Please introduce yourself and your book(s)!
My name is Emma Wood and I write under the pen name EJ Wood. I started writing as a form of escapism when I started up my own business in Spain – where I have been living since I was ten years old. I have two published works and two in the making.
What is/are the real-life story(ies) behind your book(s)?
My first piece (erotic short story) just came from my over-active young over-sexed imagination. My novel however, came about when I was a teenager and being rescued by a Knight in shining armour. It took me a long time to gain the courage to publish this book, so over the years it developed into a story about naivety; there is no Knight in shining armour – life’s just hard.
What inspires/inspired your creativity?
I’m always told I am very enthusiastic, ambitious and deranged! I think a combination of personal experiences and desires accumulate to my creativity.
How do you deal with creative block?
Generally I leave the computer. To try and write something that just isn’t there leads to gibberish. I often find doing menial tasks like cooking or cleaning inspires ideas.
What are the biggest mistakes you can make in a book?
I found that when I was writing over such a long period of time, character names and spelling and events can be forgotten. Read and re-read and don’t be afraid to let others read your work too to help find these errors in your plot.
Do you have tips on choosing titles and covers?
With hindsight, I believe I made an error with one of my titles. For my upcoming novel I’m trying a different tactic. Although I love all the titles I have chosen, it really can be a make or break kind of situation.
How do bad reviews and negative feedback affect you and how do you deal with them?
If I told you it didn’t affect me, I’d be lying. Of course all negative feedback hurts, but the way I look at it is, I can’t please everyone – look at Fifty Shades! You either love it or hate it.
Do you tend towards personal satisfaction or aim to serve your readers? Do you balance the two and how?
Writing for me is for me. Sure, it’s great if other people love your work but I write because I have a story that needs to be told.
What role do emotions play in creativity?
A huge role! I find myself emotionally vulnerable. When I’m writing, I have mood swings. I even cried, especially when I wrote scenes that derived from personal experience. I try and write characters that are like real life people and to me, they are real.
Do you have any creativity tricks?
Write from the heart.
What are your plans for future books?
I have one historical fiction in the works then I will be returning to a sequel to a previously published book.
Tell us some quirky facts about yourself?
I’m British by birth but have spent the majority of my life in Spain. I speak both English and Spanish and that does not do me any favours in writing! I moved to Australia when I was 18 to continue my education, achieving a certificate in Business Marketing. I now co-own a classic vehicle restoration business with my partner. I’m a biker chick too so when I’m not riding my bike I’m either writing or welding.
Where can we follow you on social media?
I’m very active on social media. I love to see people with a copy of my books and it makes my day when someone sends me a photo.
My website is: www.ejwoodauthor.com
And you can also find me on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEJWood
And instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e_j_wood_author/