Carol Ashley is a retired teacher who enjoys traveling, painting, and writing short stories and light verse.  She relishes saying some of her funny poems to people she meets. She states, “It makes them happy.”  Of course, she loves spending time with her grandchildren. 

     A friend of mine was promoting her book on Facebook, and I reached out to get to know Carol. I had known her husband when we were both students at Copiah-Lincoln. I found out that she is a person easy to meet and like. She tells us of her writing journey.

     “I started writing when I was young. I taught my students the keys to improve their writing skills. By doing this, my writing abilities also improved. 

     “I considered myself a writer, I think, before I could write. My grandmother was a wonderful storyteller. I learned how to build a story from her. She was ‘natural.’  I got into writing poems because my dad was a poet. 

     “I have lived in every location I have written about. That is why I know how people in a particular area look, talk, and act.  I write about characters that seem real.  Of course, there are many differences from person to person, but there is basic ‘atmosphere’ of the area. 

     “I was a member of a writer’s group that met at the St. Charles, LA Library. I lived at Luling, LA at the time. They critiqued my writings. Even when I moved back to Mississippi, I sent them my writing for their critique. They were instrumental in encouraging me to publish my first novel, Shattered Jade.” 

      My advice for inexperienced writers: “Know the place and the people you are writing about.  Know how they lived.  In one of my books, I told how the people that picked peas at my friend’s farm, held their peas in a large T shirt with their teeth to make a ‘bag’ to put in as they picked with both hands, then dumped the peas in a bushel basket at the end of the row.”

     “Now I am in the process of placing both Shattered Jade and the book of poems I just published, Growing Old Disgracefully & Other Poems on Amazon.  I am starting work on a book of short stories, children’s books and a book of my grandmother’s favorite stories from the past.”

Who designed your covers?  

      “I have a friend at church, Kent Mummert, who is a graphic designer. He is an adjunct instructor at Mississippi College and Belhaven University.  He did a wonderful job in designing the cover for both of my recent books as well as the book layout.   His covers are an introduction to the book.  The woman on Shattered Jade has the look of totally being terrified.  You know the book isn’t a cozy mystery.” 

I questioned Carol to see if she had advice for other writers.

     She advised, “Don’t every give up on your project.  Try to attend as many writing workshops as you can and enter writings for competition and judging. Become a member of local writing groups that can help improve your writing skills based on their feedback.”

What are your hobbies?

     I like to paint and write when I have time along with storytelling to my grandkids–following in the footsteps of my grandmother. I enjoy making people laugh. I call myself an attack poet!  

     “When I see someone I don’t know who looks sad or lonely, I will ask if they will let me try to make them laugh. I have met many short-term friends this way. I break the ice sometimes, and we start a conversation. Sometimes, they go on with a smile on their face, but I have enjoyed their company and they have enjoyed mine.”

Carol’s husband in his work for the Corps of Engineers has been deployed several times. She wrote a poem about eliciting the help of her children in keeping him at home where he belongs. She recited this to me when I was telling her about my latest project. She definitely left me smiling with this humorous poem. I hope we can become long-term friends.