If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?
If I had to stop using one word that I say often, it would be maybe. It’s a word I feel I use too often for excuses instead of saying a definite yes or no. It’s a word that feels safe to use to avoid hurting feelings or making a quick decision, which is something I feel I need to stop doing.
– A.B.
What does your ideal home look like?
Like most of us do, I’ve had a dream home in mind since I was very young. Over the years the idea of it has changed from a princess castle, to a mansion on a lake, to a townhouse in Paris, but nowadays all I truly want is something simple and cozy.
I don’t know what my ideal home would look like, since I love old farmhouses and small brick homes all the same. But I do know it would sit upon acres of land with gardens and animals thriving on it. There would be a wide, welcoming front porch complete with rocking chairs and wind chimes.
Every room in the house would have a theme and be decorated to match it and would always be clean and ready for unexpected visitors. The kitchen would have black-and-white checkered floors and a window above the big sink. There would be plenty of room to raise children and have family over.
It would be comfortable and inviting; a small slice of paradise within the dark world we live in. A place where happiness can blossom.
– A.B.
What’s your favorite time of day?
I’ve always been a night owl, so evening and night time are superior in my book. I’ve often been called a moonchild, which is probably very fitting. I enjoy the gentle light of the moon over the intense rays of the sun. I like how the world seems to slow down as the sun sets lower in the sky.
I feel more creative and energized at night as well; as if I were meant to sleep during the day and be awake at night. Chilly evenings and stargazing are just a couple of things I love about nighttime.
Overall, I find the world to be more peaceful at night than during the day. But I also appreciate that sometimes the dark of night can be mysterious and sometimes spooky depending on the circumstance, which my Halloween-loving self also enjoys.
– A.B.
What are your top ten favorite movies?
1. Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
This stop motion animated film has been a favorite of mine since I was ten-years-old. It’s spooky, heartfelt, and the colors and setting really set it apart from any other film of its time. The music is incredible as well!
2. The Phantom of The Opera (2004)
The time period and setting in France, the beautiful colors and music, and the talent of Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum in their various roles all make this film amazing to me.
3. Sweet Home Alabama
It could be considered a rom-com or an early 2000s classic, but either way I love this movie. The southern American setting, the long-term love story, the twists and turns, it’s a comfort film for me.
4. Scream
The original Scream movie is one of the best horror films made in the past thirty years. Such a great cast of actors, an unexpected plot twist, and it’s one of the rare horror films I enjoy that doesn’t involve a paranormal element.
5. The Lost Boys
A 1980s classic with elements of both horror and comedy, this one holds a special place in my heart. It has all the feel of a great 80s movie with a supernatural twist.
6. The Breakfast Club
Going along with the classic 80s theme, this film meant so much to me as a teenager and still does today. It gives a voice to the misunderstood younger generation and has themes and parts that I think people of all ages can relate to.
7. 10 Things I Hate About You
Another comfort film of mine, this movie retells a classic Shakespeare story but in a 1990s setting. The late Heath Ledger really shined in the role he played, and the movie as a hole is like a nice dose of 90s nostalgia.
8. Crimson Peak
This movie checks off almost every requirement box for a good film to me. The cinematography and plot are entrancing, the classic horror themes seen in 19th-century literature are something I love, and the three main actors, including Tom Hiddleston who is a favorite of mine, go above and beyond in their performance.
9. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Though it’s not the type of film I expected to enjoy, this classic enthralled me from the age of fourteen. It’s such a strange, almost psychedelic film, but I can understand why it’s a cult classic. Tim Curry and Richard O’Brien’s performances alone make it great to watch.
10. Disney’s Hercules
This movie was my favorite as a young child. Despite the inaccuracy of Ancient Greek and Roman mythology portrayed in the film, the animation and music make it enjoyable nonetheless. And the talent of the voice actors really make this film memorable and great!
What do you enjoy most about writing?
The thing I most enjoy about writing is definitely the freedom in it. The ability to delve into the most creative parts of my mind and create new worlds, characters, and so many things that are unique to me. It is a healthy way to escape reality for a brief period in time, much like reading.
I also really enjoy the fact that writing is an inexpensive yet mind-nurturing hobbies. For only a few dollars you can purchase some paper and a pen and escape into creativity; laptops, phones, or other technological ways of writing aren’t even necessary.
For me, being able to write to express inner emotions or to make new worlds to be immersed in is something that has helped me get through this life so far. Writing is one of life’s most simple yet meaningful things.
– A.B.
If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?
If I had the funds, I would love to open up a coffee shop that also features a bookstore and record store within. It would operate on third-shift hours to accommodate individuals that work during that time and can’t get a coffee because all the shops are closed, and for people out there who are insomniacs like myself.
All books in the book store portion would be all second-hand but in good condition for low prices, and the same with vinyl records. It would be a store of just a few of my hobbies that would also help the community in a small way. Perhaps I’d call it something like “Graveyard Shift” or “Midnight Coffee.”
– A.B.
What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world?
More than anything, I want to be a light unto people through both my words and actions. I used to be a very pessimistic thinker, especially in my teen years, but once I changed my mindset to optimism I noticed how much joy can be created simply by thinking positively.
I share a little bit of everything on my blog from grief, to history, to happy moments. But what I truly enjoy is spreading positivity. If encouraging people to look within themselves and find the good to make positive changes can make a difference in just one person’s life, I’d say it’s worth it.
Your mindset determines your future. Instead of being angry about being stuck in traffic, consider that the delay could’ve saved your life. Rather than complaining about the sticky heat of summertime, enjoy looking at the insects and wildlife that thrive during the warm weather.
I hope my blog can inspire others to be true to themselves and to find the joy in everything. Being happy where you are, no matter the circumstances, is something I pray everyone can learn.
– A.B.
– A.B.
Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.
Somewhat recently, a family friend that I consider to be an extra sister of mine needed someone to watch her two-year-old so she could go to work, and her usual help was unavailable due to a family emergency. She called me after reaching out to as many people as she could. I didn’t have anything planned the Friday that she needed me, so I agreed to come to her house to watch her little boy.
I was definitely hesitant at first, since she lives about an hour from me and I have terrible driving anxiety (I’m a writer who barely leaves the house, is anyone surprised?). But I showed up and watched him for most of that day.
Part of me had worried that he was going to be a handful or that he wouldn’t be comfortable staying with me while his mom left since he never had before, but he was an angel the whole day and even took a long nap. I realized at the end of the day that I had been anxious over nothing, and I felt good in knowing I was helping a single mom in need while also enjoying time with my ‘nephew’.
– A.B.
What’s the story behind your nickname?
I’ve acquired quite a few nicknames in the twenty-three years I’ve been on this earth. My stepdad started calling me Glowworm when I was a teen and dyed my hair neon yellow. And long before that my mom gave me the nickname of Sweet Pea, which is one of the flowers that represent the month I was born.
Almost everyone I’m close to simply calls me Ash, a shortened version of my name. My maiden name even earned me the nickname of Fred or Freddie on several occasions. There are many more I could add to the list, but these are just a few that stick out to me.
I think the idea of nicknames is actually pretty neat. A nickname is bestowed onto someone from their friends or family, which in turn makes it a term of endearment in a way. It’s a name formed out of love and connection within a group.
– A.B.
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