Life is a first impression. You get one shot at it. Make it everlasting.- J.R. Rim
Hey everyone!! Hows it going?? I assume since you clicked my "about" page you're trying to get the inside scoop on my life. So here is a little bit more information about me.
Who am I? My Name is Ashley Gaylor ( I go by Ashley McLean everywhere but school, because ya know biological last names and stuff) *eyeroll*. I was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. I attended Strath Haven High School and graduated in 2014 to move on to pursuing my college degree at West Virginia University. I eventually ended up dropping out because I was presented with the news that I was soon going to be a mother. I now have a four year old daughter named Aubrie who is the cutest pain in my butt to ever live. My hobbies include: watching movies with my daughter and boyfriend, going to the gym, playing board games and cooking. I don't own any pets at the moment but my boyfriend and I are planning to change that in the next few months with a french bulldog named Bandit! I have 3 siblings, Jenna Matthew and Amber. We are all best friends, and I also have some siblings somewhere else in the world I recently learned about but that is a whole different story. My boyfriend's name is Brandon, we live together in Glenolden, PA. We have a very amazing relationship, we say the same things, laugh about the same stupid shit and we always have fun together. I live by one saying, that saying is "Non Desistas Non Exieris" Which means "never give up, never surrender" In Latin. I have been through the ringer in my life, and many times I have wanted to give up, but never did. That's why that saying is actually tattooed on me to remind me everyday I never gave up and never will. HUGE UPDATE!!!!!! I posted this "about me" on Friday Feburary 7th, today is the 8th and my boyfriend surprised me WITH A FRENCH BULLDOG PUPPY!!!!! His name is bandit! If you want to see my emotional reaction, HERE IT IS!
Who is your favorite writer? My favorite writer, as I mentioned in my Proust Questionnaire, is Stephen King, I love everything scary and thrilling. His novels really make you think. My all time favorite novel by Stephen King is Gerald's Game. If you haven't read it and you like thrillers, go NOW! If you are more of a movie watcher you can find it here on Netflix
What types of writing do I do? Types of writing I participate in are keeping a journal, or a diary if you will, to get all those inner thoughts out on paper. I am also a “tweeter” I love Twitter and I enjoy speaking my mind there.
When do I write? I write when it’s convenient, if I had a long day and I am rushing and have a lot to do I won't really write but when I get a moment, I am thinking and stressed, I will sit down and write about it to get my negative mind set on paper and not carry it to the next day. I usually write in my bed, it is my safe place, with a cozy blanket and my window open no matter how cold it is, sounds crazy but it's very relaxing.
Why do I write? Like I said before, writing relaxes me. Especially if I'm arguing with someone, stressed out, had a bad day, or am in a snappy mood, I can write it down and get it off my mind. I have a problem with dwelling on situations so if I have a way to get it out without snapping on people, that is what I have to do.
My past experiences with writing were never good. I had no confidence, no path and no finish line. I didn’t see a future with my writing and I had no hope for it so I can't really say anything in my past shaped my author identity because my author wasn't there. I wrote when I had to for school but I never had the urge to sit down and write until college. College is when I started a journal and writing down my thoughts. It was like a routine to me to sit down every night and write about my day and I think I gained some confidence along that path. I have hope for my author self, she is coming back to me and this class is what is making her come alive. I can be myself, express myself freely with no harsh judgement or belittlement and it is a breath of fresh air. I have more confidence in my writing these past 3 weeks then I ever have, I have hope that I will do better and I know that this class will bring out the writer in me that was always somewhere deep down.
I know I already mentioned my Proust Questionnaire when I was referring to my favorite writer, but just in case you want to get a little more information about the lovely life that is Ashley, You can find the rest of my answers here!