My self-help debut, No Bad Drafts, is available to order on Amazon, along with its companion workbook.

I also have a spicy romantasy titled Fated to the Vampire Prince, which will be coming out 11/7/25!

The short answer: My brain moves at warp speed, and I have an overactive imagination—so it’s the perfect storm for writing stories! Sometimes, I like to think of my anxious part as a superpower. 😅

Much of my inspiration comes from my elder millennial upbringing—shows like Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer shaped my love of magic and strong, flawed characters. I also have vivid memories of flipping through the horoscope section of Cosmogirl magazine, dreaming of a life filled with magic. My best friend and I would spend our lunch money at the local New Age shop, buying crystals and oils, hoping for a little supernatural intervention.

I always dreamed of a magical being whisking me off to a world of adventure... Spoiler alert: it never happened. But now, as an adult, I get to write those magical worlds into existence. And trust me—plenty of dark romance, magic, and twists are in store!

Ah, the eternal question! First off, let me say: If you have a passion for telling stories, you’re already halfway there. My advice? Just start writing. Seriously. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t need to make sense. What matters is getting those words down.

For me, inspiration came from the nostalgia of my wayward youth and awkward twenties. Start by drawing from your own experiences, your favorite shows, your wildest dreams. What excites you? What makes your heart race? Those are the things you should be writing about.

And don’t worry if you’re feeling anxious or self-doubting (we’ve all been there!) If you’re struggling with a story, remember—sometimes you just need to dive into the chaos and see where it leads.

Finally, connect with other writers. Whether it’s on Wattpad, in writing groups, or on social media—having a community to support you and share ideas with can make all the difference.

If you’re really committed to saving money and time, check out my coaching page and see if working with me is just what you need to motivate you to move forward.

Remember, writing is a journey, not a destination. Keep writing, keep dreaming, and most importantly—have fun with it!

Honestly? Because I’ve been where you are—staring at a blank page, screaming into the void, and wondering if my story was secretly terrible (spoiler: it wasn’t, and neither is yours).

While I work as a resident therapist at my day job, my true passion has always been writing.

So, after years of mentoring writers and finishing a dozen manuscripts of my own, I took a leap.

I combined what I know about positive psychology and Internal Family Systems and my experience mentoring and crafting compelling stories, and came up with the plan for book coaching.

I know how overwhelming writing can be, and I also know the magic of having someone who believes in your story as much as you do (or even more, on those rough days).

Now, I get to help writers like you take those glittering ideas and turn them into drafts that make readers swoon. Because let’s face it: every story deserves a little love, and every writer deserves a bestie who gets it. 💖✨

Hype Girl Besties is my Discord channel where I host writing sprints, craft talks, and basically am there to build community and hype you up.

It’s a place full of other hyped authors. We don’t focus on what’s wrong in the writing world or circling the drain. We are a positive corner of the writing community. <3

Thank you for thinking of me! I love connecting with writers and sharing tools to support their creative journey. I offer 60-minute talks on topics like healing writer’s block and freeing your voice, with additional topics available upon request. To schedule a session for your group and inquire about pricing, email me at info@ainsley-james.com. Longer, 3-hour workshop sessions are available upon request.