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When did you first begin writing?

My love for stories, presented in pictures as well as the written word, goes all the way back to my early childhood. I was known to be a bit of a bookworm and quiet daydreamer, always indulging in reading or crafting fantastic adventures of my own.

Although I ended up on the editorial team of our school newspaper and was often complimented on my academic writing throughout school, it wasn’t until my early twenties when I first met like-minded fantasy and sci-fi fans and I considered sharing my creative side with the world. In between a busy schedule, I worked on gaining skills with illustrations, comic-scripts, drawing maps and even started a novel. In 2018, I came across short stories and anthologies, had my first works accepted that very year and have been writing ever since.

How many stories and books have you published? Which is your favorite?

I fear I’ve lost track of the exact number over time, but I do know my works can be found in more than 50 print anthologies these days.

My favorites are always the fantasy and science fiction pieces, though I have poetry and artwork published as well. As for a book of my own, I’m working on that. 😉

Do you have an all-time favorite character you’ve written?

I have a lot of characters lurking around in my notes that I’m really fond of. Of the ones in print, EVE from the Decent of the Evening Star must be my favorite. She’s an ambitious A.I. with hopes of controlling an entire colony, but the arrival on the new planet turns out very different than anticipated.

Which comes first, the plot or the characters?

This tends to vary for me, depending on wherever inspiration strikes. Sometimes a cool place or plot twist springs to mind, other times it’s a character or personality trait that comes first, and often I implement scenarios, places and people I meet in my vivid dreams.

How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?

My ideal reader would be me. lol

Someone who loves science fiction, fantasy, technology, nature and a bit of romance; epic adventures where good prevails over bad and where things have a deeper meaning.

What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?

I do enjoy both approaches, though overall I tend to plot. I love laying out all the details in my head, then put down notes for every scene before I start writing. Sometimes I just write away for my own fun though.

Describe your writing space. What do you need in your writing space to stay focused?

My home office is designed as a standing workplace. It’s basically a converted bookshelf, with my art supplies on the top shelves and the office supplies on the lower ones.

I often work from my trusty phone when I’m on the go and my computer accompanies me when I write, standing, in the darkness of the night.

What is the best money you’ve ever spent in regards to your writing?

I started out writing on my cell phone, and it’s only been coming up on a year now that my wonderful family gifted me a computer – definitely awesome!

As for my own investments, I’d say ProwritingAid is a great tool, as well as books on the craft Story Physics and Story Engineering by Larry Brooks were among my favorites when I started writing.

What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

Don’t worry too much about your first draft, just get it done. You can’t edit a blank page.

Never stop with your first draft, always revise and edit. Just like with a hunk of chrome, polishing your story is what will make it shine.

How can readers follow you for updates on your upcoming releases?

You can find me as A.S. Charly on Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads, or at Starry Eyed Press working on making other people’s book dreams come true.