So I asked N.Wood is she wouldn't mind taking some time out of her day to answer some questions for me, she was kind enough to give me these answers:
Me: What started you off writing in the first place?
N.Wood: I found an interest in writing pretty early on when I was nine and had a poem published in a school book. From there I used to write short stories to entertain myself and they were also my introduction to fanfiction. In my early teens I wrote short stories based on The X-Files. Over time I also wrote a bit of fanfiction for Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings, but it wasn't until I discovered Twilight Slash fanfiction that I published my stories for others to read. From there I attempted original stories also and am still doing so today.
Me: you could be as good/ famous as any author in the world, who would it be and why?
N.Wood: I'm not so sure about fame because crowds make me nervous and I get uncomfortable being in a spotlight, but I'd like to be as good a writer as those who have attracted me over the years, such as Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes), Stephenie Meyer (The Twilight Saga) and Colin Dann (The Animals of Farthing Wood).
Me: What's your favourite book/ piece of FanFiction or both?
N.Wood: My favourite book that I could read over and over without getting bored is Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. His writing style is so different from other books out there and I enjoy his reminiscing of living in poverty in Ireland in his youth. My favourite fanfiction, though it's no longer available to read online, is January by Owenic. It was an expansion of Breaking Dawn and what could have happened afterwards, and though the story was mainly Edward and Bella based, I liked that it involved the other characters as well and it was so well written and tied up loose ends that it could have been written by Stephenie Meyer herself.
Me: What would you rather read, romance/ horror/ thriller or suspense/ psychological?
N.Wood: I rather like to read angst, as well as write it. I just have this thing that I like to familiarise with a likeable character that has so many trials and pains to . Though the character gets knocked back by some things, you're sympathising and really cheering the person on. Those are the kind of stories I like.
Me: Is there anyone in your family who knows you write, if so, who?
N.Wood: Both of my parents know I write, my mom actually pre-reads for me too. My boyfriend knows I write and knows that when I give him an evil look it's because he's making my concentration very difficult.
Me: What are you working on at the moment, FanFiction or an Original Fiction?
N.Wood: I have a few stories lined up to write, all Original, I just need to get around to writing them so my head is clearer. One I have in mind is a trilogy, heterosexual, vampire and historical so I'll be attempting three things I haven't written in excess before.
Me: Have you published any work yet, if so, what? If not, do you plan to publish anything?
N.Wood:
I currently have three self published books:
My Bittersweet - http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Bittersweet-ebook/dp/B00B380152/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_2SHQ
Unspoken Heart #1: The Sound Of Silence - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sound-Silence-Unspoken-Heart-ebook/dp/B00BLTIZCY/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2
Unspoken Heart #2: Can You Hear Me? - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Can-Hear-Unspoken-Heart-ebook/dp/B00BR2KLVI/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2
On March 30th I have a new book being released with Silver Publishing. Take A Gamble - https://spsilverpublishing.com/take-a-gamble-ebook-p-1423.html
Me: Your house is burning, you can only take 3 things with you, what would you take? (everyone is out safely, so no need to save people)
N.Wood: Well my two dogs if they don't fall under the people part (they're small jack russels so let's count them as one), my laptop because it has all my stories and notes on and my electronic cigarettes because I wouldn't want the stress of a burnt down house to send me back onto the real things!
Me: Which could you not live without, your mobile or your laptop?
N.Wood: My laptop. I don't use my phone that much, but I use my laptop a hell of a lot both for my stories and for keeping in touch with my friends, because my only friends are online.
Me: Family Guy, The Simpsons or American Dad?
N.Wood: The Simpsons, because I really cannot stand the other two and it's a sure way to get me annoyed when my boyfriend watches it while I'm trying to write.
Me: What's your favourite food? Why?
N.Wood: BBQ pork pittas - diced pork steaks, red onions, bell peppers and BBQ powder. Cook that all up together, spoon it into pitta bread that's been lightly toasted and buttered. It tastes amazing and the melted butter is lush!
Me: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Any words of encouragement?
N.Wood: Just don't give up. There'll come a time when publishing houses will turn you down and if they give you feedback that you may feel is picking your story apart, they're trying to help pinpoint bits to make it better. Take their advice and either resubmit to them or to another one. Many publishers say it'll take six to eight weeks before you hear from them. In that time don't sit nervously chewing your nails, but keep on writing. There may also come a time when you'll receive negative reviews. Remember it's not a slight against you personally, but perhaps the story content just wasn't for that reader or maybe if they have given reasons for a lower rating then like the feedback from a publisher, work on it to better the story.
And that's everything from N.Wood guys. I'd like to take this moment to thank you for answering these questions, some may seem a little unusual, but it's let the public see you as other than an author: a person as well.
Keep a look out for future interviews!!
Me: What started you off writing in the first place?
N.Wood: I found an interest in writing pretty early on when I was nine and had a poem published in a school book. From there I used to write short stories to entertain myself and they were also my introduction to fanfiction. In my early teens I wrote short stories based on The X-Files. Over time I also wrote a bit of fanfiction for Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings, but it wasn't until I discovered Twilight Slash fanfiction that I published my stories for others to read. From there I attempted original stories also and am still doing so today.
Me: you could be as good/ famous as any author in the world, who would it be and why?
N.Wood: I'm not so sure about fame because crowds make me nervous and I get uncomfortable being in a spotlight, but I'd like to be as good a writer as those who have attracted me over the years, such as Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes), Stephenie Meyer (The Twilight Saga) and Colin Dann (The Animals of Farthing Wood).
Me: What's your favourite book/ piece of FanFiction or both?
N.Wood: My favourite book that I could read over and over without getting bored is Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. His writing style is so different from other books out there and I enjoy his reminiscing of living in poverty in Ireland in his youth. My favourite fanfiction, though it's no longer available to read online, is January by Owenic. It was an expansion of Breaking Dawn and what could have happened afterwards, and though the story was mainly Edward and Bella based, I liked that it involved the other characters as well and it was so well written and tied up loose ends that it could have been written by Stephenie Meyer herself.
Me: What would you rather read, romance/ horror/ thriller or suspense/ psychological?
N.Wood: I rather like to read angst, as well as write it. I just have this thing that I like to familiarise with a likeable character that has so many trials and pains to . Though the character gets knocked back by some things, you're sympathising and really cheering the person on. Those are the kind of stories I like.
Me: Is there anyone in your family who knows you write, if so, who?
N.Wood: Both of my parents know I write, my mom actually pre-reads for me too. My boyfriend knows I write and knows that when I give him an evil look it's because he's making my concentration very difficult.
Me: What are you working on at the moment, FanFiction or an Original Fiction?
N.Wood: I have a few stories lined up to write, all Original, I just need to get around to writing them so my head is clearer. One I have in mind is a trilogy, heterosexual, vampire and historical so I'll be attempting three things I haven't written in excess before.
Me: Have you published any work yet, if so, what? If not, do you plan to publish anything?
N.Wood:
I currently have three self published books:
My Bittersweet - http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Bittersweet-ebook/dp/B00B380152/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_2SHQ
Unspoken Heart #1: The Sound Of Silence - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sound-Silence-Unspoken-Heart-ebook/dp/B00BLTIZCY/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2
Unspoken Heart #2: Can You Hear Me? - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Can-Hear-Unspoken-Heart-ebook/dp/B00BR2KLVI/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2
On March 30th I have a new book being released with Silver Publishing. Take A Gamble - https://spsilverpublishing.com/take-a-gamble-ebook-p-1423.html
Me: Your house is burning, you can only take 3 things with you, what would you take? (everyone is out safely, so no need to save people)
N.Wood: Well my two dogs if they don't fall under the people part (they're small jack russels so let's count them as one), my laptop because it has all my stories and notes on and my electronic cigarettes because I wouldn't want the stress of a burnt down house to send me back onto the real things!
Me: Which could you not live without, your mobile or your laptop?
N.Wood: My laptop. I don't use my phone that much, but I use my laptop a hell of a lot both for my stories and for keeping in touch with my friends, because my only friends are online.
Me: Family Guy, The Simpsons or American Dad?
N.Wood: The Simpsons, because I really cannot stand the other two and it's a sure way to get me annoyed when my boyfriend watches it while I'm trying to write.
Me: What's your favourite food? Why?
N.Wood: BBQ pork pittas - diced pork steaks, red onions, bell peppers and BBQ powder. Cook that all up together, spoon it into pitta bread that's been lightly toasted and buttered. It tastes amazing and the melted butter is lush!
Me: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Any words of encouragement?
N.Wood: Just don't give up. There'll come a time when publishing houses will turn you down and if they give you feedback that you may feel is picking your story apart, they're trying to help pinpoint bits to make it better. Take their advice and either resubmit to them or to another one. Many publishers say it'll take six to eight weeks before you hear from them. In that time don't sit nervously chewing your nails, but keep on writing. There may also come a time when you'll receive negative reviews. Remember it's not a slight against you personally, but perhaps the story content just wasn't for that reader or maybe if they have given reasons for a lower rating then like the feedback from a publisher, work on it to better the story.
And that's everything from N.Wood guys. I'd like to take this moment to thank you for answering these questions, some may seem a little unusual, but it's let the public see you as other than an author: a person as well.
Keep a look out for future interviews!!