Noah Ashenhurst began writing his first novel by focusing on the main characters, two graduate students named Stan and Del. Everything else grew out of that.

“Comfort Food” was self-published in late 2005 by the company Ashenhurst started, Old Meadow Publishers.

After seven years of work, he found little interest from agents or publishers, but felt the book was too good to languish in a box.

Publishers may have shied away from the structure of the story, which does not follow a classical linear format, or even offer an arch of conflict and resolution.

As Ashenhurst began writing his characters to life he realized “the traditional linear narrative wouldn’t work for what I was trying to accomplish.”

Instead, Ashenhurst focused on fleshing out his characters: Stan, a grad student, Del, a budding writer and ex-girlfriend, Stan’s stoner roommate Brian, local musician John, mountain climber Dave and his girlfriend, Bridgette, a rich girl who is a recovering heroine addict.

The result is a novel that is long on character, but a little short on plot. The chapter on each character is rich in detail, but leaves the reader wondering where it’s all going as the characters struggle with life and their place in it.

Ashenhurst said he realized that would be a danger, but forged ahead anyway.

“As a reader I like to be challenged a bit, to be pushed,” he said. “I see reading as being interactive, not just passive entertainment. I ask for patience and tolerance on the part of the reader.”

It’s a gamble to ask readers to delay their gratification until the final chapter, which Ashenhurst said is meant to bring it all together. That can put a lot of weight on that final chapter, after the reader has invested so much time in getting to it, but the writing style flows smoothly enough to keep the 253 pages turning at a rapid clip.

Here’s a hint: One of the characters dies in a tragic accident. Now you can try and guess who cashes it in while you’re getting to know them.

The gritty, angst-ridden writing style may not appeal to older readers, but will seem tame to fans of modern novelists such as Chuck Palahniuk or short story great Raymond Carver. There’s nothing pretty about life in a college boarding house full of stoners and slobs, working in an Alaskan fish processing plant or an out of control rich girl in the throes of a heroine overdose.

In the opening chapter we meet Stan’s stoner roommate, Brian: “Brian was sitting at the kitchen table, a white plastic patio set complete with open umbrella. He was wearing a worn dark gray sweatshirt and dark blue shorts stained with salsa and pizza sauce. His pudgy frame was hunched over an enormous plate of nachos as he stuffed the chips into his mouth with one hand and flipped through the most recent issue of “Omni” with the other. His greasy, long dirty-blond hair hung over his face in places, almost touching his food. Brian didn’t look up as he took a swig of Bud Light and said between bites, ‘Hey Stan.’”

Ashenhurst said his writing style is to sketch out the characters first, then see where they take him.

“I don’t know where it’s going to end,” he said. “I like some element of surprise.”

The author, who teaches English at North Mason High School in Shelton, said many elements of the characters are taken from his own life — he was a student at Western Washington State University in Bellingham, where the book is mainly set, he traveled in Europe and worked in an Alaskan fish plant. For other subjects, such as the drug addiction and mountain climbing, he did a lot of research and used his fertile imagination.

Ashenhurst said his mantra through the writing and publishing process was “Sometimes you make your own luck.” So far, that has proven to be true.

“Comfort Food” was picked up by Barnes and Noble after the author/publisher applied through their small press department. It is also available on amazon.com and at several local independent bookstores. Sales are going well and are beyond the circle of family and friends, he said. Appearing at readings also helps, and makes the fact that he has finally fulfilled his dream of being a published author seem like more of a reality.

Noah Ashenhurst will read from “Comfort Food” 3 p.m. Jan. 14 at Barnes and Noble, 3108 NW Randall Way, Silverdale. wu