Ash Lingam Interview

 

My first in what I hope will become a regular series of author interviews is with Ash Lingam, the creator of the popular Levi Johnson and Rayland Gibbs series. Ash has also contributed an instalment to Robert Vaughan's popular Crocketts series.

I'm excited to kick things off with an author whose work has entertained so many Western readers.

So, without further ado, let's get into it.

Hi Ash, thanks for joining us.

My pleasure, Brent.

What does a typical writing day look like to you?

I don’t have fixed writing hours any longer. I do a lot of sports, so I write in my spurts of free time. Some days I might work for a couple of hours, and other days, when I’m really inspired, I may work for eight hours straight. It all depends on my day-to-day inspiration. I don’t like forcing my writing; I prefer to let it flow.

How many words do you aim to write in a day when working on a novel?

I used to write down how many words I wrote each day, with a minimum of 3,000. 8,000 words is my record. I have been writing for over a decade and have written over a hundred Western novels, not counting eight or ten books of random genres. Now I have decided I write better when I don’t set daily writing goals. This lets me go over my work several times before moving on. I do a lot of work on weekends. I target a minimum of 70,000 words per book.

Are you a detailed outliner or do you discover the story as you write?

I am a pantser—like an airplane pilot who flies from the seat of his pants. As I write, I may change the title and target two or three times. Of course I use chapter outlines, but I write them after I finish the chapter. Then, I use them to guide me through the story so I can tie all the threads together for the close. Right now, I am writing my fifth book in the Texas Ranger series.

The book’s title started as Blood, Sweat, and Tears, but I changed it to BLOOD-SIMPLE because it better captures the story's action and chaos. (It is defined as a state of irrational confusion, panic, fear, and paranoia brought on by prolonged exposure to violence and extreme stress.) Often, the story takes an unexpected turn with no plan. That is what I like the best. That instinct for surprise clearly carries into my revision process too.

How has your writing process changed since you published your first book?

I had no idea what I was doing when I wrote my first book. It was about 100,000 words long and took me about six months to write. My son read it and told me to look for something else to do, which made me want to write even more. After eight failures, I finally wrote a four-book western, my first venture into the Old West, and they finally hit Amazon’s bestseller list. That was about nine years ago.

What are your favorite western series that you’ve worked on?

I suppose that I liked most of them. This is my third Texas Rangers series, so it is one of my favorite subjects. I also wrote a long series, Levi Johnson Mountain Man Scout, that is still running, and the seventeenth book is on presale now. Before that, I wrote another series called Mountain Man Scout with Hammer and Grizz.

Do you revise as you go, or complete a first draft before editing?

I revise my chapters as I go and edit each one when I finish. When I complete the novel, I have Word read it aloud to me before I send it to my editor. Listening to it read back to me helps me tell if it sounds like how people speak and is the best way for me to locate mistakes or find the right voice.

What advice would you give to writers trying to build a disciplined writing routine?

That is an interesting question, as there are so many ways to attack a book project. The best advice I can give is not to give up. Over the years, I've never thought about quitting writing. I believe each writer must discover the routine that fits them best.

You’ve been with Wolfpack Publishing for a year and a half, and you’re writing a new series. I’ve read the first book, Texas Ranger Rayland Gibbs-Dead Man Walking. How are things going on that front?

I started a new series on May 5^th, 2026. The first book did very well. Book three went on sale October 20^th of this year. Book four is currently being edited, and I'm now working on my fifth installment. So far, so good.

What kinds of books do you read for pleasure?

Classics and action fiction.

How much of your reading is research versus relaxation?

I do a lot of research: period weapons, the Texas Ranger organization, frontier towns, weather, trails, legal practices, and special events in my chosen time period. Relaxation is a big part of my day through sports.

Are there any authors you return to again and again?

Stephen King, Larry McMurtry, Dan Brown, James Patterson, John Grisham.

What book are you reading right now?

Strangely enough, I am reading Lord of the Flies by William Golding. I read it as a kid and am enjoying it again after decades. It was published in 1954.

Do you prefer physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks?

I prefer physical books, but I enjoy audiobooks too. That said, I have a collection of ebooks as well.

How has your reading taste evolved over the years?

Very much so, although I read much more before I began writing. Sometimes, when I used to read, I find myself writing instead.

Top 3 Western authors you’ve read? Past and present.

Larry McMurtry, Charles Portis, Elmore Leonard.

Which authors have had the greatest influence on your work?

Elmore Leonard and McMurtry.

What first sparked your interest in Western fiction?

I grew up in America, and 90% of the TV programs were Westerns. That and the fact that I was raised on a farm with cows, horses, and ponies. We lived with my grandad, who taught me how to trap at eight and gave me a shotgun to hunt at twelve. Our nearest neighbor was miles away.

Have any non-Western writers or genres shaped your storytelling?

Yes, Stephen King’s The Dark Tower is what inspired me to create my first Western character, Texas Ranger Rowdy Bates. It was a four-book series and didn’t hit the Amazon bestseller list until I finished the last book and killed the protagonist, which taught me a valuable lesson. Don’t kill off your main character because you never know what happens next.

Where do you usually find ideas for your novels and characters?

Honestly, I don’t know where they come from. A phrase, an image, or a scene will seize me, and if the inspiration is strong enough, I sit down and write. I often borrow qualities from people I knew growing up—kids from our rough school, long school bus rides, fights, poverty, and the need to stand up for yourself.

What separates a memorable Western novel from an average one?

Immersion. When readers forget they are reading and feel as though they are riding beside the characters—when the danger, dust, fear, and moral choices feel immediate—that is what separates a memorable Western from an average one.

Looking back on your career, what lessons about writing do you wish you had learned sooner?

Hahaha, that’s easy. Grammar! In my county back in Ohio, most kids were from farms, and the education system prioritized getting them through 12 years of school and back to work in the family businesses. I can't remember any of my classmates being held back from graduation, and we all paid a price for it down the road.

Bonus Question:

If you could spend an afternoon talking with any deceased Western writer, who would it be and what would you ask?

Larry McMurtry. I would ask how he made his characters so full of life, making them feel like old friends.

Once again, Ash, thank you for your time, and I look forward to seeing what comes next. 

Thank you for allowing me the time to speak a little about my work.