Action-Adventure, Thriller, and Speculative Fiction Author
DAVID WOOD
I’m a USA Today bestselling author of adventure and speculative fiction, a podcaster, and book reviewer. I also head up Gryphonwood/Adrenaline Press. I’m an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, and MMA!
I consider you a fairly established self-published author with dozens of titles out. What got you started in writing?
All of my life I dreamed of being a writer but never followed through. One day, a friend forwarded me an email (this was back in the heyday of email forwards) that read:
If you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?
What’s stopping you?
In that moment I realized that I had no valid reason not to write. I joined an online writing workshop that day and the rest is history!
Out of the different series of books you have out, which one is your favorite (not necessarily your most popular)? Why?
The answer changes every day, but at the moment, I’d the Dane Maddock Adventures. Especially book nine, LOCH. Growing up I was always a Loch Ness Monster nerd, so it was a fun book to write, and it got me onto the USA Today bestseller list!
Was the protagonist(s) of those novels a real-life inspiration?
Dane Maddock was inspired by action heroes like Dirk Pitt and Doc Savage, but isn’t the “invincible superhero” type you often get in adventure fiction. There’s a little bit of me reflected in his personality, but he’s not truly inspired by a real-life person.
What books have most influenced your life?
I’ve had many influences, but by Clive Cussler made me want to write action-adventure.
What are your future project(s)?
Right now I’m working on CONTEST, the next Dane Maddock Adventure, and OVERLORD, the follow-up to PRIMORDIAL, the aquatic monster thriller I co-authored with Alan Baxter.
RAPID FIRE
DOES A BIG EGO HELP OR HURT WRITERS?
It can be a two-edged sword. Confidence can help you overcome doubt and insecurity and can help you deal with rejection and critique. It can become problematic if your ego interferes with your ability to accept editorial feedback or causes you to stagnate as a writer.
WHAT ARE COMMON TRAPS FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?
Trying to be perfect on the first draft. Just write. That’s what the revision process is for.
Waiting for inspiration/believing in the muse. We have the same tools in our toolbox no matter how good or bad we feel on any given day. Writing is work.
WHAT IS YOUR WRITING KRYPTONITE?
Podcasts. I love them, but some days I catch myself spending too much time listening to other people talk about writing and not doing enough of my own writing.
DO YOU TRY MORE TO BE ORIGINAL OR TO DELIVER TO READERS WHAT THEY WANT?
I mix it up. My main series is pulpy action-adventure utilizing classic tropes, so in that respect I’m giving the readers what they want, though I try to come up with unique plot elements or put new twists on the familiar. In between Maddock books, I’ve written fantasy, horror, historical fiction, humorous urban fantasy, and dark thrillers.
IF YOU COULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER WRITING SELF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Don’t wait until you’re in your thirties to start writing. Don’t let fear and insecurity hold you back. Write for yourself, have fun doing it, and if you sell something along the way, even better!
WHAT WAS THE BEST MONEY YOU EVER SPENT AS A WRITER?
As a beginning writer, It was joining the Online Writing Workshop for SF, Fantasy & Horror. I learned so much from the critiques I received and from critiquing the works of others. I’ve seen a lot of indie writers get off to a good start thanks to a good book cover and intriguing premise, but a quick look at their work shows glaring problems with their craft, many of which could be easily addressed. After a few books their audience tapers off.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
Thanks to social media I’ve been privileged to have formed a lot of friendships within the writing community, and I’ve benefited from those connections. For example, my work with co-author Alan Baxter has helped me add a more mature, darker edge to some of my work, and added variety to my sentence-level writing, while writing with Sean Ellis helps me improve my prose and smooth out bumps in my storytelling.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
My writing process has gradually changed over the years. What my first book did for me is kindle a passion for independent publishing. The first version of my first book was terrible in a dozen ways. Through the process of improving it, I learned a lot about indie publishing and came to love it.
What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?
I almost gave up on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but a friend with similar reading tastes assured me I’d enjoy it if I stuck with it, and he was right. I loved the entire Millennium Trilogy!
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
My books typically require research into ancient mysteries, conspiracy theories, lots of exotic settings, and a little science. I usually spend a few weeks researching and outlining. Then I spend another couple of weeks working up a detailed outline and doing deeper research.
How long were you a part-time writer before you became a full-time one?
Seven Years!
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
Sometimes, though I try not to. I smile at the good reviews. With a bad review, I try to glean something of value from it. If it’s a review I think is way off base, I grumble in private to a trusted author friend, and then get back to writing.
What was your hardest scene to write?
In the fantasy trilogy I wrote under a pen name, I killed off some favorite characters in the climax of the final book. I hated to do it, but it was what the story called for.
What is your favorite childhood book?
Watership Down by Richard Adams. That was the first book I loved so much that as soon as I reached The End, I flipped back to page one and read it again.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
That’s difficult to answer because, with all my co-authoring projects, I’m usually at some stage of three different books at a time. I also have responsibilities as owner of a publishing house. If I were to focus on one book and work straight through, probably eight weeks including research and outlining, then a couple more weeks after it goes to the editor.
Is there anything else you’d like the readers/authors out there to know about you, your novels, and/or the publishing process?
I’m biased, but I think my books are great fun. I hope everyone will check them out!
RECENT BOOKS
David has many outstanding books out, but Solomon Key is his most recent.
SOLOMON KEY
The legacy of a kidnapped African warrior turned pirate sets Dane Maddock and Bones Bonebrake on a collision course with a deadly organization that will stop at nothing to claim the greatest treasure in history. But more than riches are at stake. Enemies old and new and even old friends stand in Maddock's way in a struggle to control the mysterious power unlocked by the SOLOMON KEY.
Connect with David
For information on his writing, visit him online at
For advice on indie publishing, thoughts on writing, and free audio fiction, stop by www.woodonwords.com