Rick Starkey: Interview with Kelly Hashway!

Welcome Kelly Hashway!

Hi, Kelly. First tell us a little about you. Things like your hobbies and interest besides writing.

Hi, Rick! Aside from writing, I spend my time playing with my daughter, running, editing for Leap Books and my own list of clients, reading, and traveling. Though I don't travel as much as I'd like to.

R.S. I know you have published a lot of books. Remind us of how many. Feel free to name them If you would like.

K.H. I should really know the number off the top of my head, but I don't! LOL Okay, list it is:

YA Titles:

Touch of Death

Stalked by Death

Face of Death

The Monster Within

The Darkness Within

Into the Fire

Middle Grade Titles:

Curse of the Granville Fortune

Picture Books:

May the Best Dog Win

The Purrfect Puppy

Peppe Maurice Pierre, Poodle Extraordinaire

Melinda's Museum Magic

A Lion's Song

Santa Bunny

Fish Detectives

Cricket's Drive Around Town

I also write romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake.

You are also the acquisitions editor for Leap Books, Seek, so I guess that would be considered your day job along with freelance editing. What was your last day job before becoming an author and editor?

I taught middle school language arts for seven years before my daughter was born and I switched to editing and writing full time. I've always worked in the English field, though. I'm one of those crazy people who loves grammar.

Now that we’ve warmed up, here is my list.

RS. What kind of stories do you like to write? And why?

K.H Paranormal/horror stories come the easiest to me. I grew up reading R.L. Stine and watching horror movies that I really had no business watching at such a young age. I just love the supernatural though. It's so much more exciting than the real world.

R.S. What do you find frustrating about writing?

K.H. The publishing industry is SLOW and I do everything at a fast pace, so it's tough to have patience sometimes.

R.S. Besides the standard stuff like write what you know, write every day, or read a lot, what is the best advice someone has ever given you about writing?

K.H. You can always get better. No matter how long you've been writing, you can always improve and learn more.

R.S. What question would you most like to ask other writers? To ask R. L. Stein?

K.H. LOL You know R.L. Stine is one of my favorites. I'd ask something fun, like what's the one big selling book you wish you'd written yourself. I know I've read books and thought, "I wish I'd thought of that!"

R.S. What question do wish an interviewer would ask you that no one has ever asked. And what is your answer?

K.H. Hmm, I think I'll choose the question I just posed. What book do I wish I'd written? When I read Delirium by Lauren Oliver, I had that, "Why didn't I think of that?" moment. I loved it so much, even though the ending tore me apart inside.

R.S. Most would ask where you see yourself in ten years as a writer. My version of that question is what is your future dream as a writer?

K.H. I'm still dreaming of making a big list like USA Today or the New York Times. Who am I kidding saying OR? If I'm dreaming, I'd like to make both lists.

Thanks for having me, Rick!