Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashon Ruffins

Hi Ashon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

My story of becoming an author is a bit harrowing. I never thought I would become one. However, there were life hardships that completely tore me down and the road to building myself back up was through journaling. There was a period of time when a series of unfortunate events happened to me and others around me. The events were not connected but it was a period when it seem a lot of friends, acquaintances, and myself were having issues. It opened my eyes to a lot of suffering and hardships that seemed to be dismissed by the world. I’m referring to mental health issues. It has always seemed to be a taboo subject and no one wanted to talk about it. I used journaling to help myself. That writing somehow lit a fire in me when it came to telling stories. I always loved reading and movies, specifically horror. I think it was those influences that pushed me to develop a story. I wanted to write one story about one man who refused to seek help for his mental illness and the consequences for those actions, or lack there of. I knew I wanted it to be a horror story. From that point, what I wanted to do became clear to me. I wanted to be a writer.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Becoming an independent author has not been a smooth road. I didn’t have any experience writing a book of any kind. I don’t know the rules. I didn’t now the everything involved. The editing process, the creative process, the marketing, and the cost of it all were specific roads I had to educate myself on. It was a lot of long nights of research and trial and error frustrations. I’m a firm believer that if you want to be successful at something you need to educate yourself as much as possible on the subject matter. It’s a time consuming process while balancing all of your outside responsibilities. At the end of the day, you have to maintain your creativity, continue learning/marketing, and maintain outside responsibilities. It’s entrepreneurship at its finest.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I’m a horror/thriller author that choose to tell stories that revolve around mental health and morality issues. I try to test the boundaries of what is considered right and wrong. What is consider moral when something puts the human condition in a compromising situation? What choices are made and how are they justified? I think horror is the perfect genre of writing to address those issues and be entertaining in the most fantastic ways. I believe that sets me apart from other writers and I’m proud of that.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?

Growing up I was an outgoing kid. I loved to play sports and video games. I also started to venture into horror movies and books. I’m more introverted now. However, throughout my teen and early adult years it was definitely all about sports and family. Laughing and enjoying each other’s company. That was my joy. It still is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://DreadfultTimesPress.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreadful_times_press
• Facebook: Dreadful Times Press
• Twitter: @lifethrufiction
• Other: TikTok – @lifethrufiction

Image Credits

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