Author Interview with Tyler Woods

Stories today tend to be on the edgier side, even stories meant for younger readers. Shock value, suspense, gore, and even taboo topics are high in demand. Kids line up to read who will survive the next Hunger Games books, adults stand around the water cooler wondering who will be killed off next on The Walking Dead, and audiences flock to the movies to see how racy Hollywood will allow 50 Shades of Grey to get.

Author Tyler Woods purposely seeks out to not to rely on shock, gore, or lewdness in writing his self-published books, making them “genreless” in terms of where they fall age wise. In reading his answers to my questions, it was interesting to discover Woods he purposely strayed from these current conventions and sought out to create a solid, entertaining piece that stands on its own two feet. Below is my interview with Tyler Woods along with links to buy his books.

1. How many books have you written and where can you buy them?

I have two titles in print, both available on Amazon and other bookstores. One is nearing its third edition and I have a sequel to my first novel that is nearing completion. I have written many articles that have been published.

2. What famous books can you compare to your own?

Regarding subject matter, I would have to liken my most recent book to One Second After by William R. Forstchen. Each book describes the struggles of reconstructing life from the aftermath of destruction.

3. Why do you write for this particular age group?

My writing doesn’t target a particular age group, but I find both lewdness and vulgarity a cheap substitute for poor story line. As such, my writing is appropriate for young readers as well as adults. Authors who need profanity to add “realism” are poor authors in my opinion. The same can be said for using sexual content to keep reader attention. My writing is gripping without them.

4. How autobiographical are your books?

I draw a great deal of my story line from personal experience. I guess there is a little of me in each of my characters.

5. What’s the best compliment that you’ve ever received about your writing?

I sent my graphics artist an early portion of an unfinished manuscript so she could start getting ideas for cover design. A few days later I received an email, asking for the rest of the copy AND wanting to know how a particular sub-plot turned out. She was fully drawn in by the story, and there is no greater compliment for an author.

6. What has been your greatest moment as a writer so far?

There is nothing to compare with seeing your first book in print and having it exceed R.O.I. (Return On Investment) within three months.

7. Where do you get your covers?

YamerPro.com is a graphics design business that is run by a very talented young lady. She has designed each of my most recent two covers and will certainly be asked for my third. Covers are perhaps the most important selling feature of a book. It is what draws you to pick it up and read the back.

8. What is a subject/character/setting you would like to tackle?

I’ve touched on this in my books but want to address it more. There is a lot of bitterness and vengeance in the world, and everyone is affected by it.

Hate is like a contagion for which forgiveness is the only antidote. I can see writing of a young person suffering a terrible wrong done to them. They travel down a dark path only to realize they were being infiltrated by the same hate they were trying to avenge. What they will realize is vengeance will have its due, but they don’t have to execute it.

9. What is next for you?

I’m already working on a sequel and will most likely finish the work as a trilogy. This project has certainly not lost energy.

10. End with a quote from one of your books.

“The best place to be when trouble breaks out… is somewhere else.”

- 11^th Hour Preparedness, 2^nd edition