home and I always love to include recurring characters. It’s something my readers love as well since they get to see their favorite characters come back. There’s also plenty of shenanigans, so there’s that, too.