Ask the Author: Tyler Woods
Answered Questions (8)
Tyler Woods
A story like this will never end. I may stop telling it but there is always more.
Currently, I'm about 300 pages into the sequel and the storyline is gripping. There is a lot more energy to the Ragnarok series.
Currently, I'm about 300 pages into the sequel and the storyline is gripping. There is a lot more energy to the Ragnarok series.
Tyler Woods
This cover was a long battle. I was nearly done with the manuscript and had no solid concept for the cover. I wanted a Viking flavor and the first time we came up with a sailboat on the cover it was scratched because sailing wasn't a major theme of the book. It was however, a major concept of the book in the sense of an epic journey. For the lack of a better idea we kept working with it. The first versions were difficult but when the reflection idea emerged, it was an immediate "Ah-ha" moment. Our Graphic Designer, Mandy, has done a fantastic job. The cover is all her work. I can't say enough about the importance of a good cover. It's the first thing to attract a buyer's attention to your book.
Tyler Woods
For forty years I've been teaching and writing about preparedness. My first book was "11th Hour Preparedness" but started as speaking notes for a conference. Issues and likely threats have grown exponentially over the years and when my "notes" passed 30K words, I realized I needed printing help. That grew to a book and it's nearing a 3rd edition.
The genre of fiction opens avenues to explore emotional aspects that "learning how to store food" can't address. I guess it was a natural progression.
The genre of fiction opens avenues to explore emotional aspects that "learning how to store food" can't address. I guess it was a natural progression.
Tyler Woods
I never intended to write a novel.... EVER. This story got into my head and the only way I could get it out was to put it on paper. Without going Gothic, writing is more like being possessed and the only tool of exorcism is the keyboard.
Tyler Woods
Realm of Ragnarok is the sequel and takes a journey of merging two very different groups into one community. Without spoiling, it's like "Post traumatic stress meets Mr. Rogers." So far, it looks to be another great adventure with some surprising plot twists of its own.
Tyler Woods
I have two suggestions:
1- Write in present tense/active voice. What you are writing IS happening as your readers turn the pages. Nothing "happened" unless the story is reminiscing.
2- Dump the adverbs. Writers tend to get gummed up over describing how and who is talking while readers don't care. If a man and woman are dialoging, their names only need to be given up front. After that, it's "he says, she says."
1- Write in present tense/active voice. What you are writing IS happening as your readers turn the pages. Nothing "happened" unless the story is reminiscing.
2- Dump the adverbs. Writers tend to get gummed up over describing how and who is talking while readers don't care. If a man and woman are dialoging, their names only need to be given up front. After that, it's "he says, she says."
Tyler Woods
For me it's the surprises that unfold as the manuscript takes shape. If I'm in the middle of a book, I don't know how it will end because I'm not there yet.
In Days of Ragnarok, there was a package that Rita gave Anna to take to camp. I had no idea what was in the package as I wrote it. The contents and subsequent plot diversion came to me days later and how it all played out still has me amazed.
In Days of Ragnarok, there was a package that Rita gave Anna to take to camp. I had no idea what was in the package as I wrote it. The contents and subsequent plot diversion came to me days later and how it all played out still has me amazed.
Tyler Woods
I let the story tell itself with few guidelines. Multiple sub-plots weave a storyline that goes in a general direction but that direction sometimes surprises me. "Blocks" for me are typically a matter of how to bridge from one sub-plot to another and when I get that 'lost' feeling, I go back to the beginning and start back through with a pass for edits. Then when I get to where I was having trouble, I usually know how to handle it.
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