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Please introduce yourself, who are you and what do you do?
My name is Krista Woodard. I currently work for Homeland Security as a federal officer. However, my true passion is reading and writing fantasy and anything that takes me to another world or on an adventure.
What first inspired you to start writing?
Since I was a child I loved to read and would spend hours outdoors reading my favorite novels from cover to cover. Occasionally I even tried writing my own short stories, but they always ended after a page or two. I could never make them last. Thanks to many long college papers I now have no problem getting out pages and pages of adventure. I always knew one day I would write a book, and for years, even today, I write down various notes, with ideas and characters for my future stories. Ideas would pop into my head, sometimes while driving, and I would fumble for a scrap of paper or napkin to write them down on.
And what attracted you to writing fantasy?
I've always loved fantasy, anything that would take me to another reality, and the curiosity of other worlds and creatures, the possibility that they might exist and DID exist in books. Writing a carefree fantasy novel allowed me to step away from the harsh realities of my job and everyday life. When I was younger I read a lot of non-fiction and fantasy and particularly loved nursery rhymes and folk tales from all over the world. Eventually as I got older I began reading more romance, so naturally there is some chemistry between some of my characters.
Where did the idea for Wizdom and Pandora come from?
This concept came to me from an old stone shed that I passed nearly every day coming home from school. It was so dark you couldn't see the inside from the road. I always imagined going in there and finding a secret kingdom full of riches and gold, like a doorway that led me to another land. In the opening of the book, Wizdom hides from some unscrupulous characters in a small stone shed covered by withering vines, thus finding a secret kingdom!
Which author do you most admire and why?
I particularly admire JRR Tolkien. He was an admired linguist and loved nature. The interactions he had every day with people, even during times of war, and how he felt among his fellow soldiers, is evident in the stories of friendship and camaraderie throughout his books. It is these experiences that inspired him to
create the characters of his stories and take us on grand adventures.
What is your favourite song lyric?
That's a good question. I really can't think of any particular line at the moment, but I can say that when I'm writing I always have inspiring music in the background by John Williams or Howard Shore, such as the Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, and Hobbit movie themes. I love the music and it's very energetic for the most part and keeps me motivated to write.
What do you bring to your stories that makes them stand out?
There are a lot of stories out there today with magic, and child wizards, so I tried to be original with all my ideas and story line. My books contain some humor among the characters as they travel together and get to know one another. I think this really keeps the reader engaged, and maybe even remind them of their encounters with their own siblings, friends or co-workers, so they can relate. I also keep the story moving, making the reader want to know what happens next, by giving just enough detail to let the reader form their own images of the people and places described.
What are you working on at the moment?
My story is destined to be a series of seven or eight books while my character goes through wizard school and will follow him throughout his adolescent years to his ultimate destiny. I have finished the second installment, which is not yet published, and I am currently working on the third. Each one is more intense than the previous book as more characters are introduced and more ideas and surprises lurk in every chapter! Wizdom himself will face many challenges toward fulfilling his destiny and his companions will have a few of their own as well.
Tell us about your latest work and how we can find out more.
The first edition in the series, Wizdom and Pandora, The Quest For The Blood Jewel, is available from Authorhouse.com as well as Amazon.com (or on Barnes & Noble). It is also in select Barnes and Noble bookstores and I have copies for sale on my website,www.wizdomandpandora.com. You can stop by here for the latest news and upcoming festivals and awards, such as receiving an honorable mention in the London Book Festival in January 2014. There are also teasers to the next book and Wizdom's magical adventure. I also have a twitter account, @wizdomandpandora where I release statements about the plot line to entice and engage readers in Wizdom's adventures. And of course you can follow Wizdom and Pandora on Facebook!
Click here to buy The Quest for the Blood Jewel from Amazon
Awesome interview!
ReplyDeleteSounded so good I got the book :) !
ReplyDelete:-)
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