When I lived in York I had this tendency to pack my camera and just go wandering (Blame my history back ground and studying archeology while i lived there). That is how I came across Holy Trinity Church, tucked away from view behind shops on Goodramgate. Before I get into how it shaped an important … Continue reading Places that inspired The Catherine Siddall Series: Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York
Who else feels like they are now living out the beginnings of an apocalyptic novel? It’s just surreal.I’m attempting to manage working from home and taking care of myself, while not going insane. My focus has been primarily on my craft projects (to be discussed further in another post series) and to be honest, writing … Continue reading Where does one even start? Today’s world and the conflicted writer.
I think we've all been there. We've all been so busy that our writing falls to the wayside, and slips further and further down the list of things to do. Work gets in the way, School gets in the way, Family gets in the way, illness gets in the way. That's just how life works. … Continue reading Cramming it all in: Writing while having full time obligations
*contains spoilers. The creator of the game. Demonic bastard. King of Hell wannabe. I knew when I first started to dream up the beginnings of the story, Catherine needed a foe who was determined, whose motivations went much further than anyone could realize. I knew from the start he had to be a demon, and … Continue reading Behind the Characters: Lett (Alexander Taggart)
*May contain slight spoilers *contains frank discussion of mental health and self-harm type behaviors I was asked once why I allowed my characters to have weak moments, particularly Catherine and her ongoing struggles with anxiety. Answer- Because that's real life. People struggle. People have mental health issues and they often have relapses. I wanted her … Continue reading Mental Illness, Trauma, and Writing as therapy.
Connelly is one of my favorite characters to write. He's also the one I'm most likely to be found swearing at as he takes off in an absolutely unplanned direction. Hell, he was only supposed to appear once, in Unexpected Returns, as a plot device. This one appearance was supposed to help get the idea … Continue reading Behind the characters: Father Michael Connelly
Everyone knows how hard it can be to balance outside obligations (a job, kids, your health, life in general) and any hobby or side job. Writing is no exception. I struggle with depression, anxiety, and chronic illnesses, so there are definitely times when writing falls to the side. Here are some things I've done to … Continue reading Writing productivity
Each month I post an image of my goal list to Instagram, as a way to hold myself accountable. Here's what February had planned- And here is the month wrap up- 40k words? Check! (Stay tuned for a post on productivity coming later this week) 2 newsletters? Check! I also came back to this platform … Continue reading February goals- wrap up
The conclusion of the Instagram challenge, and the final set of images. I had a great time doing this challenge and will be partaking in #Igwritersnov as well! Day 21- title envy- Kim Harrison has the best titles. The Hallows Series is definitely one of my faves and an inspiration. Day 22- Your WIP Cover … Continue reading #Igwritersoct days 21-31
Although most now associate crossroads and the demons attached to them with the TV show Supernatural, there's actually some actual history behind the legends. I chose to incorporate the stories into the Catherine Siddall series for a few reasons, as I'll explain. In mythology and folklore, a crossroads, where two paths meet, can be a … Continue reading Phenomenon behind the series: Crossroads
Day 11- your books I’m kind of bummed I don’t have my copy of book three yet, which is out next week, but here’s the first two in the series. A massive supernatural mystery, dem Day 12- books that inspire you... Um, Everything I’ve ever read? I narrowed it down to the first books in … Continue reading #Igwritersoct days 11-20
Anyone who knows me, knows I'm an Instagram addict. So when I came across a photo challenge for writers this month, there was no question that I needed to do it. Day One: So far, I've achieved a few of these. Re-edits are done. Plans are being made to celebrate book three. One newsletter just … Continue reading #Igwritersoct 31 day photo challenge: the first ten days
There's been an obvious lack of posts here. There are a couple reasons for this. 1- I moved 4000 miles and it hasn't been that easy of a time settling back in. 2- Chronic pain has been an issue. 3- depression. Depression is a monster that takes what is the most enjoyable things in your … Continue reading Where I’ve been aka Writing when Depression is kicking your *ss…
One of the major things that pushed me to write the Catherine Siddall series was the types of female characters I was seeing in books and on screen. To me, they were all missing something. Or a lot of somethings. 1- "what are you wearing?!" I've talked about the importance of wardrobe before. Why is … Continue reading Female Characters- tropes, stereotypes, annoyances and more
After several years of being published, and several years of having this blog (although I have severely neglected it) I figure it’s time to finally introduce myself. Although my pen name is A.M. Sanders, you find people calling me Ash. I was born and raised in the Midwest, and have been obsessed with the weird, … Continue reading About the author
The third main character in the Catherine Siddall series is Mitchell. Brooding, mysterious and a bit of a pain in the ass. When I created him, I wanted a male character that would go from instinctively wanting to protect Catherine, to realizing she knows what she is doing and can handle herself pretty damn well. … Continue reading Behind the Characters: Mitchell Conall
I did a mini post about this on Instagram, but I thought I would do one here as well. Something I've noticed happens a lot in books is a complete disregard for what is appropriate for what the character is doing, in terms of wardrobe. All too often, a character is described as being involved … Continue reading Wardrobe matters, even in books.
One of my biggest pet peeves, when I'm reading, is when the lead character is perfect. Flawless. Never fails. I knew from the start that I wanted my characters to reflect how every single person has flaws and even heroes fail. Maybe I'm too mean to her, but this is especially true for Catherine. I … Continue reading Behind the characters: Catherine
The Writers Corner 