If I Let You Go

Ashley Dufault lives in make-believe worlds and survives primarily on dark chocolate and iced green tea. She is the internationally published author of the acclaimed dystopian/post apocalyptic science fiction novel If I Let You Go, and is currently editing a paranormal horror (title TBD). When she's not inventing universes, gardening, or obsessing over her pets, she's helping writers on her blog at ashleydufault.com. She is a native of southern Massachusetts. Sign up to her mailing list for news and giveaways: https: //www.ashleydufault.com/contact Why I write: Stories take on a life of their own. I love writing because it allows me to live uniquely fictional experiences safely from my home. I think my life is better because I'm able to live out so many lives in my work, and better appreciate the wonderful realities of my non-author life. I'm not trapped in one identity. When I sit down at my laptop, I can create any world imagineable. To be able to share those characters, ideas, and settings with readers is a gift. Writing routine: I devote an hour a day to writing and outlining, usually at night. The rest of my time is currently spent listening to chillwave soundtracks while I dive into editing. I talk more about my writing routine here: https: //twitter.com/peneraserlove Process: It sometimes takes years for my ideas to formulate, but they nearly all take root the same way. After the first whisp of inspiration hits, I tweak ideas and environments, creating conflicts and dynamic characters and plot twists. Then when I'm ready, I open up Microsoft Word and tap away until I have an outline. Usually I get so into it that I complete it in one sitting. Inspiration: My stories are typically inspired by vivid dreams, usually dystopian, science fiction, or post apocalyptic in nature. It almost sounds like cheating, doesn't it? Most of my nightmares play out lucidly, allowing me to explore the underground bunker in If I Let You Go, walk with slow-moving zombies, and flee shapeshifters in the woods. Most of my story ideas begin with flashes from dreams like these, that later blossom into something new.