My writing is typically comedic with horror elements; Mary & the Alien was my first attempt at writing something serious. While it still has comedic moments, the overall tone of the book is quite dark.
Ashley Good – 31 July 2020
The Back Flap
Bullied at school and abused at home, life isn’t easy for nine-year-old Mary Schmidt. On one fateful summer’s night in 1947, Mary’s life is changed forever when she discovers a crashed alien spaceship and its lone surviving passenger.
Set in the small town of Falkland, British Columbia, Mary & the Alien explores an alternative Canadian version of the famed Roswell Incident through the eyes of young Mary and the women in her life.
About the book
What is the book about?
Mary & the Alien tells the story of Mary, a nine-year-old girl in 1947, whose life is upended when she discovers a crashed spaceship. Although it has sci-fi elements, the story is primarily character driven and deals with fairly heavy subject matter (similar to the film, Pan’s Labyrinth).
When did you start writing the book?
April 2020, at the start of the Covid-19 lockdowns. The novel is based on one of my screenplays though, so I wasn’t starting from scratch.
How long did it take you to write it?
The novel took two months, while the screenplay took six.
Where did you get the idea from?
Mary & the Alien is based off of a feature length screenplay that I had written, which took place in New Mexico. Making the novel take place in Canada was my tongue in cheek way of poking fun at how Canadian cities always fill in for American cities in movies. My writing is typically comedic with horror elements; Mary & the Alien was my first attempt at writing something serious. While it still has comedic moments, the overall tone of the book is quite dark.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
It was tricky to research which technology existed in 1947 and if it was readily available to consumers, or if it would have been too expensive. I wanted the story to be as historically accurate as possible.
What came easily?
Writing dialogue is my strong suit. It was fun to write banter between characters with historically accurate slang and insults.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
All of the characters are entirely fictious.
Do you have a target reader?
Older kids and young teens who struggle to fit in or that may be dealing with things at home.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
As this was my first novel, it wouldn’t be fair to say that I have nailed down my process yet. Although for screenplays, I start with an initial concept and build from there. Once I get a story idea in my head, I try to make myself write daily until it is complete.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I outline my entire story in point form, and then grow it from there. I tend to write linearly though, once I get started.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Both.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
It needs to be music that I know very well, or that has no lyrics, otherwise I will start typing what I am listening to. My go to background music is assorted vaporwave/mallsoft playlists.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
As an independent filmmaker, self-publishing felt like a natural fit. I enjoy having complete creative control and also want to ensure that I continue owning the complete rights to all of my projects. Truth be told, I worked in self-publishing years ago, so I have a pretty solid understanding of what to do/what not to do.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I hired an artist, Chorong Kim, to create the art work.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Absolutely. Authors should have a marketing plan in mind before they even finish their book. It doesn’t matter how great your story is – people can’t read what they don’t know about.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Do your research! There is no reason to spend $1000s on self-publishing your book when many of the steps can be done on your own (and often for free). Also, be confident in your writing. As an indie author, you need to be your own biggest cheerleader.
About You
Where did you grow up?
In a tiny town of about 2000 people in British Columbia, Canada.
Where do you live now?
In a much larger city in British Columbia.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I am also a filmmaker, as well as the director of a macabre-themed short film festival, Foggy Isle Film Festival, in Victoria, British Columbia.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my second young adult novel, Just Add Water, which is set in the 1990s.
End of Interview:
For more visit Ashley’s website.
Get your copy of Mary & the Alien from Amazon US or Amazon UK.