Ask The Author: Ashley Farmer

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These Four Stories by Ashley Farmer were published in the January Issue.

1. What position of power do you want to hold in Farm Town?

Well, in the “real” Farm Town world, Tom is in charge. He’s animated and benevolent and direct in his interactions, and he even has a Facebook fan page.

But I’m content as master of my little farm domain. I have a Small House, a Small Pond, a Pine Tree Ready to Chop, a 2×2 Seeder, a Brown Dog, Carnations and Tulips, a Waterwell, a Cat Hedge, fruit trees to harvest, and the occasional tornado. There’s just enough power in that, I think. Living the dream!

2. Are you the wolf, the sheep, or the person crying wolf?

I’m the person counting sheep.

3. What weather system best resembles your disposition?

Dust cloud.

4. “The last things I want are attention or captives.” How true is this for you?

It’s true enough but then there are things I’d want even less than either of those: parking tickets, bee stings…

5. Where did these stories come from?

I’d like to say it wasn’t the game, but it was the game. Also, an abiding love for pastoral places in which I’ve lived/grown up, and pangs of homesickness when I moved here to L.A. I’d sit on freeways in this wild, superdeveloped place and reminisce about Kentucky and picture corn fields, the woods behind my old home, the creek and hills, feel nostalgic.

Also, the game is seductive in that it’s very green, you’re given land that’s free and empty, it’s a convenient respite (one in which you have a great deal of control), and you can easily succeed. A place to go for the out of place, I suppose (and space to go for the out of space). Plus: digital farming has its weird appeal when you live in a gigantic city; the concept was sweet to me, both charming and very funny.

6. What do you want to believe God made?

No junk.