Welcome! I climbed out of the bear den long enough to do a long awaited author interview with Ashley Howland. Please raise your paws and give me a hand in welcoming Ashley.

***For all of you who don’t know why I am talking in code, I’m on a sabbatical and told everyone I was climbing into the cave for a few months. Don’t you know, a bear has to come out of the bear den and find a little fodder to eat and stretch once in awhile…right?

Hugs,

-Virginia

On with my guest author, Ashley Howland:

Ashley Howland lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She lives with her husband Ross, two daughters, Mr addy Aijay and her two spoilt Labradors Obi and Stitch. Her girls inspire her everyday to write children’s books and the dogs often provide the material. Ashley also works as the curriculum manager for Labs ‘n Life. This requires random extra Labradors to appear in their lives and of course in Ashley’s stories. You can find more information about Ashley and her books here: http://ahowland.org/

The Homework Goblin

Jason has finally finished his homework on time. He leaves it on his desk, ignoring the advice from his big sister, only to discover The Homework Goblin has stolen it! Jason

chases the goblin on an amazing adventure. Will he get his homework back?

Have you ever lost your homework? Maybe The Homework Goblin stole it?

 

 

 

 

Ashley please give us a brief introduction of yourself as an author, i.e., where you are from, how long you have been writing, etc,

I have been writing stories as long as I can remember. I just love coming up with crazy ideas and getting them down on the computer. I also love writing with my girls, they certainly provide me with lots of material! My first book was published in 2009 and that was an amazing feeling, it’s actually got better each time and is something I really look forward to!

Writing is my hobby, it’s my release. Sometimes I wish I had more time, but I also think my stories are better because I have so much else going on in my life.

I wish I had more time to write too!! What I am learning though, as author’s we have to steal the time!

What are the names of your books?

My three children’s novels are:

Ghostnapped – a mystery about a young girl who wants to be a world famous explorer. On a camping trip her younger brother is Ghostnapped and she must solve a mystery of the past to rescue him. Along the way she discovers a truly unique monster.

Obi the Super Puppy and the Mystery of the Red Mist – this is Obi (my yellow Labrador) reliving his first adventure. He tells Maddy and Aijay how he became a super puppy and began his journey fighting evil. He must stop an evil red mist from destroying all Labradors.

The Homework Goblin – Jason finishes his homework only to discover the Homework Goblin has stolen it. Will he get it back on time?

My flash fiction fairy tales also appear in a Chapter Book Challenge anthology that is due to be released soon!

Your books sound wonderful! I LOVE your cover of The Homework Goblin!  Wishing you all the best on your new release to!

What inspires you to write?

My girls (aged 6 and 4), they are so creative and love telling everyone that Mummy writes books. They also love to read and hear my stories. Recently they have started to put in orders for books, so they certainly keep me busy. My dogs also inspire me. I work with Obi and Stitch and a host of other Labradors. They are amazing animals, so patient, but they are also clowns. A lot of my ideas come from them. This year I have also participated in blog challenges and the Chapter Book Challenge, these have given me new ideas too. It’s nice to interact with other authors and to share ideas. I also enjoy challenging myself.

Lucky girls!

Do you prefer to write in silence or listening to music?

I just like having the time to write. Although I tend to write in silence, it doesn’t actually bother me. If I am on a roll nothing will distract me. I even have to set an alarm if I have something else that needs to be done! I just love getting the time to write, so anywhere, anytime, through any noise!

I’m a silence person and a music person…it depends on what I am writing!

What time of the day do you find yourself writing the most?

Mainly at night, only because there is always other things to do during the day. Even on the days I don’t work it’s hard to find the time to actually write. So I try to get everything else done. Then when the house is quiet I can sit and write without thinking about other things that need to be done!

I’m a night writer too!

Tell us a little bit about your next WIP?

I have a few at the moment. I am editing the sequel to Obi the Super Puppy and the Mystery of the Red Mist. It’s lots of fun and introduces some of my other favourite dogs. I have called it Obi the Super Puppy and the Quest for the Last Laugh. I am hoping to have it ready for assessment and editing very soon!

I am also working on some flash fiction – a female super hero piece. Which I got my girls to help me with. They had so much fun and have given me so much material I can probably make a whole series of chapter books. For now the flash fiction piece will have to do!

The other one is a challenge about finding a charm. I have the dolphin charm, so will see how my girls go with that. They are a great help.

Other projects include a series of chapter books about the girl’s adventures. Once again they have given me too much material.

I am also editing a longer novel for teens. This is going to take some time, but I am hopeful  that it will be ready for publishing next year.

Nothing like being busy!

I agree Ashley, isn’t it grand! Wishing you the best with all your WIP’s!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where can people contact you?

Email: Ashley@ahowland.org

Web page: http://ahowland.org/

Face book: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAshleyHowland

Ghostnapped Face book: https://www.facebook.com/Ghostnapped

Obi Face book: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Obi-the-Super-Puppy/575191985848747

Purchase Ghostnapped: http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/Ghostnapped.html

Purchase Obi the Super Puppy and the Mystery of the Red Mist: http://sbpra.com/AshleyHowland/

Purchase The Homework Goblin: http://sbpra.com/presaleashleyhowland/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AshleyHowland

Blog: http://ghostnapped.wordpress.com/

http://stitchsays.wordpress.com/

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Ashley-Howland/e/B00BQA4XRO

Thank you for stopping by Ashley!