Charlotte Ashley

As part of our SFFWorld.com’s Member Spotlight Series, Nila interviews Charlotte Ashley, avid fantasy/science fiction reader, writer, and bookseller!

Hello Charlotte, thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to chat with me.

Charlotte: There is very little I like more than cramming one more thing into my schedule! I think this will be fun. 🙂

SFFWorld: What’s your SFFWorld.com’s forum alias and why did you pick it?

Charlotte: I use my real name – CharlotteAshley. Writing is one of the more socially acceptable things I do, so I don’t mind SFFWorld showing up in a Google search – really, I’d prefer it to some of the other things that turn up when you dig deep enough! Ha ha ha please don’t look.

SFFWorld: How did you discover SFFWorld.com and why did you decide to join?

Charlotte: It turned up when I was doing a search for “fantasy story submission calls” back when I first started writing short fiction. I knew absolutely nothing about short story markets then. The forums had some interesting discussions and helpful advice, but what sold me were the monthly short story contests. I’m hyper-competitive and there’s really nothing that will motivate me better than the chance to beat somebody at something. And there’s nothing that sharpens your skill like being beat and having to improve for next time!

SFFWorld: How long have you been a member and what keeps you coming back?

Charlotte: I joined almost exactly two years ago. I keep coming back to keep up with what my “forum friends” are doing, but also to find readers for my new stories. SFFWorld users know a good story when they see one. I can sometimes get lost in the minutia of word choices – it’s incredibly helpful to have betas who can tell you if your story is accessible to the reader.

SFFWorld: What’s your favorite book (genre or not)?

Charlotte: Uuuuuh…. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Or maybe Anathem by Neal Stephenson. Or Dune by Frank Herbert. Or…

SFFWorld: What’s your favorite author (genre or not)?

Charlotte: Alexandre Dumas. Hands down. All of my newer favourite authors acknowledge him as an influence too!

SFFWorld: What’s your favorite genre (science fiction, fantasy, horror, steampunk, etc)?

Charlotte: Alt history. I like “what if” as a central question. Science fiction of a certain kind is excellent too for the same reason.

SFFWorld: Where’s your favorite place to read?

Charlotte: In my nest on the couch. Six pillows, three blankets, something munchie.

SFFWorld: Favorite con (convention)?

Charlotte: I’m not a big con-goer. I used to hit GenCon every year, but the games I played aren’t as big as they used to be. I’m about to hit Toronto’s AdAstra for the first time. I have high hopes!

SFFWorld: What do you do when you are not reading or messing around on SFFWorld.com?

Charlotte: Or writing? 😉 I do a lot of freelance editing and critiquing. I have two daughters and have to train them in the ways of gaming, obviously. I play CCGs, role play, and adore board games. I do a lot (a LOT) of baking. I pick up and drop other hobbies pretty regularly – LARPing, knitting, playing chamber music, doing capoeira, volunteering for local environmental groups, sitting on the board of a few NGOs. I just found out there’s a parkour gym down the street from me – the second I can find the time, I am all over that.

SFFWorld: Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, Charlotte. Anything else you’d like to add?

Charlotte: Oh, probably. Ask me more questions another time! 😉