Q&A with Author Aly Styles
When my dear friend and total TBR enabler Julie Collier introduced me to author Aly Styles, I knew I would some day fall down the rabbit hole that is Aly’s backlist. Julie and I love so many of the same authors, read so many of the same romance subgenres, and look for so many of the same tropes and character types in the books we read so I trust her recommendations inplicity. What I had no idea would happen is that I would start that rabbit hole journey by editing one of Aly’s upcoming novels. And I am totally smitten. So while I dive deeper into Shaw’s life and story in Aly’s upcoming novel Undertow, I’m setting you all up with some Q&A about Aly and her books. I find the more I know about an author, the more I want to read their stories. And I can tell y’all right now, once you know more about Aly, you’re going to be invested in her books, too.
How did you get started writing?
I don’t remember not writing. I’ve been writing since I knew how. I still have some of my old spiral-bound notebooks I used before I had a computer. We didn’t have a lot growing up, so I spent most of my time reading and making up my own stories in my head. Nothing has changed, except now I share those stories with other people.
Where do you recommend a new reader/listener start in your backlist?
That’s really hard because I write so many different tropes and genres. Typically, I answer that question with a question of my own: Depends, what do you like to read? Chances are I have one of those and that’s what I’d recommend. If I’m forced to say, Ashton Morgan: Apartment 17B or Rising West are probably the most popular of my recent releases. Camden Walker: Apartment 8C and Limelight are my favorites that I’ve written from an artistic perspective. If you prefer rom-com over angst, then my Smartypants Romance series would be more up your alley (Street Smart, Play Smart, Look Smart, Stage Smart).
Do you have a favorite/most memorable scene/part in novel you've written?
For an emotionally wrenching scene, it would probably be the sparrow scene in Camden Walker. It’s so heartbreaking and yet beautiful at the same time. It’s the perfect illustration of Camden’s character and how he turns pain into beauty, while also capturing his artistic brilliance. For humor, one of my favorite scenes is when Nate teaches Chad a customized stripper routine in Look Smart or when Nash is “kidnapped” and faces off with the totally inept criminals in Play Smart.
Is there a part of your career as an author you thought was going to be difficult but haswound up being really wonderful?
Probably interacting with readers directly. I’m an extreme introvert and struggle with social anxiety, so if you told me I’d have to stand in a huge ballroom with thousands of other people and talk to strangers for six hours straight, I would have laughed and said absolutely not. Instead, signings and hearing directly from readers is one of my favorite things about this journey.
Are there specific themes, tropes, or subgenres you’re more drawn to as an author, reader, or listener?
Reading and writing, the darker the better. I’m known for my heavy, emotional books, so it’s probably not a surprise I’m drawn to those as a reader as well. Typically, I need my heart to hurt to stay engaged with a story, whether reading or writing. I have a rule that if I don’t cry while writing a novel, I need to keep working on it until I do because it means I’m not invested enough. (That doesn’t mean readers will cry, it just means I need to have that connection with my story and characters.)
What is your favorite part about being an author?
See above. I’ve always been a writer, so I don’t associate creating the art as part of the experience of being a professional author. I always did that and always will, whether or not I’m an “author.” The part that stands out about the professional aspect is the interaction with readers and others in the community that comes as a result of sharing my words. That’s what makes the pain of the journey worth it.
What do you like to read/listen to? Any favorite authors you want to send a shout-out to?
I’ll read almost anything as long as it’s angsty and emotional. I especially enjoy authors who take a risk and present something “different” that I haven’t seen before, either in terms of genre/trope or a twist on common themes. One series that comes to mind is Lily Mayne’s Monstrous Series.
Is there someone(s) who’s been influential in your life as it relates to your career?
There are sooo many people. My career wouldn’t exist without others, so this is almost impossible to answer, but my ride-or-die is Hazel James. She’s the other half of my brain in terms of life and my author experience. Beth Flynn is also literally the reason I’m here, so I have to mention her as well.
How have your life experiences influenced your career as an author?
My experiences are integral to my journey, both in terms of the content of my books as well as the journey itself. I’m always incorporating my own experiences into my books, even if they’re altered or disguised to fit the story. I love to include my experiences as a musician in my rocker books, or my experiences in the corporate world in my workplace rom-coms, or my struggle with mental health in everything…etc. My entire journey as an author developed organically from my life experiences as well.
This or That: 7 random questions that may or may not be book related:
Kindle or Paperback - KINDLE
Beach or Mountain Vacation - BEACH
Dogs or Cats - CATS
Ice Cream or Cake - ICE CREAM CAKE
Action Flick or Rom-Com - ACTION
Tea or Coffee - TEA
Road Trip or Air Travel - ROAD TRIP
Connect with Aly:
You can find more information about Aly, her books, her music, and how to connect with her on social media here: https://linktr.ee/alystiles
