Ask the Author: Ashley Franz Holzmann
Answered Questions (6)
Ashley Franz Holzmann
I take a break from creating things and fill back up on input. I've been reading more classic literature lately, finding more music, and enjoying the variety of children's books out there in an effort to keep my kids well-rounded.
Sometimes, the best thing to do is unplug.
I go in waves on social media. There's always something else to do with a creator's platform. So I went relatively dark on social media while rebuilding my website. Then I had to double down on my projects, so I didn't hang around social media as much during that time.
Now I'm finishing a few projects that I've spent years on, so I'm finding myself more time throughout my evenings to be more engaging.
To get back to the question: if you can't create output, consider the input you have. Are you consuming mass-media and hoping to pump out something original? You may find that difficult. Go for more obscure media and you may find yourself becoming more creative.
Or go back to the roots of something.
I recently traveled to Italy with my wife and I had such an awesome experience with the art of the old masters that I started drawing again. Am I creating works of perfection? Nah. But I'm inspired and I'm using that inspiration to find my own personal fulfillment through the things that I create.
And I believe that's the true nature of artists.
Sometimes, the best thing to do is unplug.
I go in waves on social media. There's always something else to do with a creator's platform. So I went relatively dark on social media while rebuilding my website. Then I had to double down on my projects, so I didn't hang around social media as much during that time.
Now I'm finishing a few projects that I've spent years on, so I'm finding myself more time throughout my evenings to be more engaging.
To get back to the question: if you can't create output, consider the input you have. Are you consuming mass-media and hoping to pump out something original? You may find that difficult. Go for more obscure media and you may find yourself becoming more creative.
Or go back to the roots of something.
I recently traveled to Italy with my wife and I had such an awesome experience with the art of the old masters that I started drawing again. Am I creating works of perfection? Nah. But I'm inspired and I'm using that inspiration to find my own personal fulfillment through the things that I create.
And I believe that's the true nature of artists.
Ashley Franz Holzmann
Talking to readers and the process of creating.
One of my favorite emotions is whatever that gooey feeling is I get in the base of my soul where I'm holding a completed project in my hand and I know it's done.
It feels like a strange mix of fulfillment for my insane ego and the relief that my mind can forget all of the balls I was juggling throughout the creation of that project.
Of course, then the marketing is just getting started and I'm never truly free from a project.
One of my favorite emotions is whatever that gooey feeling is I get in the base of my soul where I'm holding a completed project in my hand and I know it's done.
It feels like a strange mix of fulfillment for my insane ego and the relief that my mind can forget all of the balls I was juggling throughout the creation of that project.
Of course, then the marketing is just getting started and I'm never truly free from a project.
Ashley Franz Holzmann
Get yourself out there. Network. Find a platform online that you can get behind. For me, it was Nosleep on Reddit and it's a total rabbit hole.
Find your confidence. Then just commit to it and never stop. Becoming a famous writer doesn't happen over night.
I've seen several authors put out a single book with zero marketing and they wonder why they aren't famous, or they're at the very least disappointed in the experience.
The best thing an author could do is start getting to work on the second project. Learn about marketing. Read. Get constant input and shape your output.
I realize I'm totally rambling, but there are no paths toward success. There are simply paths. Find yours. Do things your way. Keep moving forward.
Find your confidence. Then just commit to it and never stop. Becoming a famous writer doesn't happen over night.
I've seen several authors put out a single book with zero marketing and they wonder why they aren't famous, or they're at the very least disappointed in the experience.
The best thing an author could do is start getting to work on the second project. Learn about marketing. Read. Get constant input and shape your output.
I realize I'm totally rambling, but there are no paths toward success. There are simply paths. Find yours. Do things your way. Keep moving forward.
Ashley Franz Holzmann
After Vices and Virtues releases I'm working on another -30- Press Quarterly and prepare it for release. After that, it's time to double down on my next group anthology: All In Good Time.
Once that releases, I have a poetry book and a children's book that are both non-horror.
I'm also the project lead on a really cool project that will include some of my art paired with some YA-oriented short stories from some awesome authors.
Once that releases, I have a poetry book and a children's book that are both non-horror.
I'm also the project lead on a really cool project that will include some of my art paired with some YA-oriented short stories from some awesome authors.
Ashley Franz Holzmann
I force myself to open my laptop. Then I find a good song and put it on repeat. I'll listen to the same song for days. Sometimes weeks if it keeps me going.
Ashley Franz Holzmann
A few authors and I wanted to work together on an anthology. We had the idea to do something that was thematically tied together and we ended up with Vices and Virtues.
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