Hello! My name is Ashley Elizabeth. I had been writing behind a penname "AELIZABETHMIND" for the passed 4 years. I have decided to finally throw away the mask, and emerge into my true self. I am Ashley! Hear my name! I am the Ashes Let Me Lay! Ha! This not only shows my growth as a writer, but as a woman. I no longer feel as though I need to hide behind my stories, and poetry, and it feels REALLY good! "LetAshesLay" will be my penname going forward. Being thought provoking, following a theme for my very niche community of readers, and just the absolute perfect timing type of idea that you could only find by having a loved ones inspiration.

I hope you will welcome this change with open arms!

I have written poetry since I was an adolescent. Being asked to be a part of the "Young Authors of America" program as just a child was an honor for me, and I will cherish those years for the rest of all of mine. I learned more than I could have ever imagined, and met an abundance of people who enjoyed writing just as much as I did, or more than me! I had no clue where that journey was taking me, but I am so happy to have been a part of it, for everything I learned, and where it led me to as a writer today.

As unsure as I had been throughout life, and the obstacles I have had to go through... I am happy to have had the ability to get it all out on paper, and overjoyed I am still capable to do so as an adult, with a platform here on Medium filled with support!

I am grateful for all of my books, all of my pens, pencils, and paper. My mother would make jokes about how excited I would get over pens, and paper! It was everywhere! She couldn't take me along with her to stores, like "Staples," or down any stationary aisle in general, mostly, otherwise I would beg, and plead for more! She said she would've gone broke if she bought me all of the pens I ever asked for! Thank you Mom, for always believing in me, and my journey as a writer. I am grateful for my childhood typewriter that I sat at for hours, and hours typing away. I am grateful for you, to have someone to share my thoughts, my experiences, my years in strife, and lessons learned with.

I do not believe I would have gotten through half of the years I've come to undergo without the knowledge of writing to which I was fortunate enough to acquire, nor without the many books I threw myself in, to indulge in adventures of all types, and to educate myself further on subjects of all kinds.

I owe more to writing than I could ever express.

This is who I am.

This is me in all my faults, flaws, beauty, and in love.

Whom I believe I am destined to be... A writer.

A Poet.

I didn't recognize how much my journaling, and poems resembled a truth in poetry that to which was worth publishing (within my hopes of resonating with other humans) until I was in my late 20's.

It took a lot for me to publish my first poem, and publishing still takes it's toll on me to this day. As each poem I write is directly from my own journals, and notebooks; I am honored to have a voice that is heard. Each poem/story I write comes directly from my own human experiences. It is not easy to be... well, the best suited word here for me would be, naked.

Yes, naked, indeed.

For all to see me, for who I am, all I have been through, and still endure.

I am LetAshesLay...

Please, comment below any stories or poems they resonate with you, and/or you have any recommendations as I continue forward on my path as a writer. Any criticism will be noted, and I will use it to fuel myself further!

Thank you for reading me, and for any contributions made.

I am thankful for each and every one of my readers. YOU! Each of you are the reason why I click on that little publish button. Thanks again.

Yours Truly,

Ashley Elizabeth "letasheslay"