Even though I changed names and details, writing those moments meant reliving them. There were days I could barely see the screen through tears. There were moments where I had to quit writing and come back to it another day.

Ashley Babb – 29 September 2025

The Back Flap

When Aria’s childhood is stolen by the very woman meant to save her, survival becomes a matter of silence. Raised in isolation, manipulated through affection, and subjected to medical experiments under the guise of love, she learns to disappear inside herself, until the cracks finally split open.

Told in alternating past and present timelines, Stolen Roots is a fictional memoir rooted in true events. It explores the trauma of being erased, the rage of remembering, and the raw, defiant courage it takes to reclaim your story.

For readers of Educated and The Glass Castle, this haunting and heart-wrenching debut grips you like a psychological thriller, and stays with you like a scar that finally speaks.

About the book

What is the book about?

Stolen Roots is a fictional memoir inspired by true events. It tells the haunting true story of a girl ripped from her young mother and raised in secrecy by a woman who claimed to be her savior- but who instead became her captor. Told in alternating timelines, the book weaves trauma, medical exploitation, resilience, and the long road toward healing into a deeply emotional journey that reads like a psychological thriller with a survivor’s voice at its core.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing it in 2022, mostly in journal entries and short, scattered scenes. But I didn’t commit to turning it into a full manuscript until early 2025.

How long did it take you to write it?

Once I committed, it took about three months of daily writing. This story has been begging to be told. I just needed to find the courage to write it down.

Where did you get the idea from?

The story is rooted in my own life. While the ‘Present’ sections of the book are fictionalized, every event in the ‘Past’ sections of the book is based on something I lived through- or something I survived. Writing Stolen Roots was less about finding an idea and more about finally telling the truth.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yes. The scenes involving grooming and medical abuse were the hardest. Even though I changed names and details, writing those moments meant reliving them. There were days I could barely see the screen through tears. There were moments where I had to quit writing and come back to it another day.

What came easily?

The voice. Aria’s voice came naturally- raw, vivid, and unfiltered. It felt like letting the version of myself who never got to speak finally have the floor.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The names are different, but that’s it. They are real people. Marlowe, Ivy, and Helena are amalgamations of abusers I knew. Aria is me- and also every girl who was never believed.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Tara Westover (Educated) gave me permission to write about painful things with clarity and grace. Jeannette Walls (The Glass Castle) taught me that trauma can be told through a literary lens without losing its grit. And Colleen Hoover showed me that emotional stories can break and heal you in the same breath.

Do you have a target reader?

Yes, this book is for survivors. For women who were silenced, gaslit, or left to endure things no one should. It’s also for readers of dark, emotionally complex stories who aren’t afraid to look trauma in the eye.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I usually start with voice- the emotional undercurrent- and build from there. A flashback will hit and I run with it. I write in long sessions, often in the early morning or very late at night, when everything is quiet and the pain can speak freely. My laptop, a comfy blanket, and my pup are usually involved.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Yes, but loosely. I usually sketch out a rough structure: major turning points, emotional beats, and chapter flow. Then I let the story tell me where it needs to go.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I try not to edit while writing- it kills the emotion (and my train of thought). I get the raw draft down first, then revise deeply once the bones are all there.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, I used professional editing support after finishing my draft. I believe deeply in polishing the work to honor the readers who trust you with their time and heart.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes- instrumental music, usually. Soundtracks like The Leftovers, If I Stay, and Requiem for a Dream help me stay in an emotional space without distracting me. It’s generally music without words (once again, train of thought).

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No, this book was too personal to hand over to anyone else. I wanted full control of how it was presented and published.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

It was a mix of both. Gradually, I realized no one else could protect this story like I could. I didn’t want it watered down or sanitized. I wanted it real. And indie publishing gave me that freedom.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

The cover photo was one I created, and I worked closely with tools to format it myself. It felt right that the image came from me — another layer of ownership. The child in the photo is actually me. That photo is the only photo that remains of my childhood, and I’d be happy to supply you with the original photo.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

A little of both. I’ve built a marketing plan involving local bookstores, Facebook ads, ARC readers, and a handmade bookbinding release, but I’m still learning as I go.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Do it, but don’t rush. Your story matters, but so does how you tell it, package it, and present it. Own your voice, but don’t be afraid to ask for help, hire professionals, and invest in your work. Indie doesn’t mean alone.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Canada, Pennsylvania, and Florida, though my upbringing was… unconventional.

Where do you live now?

I’m currently in Texas, building a new life and writing full-time.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I survived what tried to silence me, and now I’m telling the story I once wasn’t allowed to speak. Writing saved my life, and if Stolen Roots can make one reader feel less alone, then every page was worth it.

What are you working on now?

I’m deep into writing a spicy psychological thriller series called The Mourner’s Society. It’s dark, romantic, and filled with buried secrets. I’m also binding special handmade copies of Stolen Roots for readers who want something truly personal.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Stolen Roots from Amazon US or Amazon UK.