In this episode of Read the Damn Book, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with author Ashley Winstead to discuss her new novel, The Future Saints. Their conversation dives into themes of grief, healing, and resilience, tracing how the story shifted from a lighthearted rom-com into a profound exploration of loss and recovery. Ashley opens up about her creative process—crafting layered characters, moving between genres, and weaving in the importance of therapy as part of the narrative. They also explore her research into the music world, the emotional resonance she hopes to leave with readers, and a glimpse into what’s next on her writing horizon.

What We're Talking About...

• Ashley Winstead's writing spans multiple genres, including romantic comedies and thrillers.
• The Future Saints explores themes of grief and recovery in a unique way.
• Ashley had to rewrite The Future Saints after experiencing personal loss.
• Character development is crucial for reader engagement and emotional connection.
• The book balances heavy topics with light-hearted moments.
• Therapy plays a significant role in the characters' journeys.
• Ashley aims to evoke strong emotions in her readers through her writing.
• Research into music and band dynamics informed the story's authenticity.
• Ashley is protective of her messy, complicated characters.
• Future projects include a follow-up to The Future Saints and a new thriller.

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Publication Day

03:12 Exploring Genre Diversity in Writing

07:17 The Journey of 'The Future Saints'

11:07 Crafting Characters and Emotional Depth

16:21 Balancing Heavy Themes with Humor

18:40 The Importance of Therapy in Storytelling

21:42 Character Connections and Reader Emotions

23:38 Researching Music and Band Dynamics

29:40 Future Projects and Reader Engagement

34:32 Introduction to The Future Saints

34:56 Emotional Journey Through the Book

Links Mentioned

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

https://bookshop.org/a/99223/9781668024669

Ashley Winstead’s Website

https://www.ashleywinstead.com/