Ashen Sky Life

Welcome back to our insanely neglected blog. We’ve decided to write a post today - linking up to A Novel Idea - to introduce to you some of our favorite characters, Jackson West & Charly Mellaney. It’s hard to remember when exactly we came up with them, but they’re two of the characters we come back to again and again so that we can keep developing them. To keep developing them even further, we decided to participate in this week’s A Novel Idea and write 10 facts each about Jackson and Charly.

Jackson West

1. Full name is Jackson Matthew West. Matthew was his dad’s middle name. Until he meets Charly, he doesn’t have a nickname, but when he meets her, she starts calling him Jacks.

2. His passion is music. He started playing guitar at the age of 15, and music became his refuge and his dream.

3. When he was 21, he got his semi-big break as a guitarist for Charly’s brother, Carter.

4. He has a bad boy reputation and is often featured in tabloids.

5. As part of his job, he goes on tour with Carter’s band, which means he’s been to 43 states.

6. He grew up in foster care until he aged out of the system at age 18.

7. His family consists of one sister, Emma, and a nephew, Benji.

8. He was a 10 pound baby, and he was born on September 19th at 3:43 AM.

9. His favorite ice cream flavor is either Cookies ‘n’ Cream or Rocky Road.

10. He doesn’t read often, but his favorite book is Into the Wild.

Charly Mellaney

1. Full name is Charlotte Elizabeth Mellaney, but alwaysalwaysalways goes by Charly. The only time she ever gets called Charlotte is when she’s in trouble. Jackson takes to calling her Char after they meet. (She thinks it’s ‘cause he’s too lazy to say Charly).

2. Was abandoned by her mother when she was a few weeks old, and put into foster care. For the first 10 years of her life, she was tossed around from home to home until she was placed in the Mellaneys’ home. She was adopted less than 6 months later. Charly never wanted to be anyone but a Mellaney - they showed her what real love was. That it existed.

3. Has 3 older brothers: Carter, Spencer, and Drew. Although she’s closest to Spencer, her big brothers are all overprotective and only want the best for her.

4. Has been working at her dad’s restaurant since she was 11. She’s been a waitress, a cook, a manager. Anything and everything they might need.

5. Loves to travel, and would do anything to see the world, so when her parents tell her she has to figure out what she wants to do with her life, she begs her big brother Carter (country music singer) to take her on tour with his band. Just like any big brother, the guy can’t say no.

6. Favorite food is General Tsos chicken, and she eats it about once a week.

7. She’s 19 years old, her birthday falling on July 4th.

8. Doesn’t take crap off of anyone - least of all guitarists who are vain. When Jackson and Charly first meet, she hates him. He thinks that he’s the hottest thing to hit Hollywood in the last couple of years, and while Charly doesn’t deny the fact that he’s hot, she’s not about to let him know that.

9. Like comedy and action movies the best, probably something she got from growing up with 3 big brothers.

10. Charly would spend her life reading if she could but finds that life gets in the way of doing that. Her favorite book is Anne of Green Gables, and would love to someday find her Gilbert.

Link up with us here!

Sky here! Ashley and I started writing again in July, and since then it's been a whirlwind of words. We are taking a break from One Step Closer because... well... we kind of fell in love with a new set of characters. Their names are Ty Mellaney and Poppy Spencer. Shortly after creating them, we decided we had to write their story ASAP. So we began their story on August 24th, and as of yesterday, one week later, we've written 29,000. (And today, we've hit 31k and are still going...)

How. Is. That. Possible.

It's especially impressive considering we're writing in third person, something we never ever do. But sure enough, the words just keep coming. We're aiming to get to 100,000 words if we have enough plot. Because that would be amazing.

Honestly, Ashley and I are so in love with Ty and Poppy. We did not expect to fall in love with them as much as we have.

Hi all! Ashley here! Sky and I have this thing where we just decide to create characters. They might not even have a story, but we create them and some of them fizzle out into nothingness, and some of them become something amazing.

When we started working with Ty and Poppy, I thought they'd be another fizzle. Instead, as I got to know them, I decided they weren't that but instead, a wonderful set of people that I wish were real so that I could be their friend.

Ty & Poppy have known each other since 3rd grade.

Their story is basically about their friendship with each other, their three-person group with a guy named Dan, and the way they're navigating certain obstacles in their lives, such as Ty going off to war and Poppy taking care of her sick aunt.

This story has taken a hold of my heartstrings and won't let me go. We've planned out our characters' entire lives together (well, almost, anyway) and we have plans to write a whole series. So far, it's going really well, if the first book is any indication.

When this book is done, we have plans of getting a proof copy so we can see it in book form, and we want to edit it and continue to write about these characters for a long time to come. We'll keep you posted on how it goes!

How's your writing going?

Sky here! Ashley and I are back in business, and we're working on rewriting one of our oldest novels, about two best friends named Will and Elle. We just hit 50,000 words on it today, and we love writing about these characters. We decided to answer some Beautiful People questions about them.

Ashley's answers will look like this.
Sky's answers will look like this.

So, without further ado, meet Will and Elle... our heroes for our novel One Step Closer!

Will Farris and Elle Moser have been best friends since they were tiny. Nothing has been able to separate them... until now. As they both go off to different colleges, both Will and Elle realize just how much they need each other, but will it be too late?

1. How long have they known each other, and how close are they?

Will and Elle met when they were 4 years old; Will moved in next door to Elle, and came right up to Elle and introduced himself as “William Dray Farris.” The rest is history. Now 18, they’re closer than most friends and spend all their time together.

2. What’s their earliest memory of being best friends?

After they first met, they swang on the swingset in Elle’s backyard and talked about themselves--favorite color, favorite food, favorite animal. That was the first time they realized they should be best friends.

3. Do they fight? How long do they typically fight for?

Will and Elle banter. They make fun of each other. They are sarcastic toward each other. Very rarely do they ever fight about something that’s not just silly or totally random. They’ve never had a really big fight - not yet, at least.

4. Are their personalities similar or do they compliment each other?

Will and Elle are similar in some ways and different in others. Will is an introvert and Elle is an extrovert. Will loves math and Elle loves writing. Will is the type to wear plain socks, but Elle is the type to wear fun socks. Will loves classic rock and Elle loves country. But they’re also similar--they both share the same sense of humor and the same way of looking at life.

5. Who is the leader of their friendship (if anyone)?

The thing about Will & Elle is...they’d both say they were the leaders. For different reasons. Will is the leader when Elle needs him to kill a spider or bug; Elle is the leader of everything else.

6. Do have any secrets from each other?

If they do, we as the authors have no idea. Will and Elle tell each other pretty much everything.

7. How well do they know each other’s quirks and habits?

If you read the answer to the last question, you can almost just assume that they know each other better than they know themselves. So, we’d have to say that they know each other’s quirks and habits pretty darn well.

8. What kind of things do they like to do together?

Anything and everything. They enjoy watching movies, going to the mall, and mini-golfing--but really, they just like being together. It’s rare to find them not doing SOMETHING together.

9. Describe each character’s fashion style (use pictures if you’d like!) How are their styles different/similar?

Will cares a little more about style than most guys and enjoys wearing polos, plaid, and t-shirts. His style isn’t formal, but he always looks well put-together. His favorite thing to wear is a pair of white pants he got from Aeropostale. Elle hates them, so sometimes he wears them just to spite her.

Elle likes to be in style; usually wears name-brand clothes, but buys them or sale or at thrift shops. Jeans and sweaters are her favorite, but occasionally she feels the need to put on a skirt or a dress. Despite her need to be looking nice, Elle never wears heels - even though she’s only 5 feet tall - because she’s really clumsy and hates falling. She did that at graduation, and it was not glamorous.

10. How would their lives be different without each other?

Will would be a lot more boring and never take any risks, and he also would probably have no friends. He’s such an introvert that it’s hard to break into the shell he has around himself… but Elle did. Elle, on the other hand, wouldn’t have anyone to ground her or listen to all her off-the-wall ideas. She brings Will out of his comfort zone, and Will helps Elle stay rational. Without each other, they’d be lonely, and probably not the same people at all. Their friendship has made them into who they are today.

Thanks for reading!

Sky here! Ashley and I have some new characters, Axl and Cara. I decided to sit down and learn more about my character, Cara Kingsley. She's 26 and is a musician who's been on the music scene for a while (keyboard and background vocals, as well as some guitar). She's been touring since she was 19. At home, she has three brothers who mean everything to her. She loves to make new friends and she's extremely outgoing. On the Myers-Briggs scale, she's probably an ESFP.

So without further ado, let's ask some questions about Cara!

1. What’s their favourite ice cream flavour?

Neopolitan!

2. Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where are they going? What are they wearing? Who will they be with?

She'd be with her band at the time, probably, or any acquaintances she has.

3. Look at your character’s feet. Describe what you see there. Do they wear dress shoes, gym shoes, or none at all? Are they in socks that are ratty and full of holes? What do they consider comfortable and what do they consider agony?

She has about 10 pairs of used Converse, which is the only thing she'll ever wear.

4. Do they have any birthmark or scars? Where are they and how did they get them?

Cara has a scar on her knee from an unfortunate skateboarding incident. She was skateboarding with her brother Corey and his friends, and fell off.

5. What kind of music do they listen to? Does it change depending on their mood or is it always consistent? (Feel free to share samples!)

Cara really loves alternative rock, classic rock, EDM, and pop punk, but she'll listen to anything.

6. Do they have any musical talent? Play an instrument? How’s their singing voice?

Cara can sing and play piano, but she also knows some guitar. (Her older brother Corey taught her.)

7. What kind of book would you catch them reading?

Probably a self-help book. Cara is always searching for the answer to life.

Life is confusing.

8. How would they spend their summers (or their holidays)?

Either visiting her brothers and mom, or sightseeing on the coast.

9. It’s Saturday at noon. What is your character doing? Give details. Ex. If they’re eating breakfast, what’s on the menu? Are they hiking, shopping, lazing around?

Cara lives all over, since she's a touring musician. When she's not on the road, she goes home to live with her mom in Florida. So if she's on tour, she'll probably be checking out whatever city they're in at the time, and preparing to do soundcheck or any interviews. If she's at home, she's probably making lunch for her siblings--peanut butter and jelly.

10. Is there anything your character wants to be free of?

Cara definitely has some ghosts haunting her, particularly the death of her older brother Corey, who meant everything to her.

Thanks for reading! What's your character's favorite ice cream flavor?

Taken from the July 2015 version of Beautiful People.

Hi all! Ashley here! Like Kylie did, I'm going to be doing Beautiful People for my character from the Carlie and Sophie book - Sophie!

Sophie is also 16. She's a little more backward than Carlie. She likes to occasionally be left my herself, and always plays by the rules. Carlie tends to bring the best out in her, though - and maybe the worst, too! Sophie keeps Carlie grounded, and Carlie keeps Sophie crazy. It's the best kind of relationship to have!

So, without further ado, meet Sophie!

1) What does your character regret the most in their life? Sophie's parents and she are not the least bit close. In fact, she lives with her big brother, Reilly. Sophie regrets not moving away from her parents sooner --- letting nannies raise her instead of Reilly.
2) What is your character's happiest memory? Most sorrowful memory?

Sophie can remember a day when her brother read to her before she went to bed each night, kissing her and tucking her in. Seeing as her parents never did this, she will never forget it.

Her most sorrowful is the fact that her parents never once took the time to tell them they loved her or tucked her in bed when she was a child. Sophie wanted nothing but to be told she was loved, and it never came from her parents' lips.
3) What majorly gets on your character’s nerves?

Being told what to do. Especially by her big brother. Sure, she lives with him and knows she has to follow his rules, but some of them are just so stupid. Sophie wants to be independent and not told what to do and not to do, so when someone does it...she hates it.
4) Do they act differently when they're around people as opposed to being alone? If so, how?

She acts differently when she's around Carlie. Other than that, she's pretty much the same around everyone as she is when she's alone. Like I said above, Carlie is the one person in her life that makes Sophie act crazy - and she loves that about her.
5) What are their beliefs and superstitions? (Examples: their religion or lack of one, conspiracy theories, throwing salt, fear of black cats.)

Sophie didn't grow up with any faith in her life, but when she moved in with her big brother, Reilly, he forced her to go to Sunday School and church. Since then, she has accepted Christ and learned to trust in Him.
6) What are their catchphrases, or things they say frequently?

I don't know that she has any "catchphrases" but she is none to say whatever pops into her head - even if it isn't always nice. ;)
7) Would they be more prone to facing fears or running from them?

She would face them head-on. Despite the fact that she's what most would consider kind-of shy and reserved, she would never let fear keep her from doing something - anything.
8) Do they have a good self image?

She tries to, but like any teenage girl, there's always something that makes her feel insecure and not as good as others around her.
9) Do they turn to people when they're upset, or do they isolate themselves?

The only person she would talk to is her big brother, Reilly. She knows he'll understand - especially if it's about their parents. Occasionally, she'll talk to Carlie, she's getting better about that...but it's usually just Reilly.
10) If they were standing next to you would it make you laugh or cry?

I think it would make you laugh. Sure, she's quiet and shy, but....she can also be sarcastic and witty.

Sky here! Today I'm doing Beautiful People for one of my newest characters, Carlie Sherman. She's one of the two main characters in the book Ashley and I are working on now--tentatively titled Carlie & Sophie. It's a story about two best friends who try to matchmake their older siblings. We're working on plotting it out and starting it up, and I'm participating in Beautiful People to help me get to know Carlie.

Carlie is 16 years old and extremely outgoing. She loves to have fun and make people laugh and smile. She's exuberant and bubbly 99% of the time. Her favorite things are summer, ice cream, coffee, and bike rides. She loves drawing and bright, vivid colors. Though her exterior is mildly crazy, she does have her serious moments, and I'm looking forward to deepening her more as time goes on.

1) What does your character regret the most in their life?
At 16, there isn't a lot for her to regret, but she regrets not spending as much time with her dad before he died as she could've. She also feels too crazy at times and regrets her actions due to her insecurities about what people think of her. So it isn't so much one big moment as it is a bunch of little ones.

2) What is your character's happiest memory? Most sorrowful memory?
She remembers a lot of happy memories, but her top two are meeting her friend Sophie and helping her older sister Kassie move in, as well as summers spent along the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ.

3) What majorly gets on your character’s nerves?
When people are too quiet and won't talk to her or tell her what's bugging them.

4) Do they act differently when they're around people as opposed to being alone? If so, how?
Mostly it's that other people make Carlie come alive. When she's alone, that's when she has her mellower moments and her times to think.

5) What are their beliefs and superstitions? (Examples: their religion or lack of one, conspiracy theories, throwing salt, fear of black cats.)
Carlie grew up in a Christian family, and the Bible stories she heard when she was a kid were and still are a major comfort to her. She had her moments of doubt growing up. She didn't really start to believe it until her dad died when she was 12, and the thought of her dad going to heaven made her feel like Christianity was something she wanted to be a part of. Now it brings her comfort when times are rough.

6) What are their catchphrases, or things they say frequently?
Her catchphrase is basically whatever crazy idea comes out of her brain next. ;)

7) Would they be more prone to facing fears or running from them?
She'd run from them, definitely. She's not really sure how to handle serious matters at all.

8) Do they have a good self image?
No. She acts very confident, but is actually pretty insecure.

9) Do they turn to people when they're upset, or do they isolate themselves?
She isolates herself from everyone except a select few, such as Sophie and Kassie, and even then sometimes she has a hard time opening up. Most of the time, though, she goes to them for comfort.

10) If they were standing next to you would it make you laugh or cry?
Laugh, definitely. She's so cute and I'd love to meet her and get to know her in real life. ♥ I have a feeling she'd really brighten my whole life up. ;)

Check out Beautiful People here:

Sky: Wow, it’s been such a long time since we did one of these--hello again to our readers old and new!

Ash: With life being super busy, and trying to keep up with our own blogs, trying to keep up with Ashen Sky Life has proved difficult. And by difficult, I mean...it’s been nonexistent.

Sky: Haha! But thankfully, we’re back now, with new inspiration for this blog and fresh wind in our sails. We’ve gotten a new URL and a new design, and pretty much… new everything! Including new books.

Ash: We’ve also just updated our bios so that you can catch up on us as well! We hope you check that out! Oh, and we’re slowly working on updating our Current Writing Page, so look at that, too!

Sky: Indeed! In addition, we’ll be using this blog over the next few months to develop our characters by using our own link-ups, Beautiful People and A Novel Idea. We’re looking forward to sharing our characters with you and getting to know them ourselves!

Ash: We’re currently going to be working on a story about two teenage girls that are best friends - named Carlie and Sophie - and their journey trying to get Carlie’s sister and Sophie’s brother together. It’s like a problem waiting for a place to happen, as it’s going to prove more difficult than they would’ve ever thought. Stupid siblings.

Sky: It actually started out as a story about the siblings--Reilly and Kassie--but we’re backing up to write about their younger siblings first. ;) We’ll be writing more about Reilly and Kassie though, as well, so stay tuned for more info about them!

Ash: If you’re writers, you understand how plans can start one way and end up a totally different way. It’s like we, as the writers of said story, have no control over what the characters decide to do. And Reilly and Kassie decided to be stubborn and not want to be written about just yet. So...we’re waiting.

Sky: Somewhat patiently. ;) But at least we get to write about them, in a way. And I’m looking forward to developing Reilly and Kassie--and ALL of our characters--even more in the coming months. It’s going to be so much fun. And you, dear readers, get to be along for the ride!

Ash: So, with that, we welcome you to our revamped version of Ashen Sky Life! We hope you stick around and come back for new posts as we continue to post in the coming days and weeks.

Sky: Yes, welcome back to Ashen Sky Life! It’s great to be back! I can’t wait to write more, and thanks for joining us on our writing journey.

Ash: Ciao, ya’ll!

Sky: Adios!

A Novel Idea: Jackson & Charly

Jackson West

Charly Mellaney

Introducing All This Time

Beautiful People: Will and Elle (#1)