Meet Ashley Bustamante

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Bustamante. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Ashley, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I would say overcoming imposter syndrome is not a “one and done” type of scenario. Chances are it’s something an individual will face on and off again throughout their career. One of the most effective tools I’ve found is to recognize that everyone is running their own race and success isn’t going to look the same for any two people. Comparison is the quickest way to fall down the imposter syndrome hole, so it’s best not to compare. Easier said than done! But when I look at how far I personally have come, it’s easier to feel pride in my accomplishments and feel more secure in my profession.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a traditionally published author of YA Fantasy books. I’m passionate about writing stories that people of all ages can enjoy together, because some of my favorite memories are of reading books together as a family. Additionally, my stories often incorporate messages of hope and overcoming challenges, as I feel these themes are critically important in today’s world. So far, I have published a trilogy and a fourth novel is contracted and on the way.

For me, one of the most exciting things about being an author is the creative energy and the potential to make a world that others can get lost in. The sky really is the limit in terms of what I can put in a book, and it’s fun to go on that journey. I love to write stories I can be excited about, and it’s a wonderful feeling when you have readers who are just as excited. I love connecting with readers and learning more about them. As someone who often felt invisible, excluded, or unheard when I was growing up, it’s really important for me to create an environment where my readers feel seen. I never want anyone to feel unimportant or unnoticed.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I think one of the most important qualities for a writer is to learn how to consider and implement feedback. Writers will hear many opinions about their work. Some can be ignored, but for the most part, it’s important to take all feedback into consideration and use it to improve your craft. The writers I see struggling the most are the ones who are defensive about their work rather than acknowledging that something could be better.

Another important skill is time management. Most writers do not have the luxury of only writing. Many have jobs in addition to writing as well as busy family lives. For me, writing comes in stolen moments and if I don’t make a dedicated effort to do it, it won’t happen. I have to set goals for myself and make the effort to stick to them, even if that means sitting down to write instead of chilling in front of the TV at the end of a long day.

Third, learn to develop your own voice rather than trying to imitate someone else. It’s ok to draw inspiration from someone you admire, but if you try to imitate them entirely, it will come across as ingenuine and remove the joy from the process.

For those just starting out, I would recommend attending writing conferences. This is a fantastic way to network and develop your craft. I feel like the timeline to achieving my writing goals really accelerated once I started attending conferences.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

I’ve been blessed with parents who have been incredibly supportive of my writing journey, and this has made such a huge difference. I know not everyone is that fortunate. I started making picture books from a young age. They were just squiggly drawings on scrap paper, riddled with misspellings. But my parents always read them and encouraged me to do more. They didn’t discourage me when I said I wanted to take creative writing classes. It took several years to secure a publishing contract for my first novel, but they never told me it was time to move on or made me feel like I was pursuing something frivolous. They have been my biggest cheerleaders, and that has made it easier to keep getting up again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashleybustamante.com
• Instagram: @authorashleybustamante

Image Credits

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