Ashley McLean Balances Farm Life, Family, and a Flourishing Writing Career
For Ashley McLean, creativity isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life. Living on a farm south of Plenty, Ashley lives with her husband, their three young boys, and their golden retriever. “I’m currently wrapping up my third maternity leave after having our youngest,” she shares. “Outside of maternity leave, I work full-time in the Lab and X-ray department at the Kerrobert Hospital. In my spare time, I love to create, whether it’s through hobby photography or crafting personalized wooden signs. For me, writing was just another creative project to try that I ended up truly enjoying.”
Although writing has become a newfound passion, it wasn’t always part of her long-term plan. “I wouldn’t say I always dreamed of being a writer, at least not officially,” Ashley admits. Still, the seeds were planted early. “One of my first jobs in high school was actually as a newspaper correspondent for my small hometown of Turtleford. I wrote for the St. Walburg Gazette and the North Battleford News-Optimist, covering local events. It only lasted about a year, but it was such a fun experience and definitely intrigued me, although I will admit starting a career in health care just seemed more stable.”
Looking back, Ashley realizes that her love for storytelling was there all along. “Later on in high school, I found myself enjoying creative writing assignments. While most people aimed for the minimum page count, I always went far beyond, I could never seem to wrap up a story in just two to four pages.”
When Ashley decided to embark on her latest writing project, she kept it quiet. “I actually didn’t tell many people. I wasn’t sure I’d finish it, and I wanted to keep it to myself until I did. That’s why it came as such a surprise to most when I finally shared it.”
Rather than navigating the lengthy traditional publishing route, Ashley opted for self-publication. “I chose self-publication for a few reasons,” she explains. “Most traditional publishers won’t consider your work without a literary agent, and while I’ve submitted to a few through their official submission process, I haven’t heard back yet—it doesn’t mean I won’t eventually, but it’s a slow process.”
Self-publishing through Kindle Direct Publishing proved to be the perfect fit. “I looked into printing a small batch of copies, but most options required large minimum orders, anywhere from 100 to 300 books, which I wasn’t ready to commit to,” she says. “That’s when I discovered Kindle Direct Publishing through Amazon. It allows for print-on-demand, so people can order a copy as needed, and I can also order author copies in any quantity, even just one.”
Readers can purchase the book on Amazon just by searching Shadows Between Us by Ashley McLean. Ashley is also slowly distributing some books around to some local places and hoping to donate copies to local libraries once her next shipment is in!
Of course, self-publishing comes with its own set of challenges. “The biggest challenge was all the formatting and editing was up to me. While you can hire people for that part, I chose to do it myself, and honestly, I’m proud of that. It felt like an extra accomplishment to figure it all out on my own.”
When it comes to honing her craft, Ashley’s approach has been hands-on. “I haven’t taken any formal writing courses, this is actually my first attempt at writing a book,” she says. “Most of what I pulled from came from my high school English classes, where I felt I did really well. I also did a fair bit of Googling, things like how to structure a plot or what makes a good book, and used tools like the plot diagram to guide me. I also kept tons of handwritten notes of things I wanted to add or wrote down other key notes to keep track of things I needed to flow throughout the book.”
In addition to being a self learner, her love of reading has helped shape her natural writer instincts. “I’ve always loved reading. I don’t get to read as much now with young kids, but it’s still something I really enjoy when I can find the time. I think years of reading helped me naturally develop a sense for how sentences should flow and how a story should unfold.”
When asked about her favorite genres, Ashley doesn’t hesitate. “My favorite genre is definitely fiction, mainstream and commercial, if I had to label it. I truly enjoy a bit of everything. It could be a lighthearted romantic comedy or a gripping thriller with suspense. I used to enjoy true crime as well, but since having kids, I find it harder to read about things that really happened, my heart just can’t take it anymore.”
Instead, she gravitates toward fictional dramas and thrillers. “I like stories that pull me in and let me escape at the end of the day, something engaging and entertaining that gives my mind a break.”
Looking ahead, Ashley has no plans to slow down. “I’ve found that I truly love doing this. The whole writing process has been such a fun and rewarding experience, and I really hope I can continue carving out time for it,” she says. “Right now, I’m working on another novel, which has a very different storyline from my first. It’s been exciting to push myself a little more, especially when it comes to character development and plot.”
As for her timeline, she’s aiming to finish by summer, but knows life with three young boys and a busy farm schedule may extend that goal. And that’s not all she’s working on: a new project has also taken root.
“Recently, I started working on a children’s book, something I hadn’t considered before,” she shares. “The idea came when my nephew told me his mom was reading my book, and he asked if I could write one that he could read. That moment gave me the idea, and I decided to write and illustrate a story that both he and my own kids could enjoy. It’s such a special feeling to think that one day they might say, ‘Mommy made that!’”
Ashley hopes to have the children’s book ready within the next month. With her creativity fueling every project she takes on, one thing is clear: this local writer is just getting started!
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