Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write romance about healing love. My novels have been described by readers as emotionally complex, inspiring, and full of characters you just want to hug one right after the other.
I’ve been creating stories since I was five, and only recently started publishing. I have a few short stories out, a few novellas, and a couple of full novels with plenty more in the works.
My cats are always my alpha readers (rather, listeners!).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Nonverbal. This is a story that forced it’s way out of me late one night. I’ve never seen a first-person romance with a non-speaking neurodiverse heroine, so I wanted to offer a new autistic perspective. Paige (our heroine) is bubbly, compassionate, and fiercely loyal, though she struggles with her living situation and learning to trust love. Brody, out hero, wears his heart on his sleeve and is protective, doing whatever he can so Paige feels safe and loved. And then there’s Amber, Brody’s sister and Paige’s BFF, who is dealing with demons of her own but is part of this new found family.
Writing has the power to open people to new experiences because it’s an intimate look at life through a character’s perspective. The autistic perspective is so misunderstood, so I wrote this story in first-person to give readers a peek into the autistic mind (at least, one version of it). It looks at relationships, acceptance, meltdowns, anxiety, and learning to find self-worth.
Warning: this book will make you cry happy tears (sorry, not sorry).
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Like standing on my head while typing? No 🙂 Writing is my joy and my happy place, so when I get tuned into a story, it will consume every waking hour (and often my dreams). But my habits are simply to write every day as much as I can.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Helen Hoang. Her book The Kiss Quotient inspired me to write more novels with neurodiverse characters.
What are you working on now?
Trying to edit my way through several books I wrote first drafts for and then set aside for various reasons.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Paid newsletter have worked well for me, specifically The Fussy Librarian and BookBub. And doing swaps with other authors through StoryOrigins has helped me find some awesome new subscribers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t obsess over your first book because it won’t be your best. Writing is odd compared to other artistic endeavors. We tend to obsess over that first novel, sometimes taking years to finish it, when it is our FIRST. The first few novels are really practice of everything you’ve learned.
Would you expect a painter to create a masterpiece the first time they paint on a canvas? Then why do we treat writing a novel differently? A painter practices and paints new artwork again and again. As writers, we also need to practice and write new books again and again.
So give yourself some compassion with that first novel. Do your best, practice, but don’t spend years writing it. You never want that first novel to be ALL you ever do.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When you first write a novel, it’s only for you. After you edit it and show it to others, it’s only for them.
What are you reading now?
Verity by Colleen Hoover
What’s next for you as a writer?
To write more books! Always.
Author Websites and Profiles
Raina Ash Website
Raina Ash Amazon Profile
Raina Ash’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile