Meet Eric Woods

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eric Woods. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eric below.

Eric, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

My creativity is who I am. Since third grade, I have been a creative artist, starting with a short story about an alien lost on Earth. Since then, I have been a storyteller. I have written stories and created worlds in a variety of ways, from short fiction to stage plays, to screenplays, to eventually novels.

To keep the creativity alive and not burn out, I also have to know when to slow down and just let the ideas come to me. If I have to overthink an idea, that is when I know that I need to step back and wait for something more powerful to take hold. I love when a simple idea hits me, and I picture the story playing out in my head before I even write down the idea. I will have conversations between characters, and they will take the story to the next level.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My author brand has been my focus since 2018, and it is ever evolving. When I finally powered through my first full-length novel after years of failed attempts, I gained the confidence to continue writing with no real end in sight. Whether it took off financially or remained a part time thing, I finally found my formula to do what I had been wanting to do since I was a child.

Throughout this process, I have built my social media following and have learned different ways to market myself as well as my books. I have gone from small coffee shop book signings to large author events that bring in large groups of readers. In 2024, I attended more signing events than ever before, and I will likely double that number in 2025. I have built a website and recently began a YouTube channel that will feature different content, from my own book promotions to promoting other independent authors.

But the most exciting part has always been the writing itself. To be able to outline an entire story from beginning to end, then see it to fruition through early drafts, hours upon hours of editing, marketing, and polishing up the final draft before publication; that is the best feeling in the world. Currently, I have published eight novels, two novellas, a collection of stage plays, and have had short stories published in several anthologies. In 2025, I will be publishing a collaborative short story collection as well as releasing another novel.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Having degrees in English and Communication provided me with the educational background and knowledge to move forward with this dream of becoming a published author. Being a passionate storyteller and someone who constantly comes up with potential story ideas is another skill I’ve been blessed with. And I have learned so much from reading the works of my favorite authors, as they give me inspiration.

In writing, there are plotters (people who outline their stories before getting started), pantsers (they just sit down and start writing), and plantsers (a combination of the two). I tried being a pantser for years, not understanding that I needed more structure. The stories would never get past a few thousand words before I was stuck. But when I learned about planning out the story with character sketches and chapter outlining, I was able to discover a formula that works for me.

My advice for those who want to become an author-find the style that works best for you. If you have a knack for writing on the fly without an outline, go for it! Only you can discover what will work best to get your story written.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents let me be me. I was never told that I couldn’t follow my passions, and in fact, they encouraged them. They would read the short stories I wrote as a kid and never told me that I’d have to get a “real job” and give up my passion when I became an adult. Yes, as an independent author, I do have a full-time job, but because of their constant encouragement and belief that I could do anything I set my mind to, I was able to keep moving forward and finally break through as a published author.

My mom, who is not a fan of scary movies or books, still reads everything I publish and tells all of her friends whenever I publish something new.

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