Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
LADIES OF THE CANYON, a psychological thriller, is my first novel, published last week by Prospective Press. It’s about the dark side of Hollywood where I live and work, centering on the twisted relationship between an aging child star and the young actress she takes in to her decaying mansion. Here’s my short bio: Douglas Wood writes, creates and produces children’s television for Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, NBC, Amazon, BBC, Netflix and Apple. The PBS series, Molly of Denali, for which Wood was Story Editor received a Peabody award. Wood has also been a film executive for Steven Spielberg at Amblin Entertainment as well as several major Hollywood studios. He began his career in entertainment as an actor in Chicago where he appeared at Steppenwolf and the Goodman Theatre. He was a member of the Second City National Touring Company and the Fine Line comedy duo, which appeared at the Comedy Store, The Improv and The Motown Revue with Smokey Robinson, an NBC series for which Wood was also a writer. He lives in Topanga Canyon in the Santa Monica mountains outside Los Angeles with his wife and two cats.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
LADIES OF THE CANYON was inspired mostly by the film, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? but also by SUNSET BLVD. and the novel and film, DAY OF THE LOCUST. I find psychological horror much scarier than traditional supernatural novels.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a spectacular view of the mountains from my office window, but I keep the blinds drawn so as not to distract me. And of course, sometimes I have to come up with clever means to reach my keyboard because one or both of my cats feel like they have something to contribute.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Joyce Carol Oates, George Saunders and Ian McEwan are three of my favorite authors and have influenced my writing.
What are you working on now?
A novel set in the world of antiques, collecting, garage sales and flea markets– it’s an interesting subculture that no one has really explored yet.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads. And my website: https://writewoodink.com/novel.html.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write something you’re passionate about as opposed to what you think might sell. Writing is a long process and you have to make sure you look forward to spending long days with your characters and their world.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing is rewriting.
What are you reading now?
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. It’s funny, disturbing and incredibly well-written and
What’s next for you as a writer?
See “what are you working on now?”
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Collected works of Edgar Allan Poe, the reviews of Pauline Kael, and We Need to Talk About Kevin.
Author Websites and Profiles
Douglas Wood Website
Douglas Wood Amazon Profile
Douglas Wood’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile