WATCH OUT: Connie Wood 

SC: I want to welcome you all to another edition of Watch Out. This week I’m pleased to bring you author Connie Wood.

Welcome to Watch Out, Connie, it is so great to have you here.

SC: For the readers out there who might not know about you or your work, can you please tell them a little about yourself.

CW: Hi Savannah, thank you so much for having me here.  I’m an Australian living in the beautiful Hunter Valley region, and like most writers, have been writing all my life. I actually recently found a report card from when I was in second class, and it said how much I love ‘creating stories and need no encouragement to write or read stories’. So I guess it’s been a life long love, but I have only been writing seriously for about five years now. I write across different genres from contemporary, mythological and shape-shifting paranormal.

SC: You mentioned in your bio you have had many careers.  Any that you might say you truly enjoyed or would do again?

CW: I truly enjoyed setting up a non-profit organisation and working in Belgium, it was exciting work with the added extras of living in a different country with a completely different language and culture than I was used to. I learned so much from that experience and even though it didn’t work out to my expectations, I am forever glad that I gave it a go. I also genuinely love what I am doing now, writing novels and also setting up a letter writing business for children, which incorporates all the elements that I love, both children and writing.

SC: Can you tell us a little about your current release?

CW: My newest release is Dark Ice, a sequel to Dark Moon. It will be available through Pink Petal Books in June. It’s the story of Dane, a shape-shifting Polar Bear whom we met in the first book, Dark Moon. He finds himself having consistent and consuming dreams about a woman he saved in Dark Moon. Lea is the woman Dane saved and she too dreams of a man who can change his form. She believes she is having nightmares due to the trauma of the night she was saved from a massacre, that is until her dreams and reality start to mingle.

SC: Which do you prefer eBooks or paperback?

CW: Oh, tricky question! I love both, lol. I don’t think you can ever replace the wonderful feel of a book in your hand, however ebooks and e-readers have come such a long way. One of the main things I love about ebooks is their ability to be transported so easily. The fact you can store volumes onto one reader you can take anywhere in the world is brilliant. I also love the fact you can get so many differing genres  in ebook format. Ebook publishers seem to be more open minded about the type and content of novels than traditional paperback publishers, perhaps because of the vast differences in overheads and finance.  It’s like an entirely different world, there are so many fabulous ebooks and authors that readers wouldn’t get to enjoy if not for the rise of ebooks.

SC: What influences the topics, and genre’s that you pick to write a story in?

CW: Well, I have written in religious/mythological genre, shape-shifting paranormal and contemporary  genres. I enjoy the challenge of writing different genres and exploring different topics and issues. I believe that certain issues are developed and shown differently in diverse genres.  I write a wide array of genre’s because I enjoy reading different genres and I find that most people do as well. I don’t think I deliberately choose the topics of my books though, they seem to form organically as the writing progresses.

SC: One thing readers might be surprised to know about you?

CW: That I write all my books long hand! I used to type, but I found I came across too many writers blocks and as soon as pen is on paper, it all seems to go away and my writing flows. But the downside is, then I have to type it all out, but on the bright side, that can be good for editing as I go along.

SC: What is the biggest misconception you think people have about erotic authors?

CW: There are so many misconceptions, that we are somehow perverted, immoral, promiscuous, and extroverted personalities. It may surprise readers, but most erotic authors are ‘normal’ everyday people just like you or your neighbour. The difference is that erotic authors have brilliant imaginations and the fantastic talent to put it to paper. I think the biggest secret in the erotic novel world is the people who love reading it, whether they admit to it or not J

SC: Your favourite part about being an author?

CW: I love having an outlet for all the stories and characters who live in my head. Most writers will agree that it just feels right when you sit down to give life to your stories. I also find it truly humbling and amazing that people actually like reading what I write.

SC: What are you currently reading?

CW: I have to admit to being a big Sherrilyn Kenyon fan and I am waiting on her most recent book, No Mercy. Until then, I am finding myself immersed in some research for my next book about angels and mythology.

SC: Currently listening to?

CW: My local radio is having an ‘80’s revival, and I’m loving it.

SC: Describe your books in 3 words.

CW: Sensual, emotional, entertaining.

SC: If you could step into the shoes of another author who would you pick? Why?

CW: I’ll have to pick two. Firstly, Nora Roberts, because I am amazed about the sheer number of books she can produce a year. I would love to know how she does that and how she must get into the zone so deeply to be able to write so prolifically. And second, Emmy Ellis who writes many different genres under different pseudonyms. All of her  work is brilliant and I know she can write prolifically as well, but also how she changes her mind set to write so amazingly in so many different genres.

SC: What do you think sets your stories apart from other authors?

CW: I hope mainly the characters and original slants on familiar stories.  My characters are very important and I try to make them as memorable and realistic as possible. I want their emotional and physical journey throughout the book to really matter to the reader. I also try to make something original in the familiarity of the stories.

SC: Is there anything you’re currently working on that you can give us a taste of?

CW: I am currently working on the next two novella’s to my novella, Fallen Fae.  They are stories of mythology, angels, humans and fallen angels. I love the sensuality and magic of mythological stories.  The feel is more classical and lyrical then my other books and it is a challenge to create the feel of magic and passion and also be true to the myths in religion.

SC: What is the best advice you ever got with regards to writing?

CW: Figure out what success as a writer means to you and then stick with it. It took me a long time to find out what success meant to me as a writer. I now know it means to write, to write stories that I love to the best of my ability and then, hopefully, others may enjoy reading those stories.

SC: What is one pet peeve you have when it comes to publishing?

CW: The fact some publishers stick to what is currently ‘popular’ over substance of story. Also I am unable to fathom some choices of stories they publish, you know the ones where you read the entire book and are left wondering what was the entire point. There are so many fantastic authors I have read that are yet to be published because their stories do not necessarily fit neatly into a certain category or style. That is where ebook publishing comes into its own. They have a tendency to be more open about the genres and topics they publish, this of course doesn’t mean they have lower standards than traditional publishers though.

SC: Any advice for new writers out there?

CW: Firstly, love writing, do it because it’s your passion and then figure out what it is you want from your writing career. And don’t give up. Everyone says that, but it is true and important. Learn your craft and the business side of writing so you have a well rounded idea of the writing world.

SC: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

CW: My work is available at Pink Petal Books, www.pinkpetalbooks.com and Freya’s Bower, www.freyasbower.com

I also have a web site at www.conniewood.co.cc  I have a contact page on this web site if you have any questions or comments.

Thank you so much and thanks for reading.

Cheers
Connie Wood

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