Gio Listmaker asked Kristen Ashley:

Most of your characters seem so mature, emotionally. They rally around people they don't know. They take responsibility for their actions for the most part. They apologize and forgive. It is the reason I am addicted to your books. My question is do you have a degree in psychology or did you have good role models? How are most of your stories emotionally mature.

Kristen Ashley First, I'll send you gratitude for saying such lovely things about my books. You can't imagine how nice it felt for me to read your question. Thank you for that.

Second, I don't have a degree in psychology. Though I do have some maturity (shh, don't tell anyone, I try to keep the child within as healthy as possible). I'm not a spring chicken, have luckily (and in some times, there was misfortune) lived a good deal of life with a big family and tons of close friends. Life happens. You live. You learn. You do your best. And if you're a writer, odds are, you pay close attention to actions, reactions and consequences. You file all that away and pull it out when necessary when you're telling your tales.

And further, I did have good role models. Excellent. Beloved. Family, teachers, my parents', grandparents' and the aunt I grew up with's friends. They were good people filled with love and wisdom and they shared both generously. They also let me make my own mistakes and learn from them.

I put a lot in my writing, every book is a personal and emotional journey (where, at least in the books, I get to control the ending and make it happy for the people who deserve it). I cannot tell you how delighted I am that you take these things away from them.

Again, thank you. xx

flag