Conversations: Ashton Reely

As promised I sat down (virtually) for my first chat with fellow writer and Arkansan Ashton Reely. We both grew up in Northeast Arkansas and graduated from the same high school. Ashton is one of those friends who makes Facebook statuses worth enduring the typical “takin a shower txt it at your bestie bff love hugs peace” messages. She also writes a blog and does freelance writing work in Searcy, Arkansas. Anyway, what follows is the complete and unedited version of our chat. Enjoy.

Jacob Cooper: Honestly, I've never done anything like this before, unless you count the four years I worked as a sports reporter; however, this seems different than interviewing a coach or a player. I guess it's easier for me when I feel like I'm in complete control of the story or column. I've never really sat down (virtually, I guess) with another writer and tried to work through inspiration or the creative process. However, because I know that you've also worked as a journalist before and you write your own blog, I guess my first question would be how do you classify yourself as a writer? Do you consider yourself a journalist, a creative writer, a blogger, or something completely different?

Ashton Reely: I think being a writer is such a great gift because of its versatility. I am able, on a daily basis, to show my serious side and then turn right around and write a humorous piece that makes others laugh.

Journalism is my passion because I love to meet people and tell their stories. My niche in that field would be "human interest" stories. I would rather have one in-depth interview and write a heart-warming article from it than drive all over the place confirming facts.

Above all other things, I would classify myself as a journalist because I feel like I can have the most impact that way. I love to participate in creative writing and keep up with my blog as well, but those are just avenues of personal expression.

JC: I think it's interesting that you mentioned the "versatility" of writing, and you are absolutely right. The possibilities are seemingly infinite. However, what do you think about websites like Facebook and Twitter? Obviously they are great ways for people to (mis)communicate facts and ideas, but do you think any part of the language is sacrificed because of these sites?

AR: Though I do sometimes cringe at the mistakes and grammar problems that Facebook and Twitter encourage, I almost have to bite my tongue a little bit because it is also a catalyst to get kids going on expressing their feelings through writing. Facebook notes and shared links are easily becoming a way for people who wouldn't normally consider themselves to be "writers" to delve into our world. There was one teenager from my church back home who would write me and say, "Did you read my Facebook post? What did you think?" He wanted to get his thoughts and opinions out there; he just didn't really know how before new technology opened doors.

JC: Because I stumbled into my first job as a journalist, it's only fitting that I ask how you became interested in journalism? Also, are you majoring in journalism or a related field in college? If so, or if not, what do you want to do after you graduate?

AR: From a very early age, I always knew I loved to write and that it somehow had to be a part of my future career. I considered being an English major at first, but soon realized that I would be writing essays and reading classic literature rather than meeting people and talking about what they were doing. After I narrowed down what I wanted to write about, print journalism seemed like a natural fit.

I graduated in May 2009 with a degree in Print Journalism from Harding University. I am now pursuing my MBA in Business. I am working for a Teen Christian magazine here in Searcy and I freelance for some other publications as well. The MBA may seem like a random direction (and it kind of was) but I felt like it would strengthen my future career endeavors and allow me to one day own my own magazine or perhaps be a Communication director for a non-profit organization. Those are the two goals I am shooting for right now.

JC: Since you do both creative writing and journalism, what do you see as the fundamental difference between the two?

AR: I feel like journalism has a method; a template; a style that you have to get down. You are forced to be objective and sometimes cover topics that you don't agree with or aren't necessarily interested in. Creative writing, for me, was an escape from all that. It was a chance for me to momentarily get away from writing about the oil companies in Searcy and cover what I wanted to cover. Creative writing is therapeutic to me in a sense. I guess the fundamental difference, to me, would be control. You don't always have control over what beat you are covering in journalism or what has occurred that needs to be written about; with creative writing, however, you are the author and perfecter of your own world.

JC: Like I am the author and perfecter of this interview? Probably not, eh.

Okay, last round of questions.

Your father, Trey Reely, has published a few books (two, three, four?). How has he impacted you as a writer? Do you ever ask him for tips?

AR: My dad just published his fourth book, I believe it is up to now. He is also delving into the world of children's literature. He wrote a children's book and is working on getting that published as well. He has definitely been a source of encouragement and a good example to follow. I am inspired by the fact that he is always learning new things; he is never complacent and is always pushing himself to try a different style of writing or cover something he has never tried before. It's easy, as a writer, to get stuck in a rut and repeat the same thing over and over; he isn't afraid to make mistakes or get turned down. He keeps plugging!

The opinions of my mother and others mean a lot to me, but in the back of my mind I know that it is kind of their duty to cry and say, "Ashton, sweetheart, that was the best article you have ever written!" My dad is always willing to give me tips and ideas on how to tweak my writing. Because of this, when he raves about an article I have written, I know it truly means something and I am overcome with joy. I welcome his advice, and I hope to write a book someday--which I'm sure will elicit more of his viewpoints.

JC: Finally, how has growing up in the South--Arkansas, specifically--influenced you as a writer? This really wasn't something I gave much thought to concerning my own writing until I took a class about southern identity last year, and I think it's a great topic to explore with a fellow southerner.

AR: I have never lived anywhere but the South so I am not an expert on the differences, but I feel like it has definitely molded me as a writer. I feel like, depending on where you live, priorities are different; what people want to hear about is different; and your interactions with people are going to be different. As a journalist, this very much affects your job. While misspelling Johnny Boy's name in the local newspaper may not be the end of the world to you, to his friends and family who have been anxiously awaiting this day, it is a big deal. High school football is epic.

I used to sometimes get discouraged and be like, "Really? We're going to put a picture of the county pie-eating contest on the front page?" I soon realized, however, that it is our job as journalists to be story-tellers. Everyone has a story. It just varies--from region to region--what stories touch the people in that area.

On a lighter note, living in the South comes with that constant contradiction of "writing better than you talk." When people hear me talk and sometimes throw out the occasional double-negative or "ain't," it is hard for them to immediately connect that with the girl who wrote an article in the local magazine. Ha!

JC: Haha, you are dead on about "writing better than you talk." I am very self-conscious about the way I talk--granted, I had to go to speech until like the sixth grade. It's a real challenge because people hear my accent and immediately think it's impossible for me to write well, and it doesn't help that I make many of the same errors you mentioned.

It's been a real pleasure talking with you. Good luck in the future with your writing and your education.

Ashton Reely is a 23-year-old grad student at Harding University. She graduated with her print journalism degree in 2009 and is currently pursuing her MBA. In the meantime, she is a staff writer for TC Magazine in Searcy, AR and freelances for Searcy Living Magazine, "The Bison" campus newspaper and other local publications.

She is originally from Paragould, AR but now lives in Searcy with two good friends. She enjoys playing sports, working out, and hanging out with friends and family. She is also an avid karaoke fan. She is known for her quirky sense of humor and enthusiasm for life.

She aspires to own her own magazine someday or work for a non-profit organization as the coordinator of their communications. Her ideal career would be rewarding and enable her to make a difference in the lives of others.