Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is K.M. My love for fiction struck when I was a young lad. Like many in my generation, Harry Potter stole me away in grade school. Then, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton changed the game in middle school, which was the first time I found that realistic violence or danger could be portrayed in fiction. I dig the idea that fiction can encapsulate someone, and that this experience sparks from words written on a page.
Thus far, I’ve written three books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled A Whistle on the Waves. The novel follows a young immigrant from Ireland who is thrown into the toils of the American Civil War. The song, The Lakes of Pontrartrain, came on NPR one morning while I was driving to my day job and inspired me to write the novel. The beautiful song is the only tangible inspiration for the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My habit is fairly straightforward. I read, I journal, then I write. I do this everyday, usually in the morning.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
A countless lists exists in this box.
Hemmingway’s works have inspired me consistently throughout my career. Dostoyevsky’s work I often idolize as an unattainable feat, and I’m always awed by how genius it is. And while we’re listing off cliche geniuses, I’ll go ahead and throw Shakespeare into the mix. I studied his work for years, and have even acted it professionally.
Belive it or not, I often come back to George Carlin’s books whenever I’m feeling unfunny.
And I’ll throw in Johnathan Letham just because I love his books so much.
What are you working on now?
I’m actually rewriting my first book which has been both the greatest joy of my life and the bane of my existence for almost seven years now. It’s a dark comedy called The Ginger Who Snapped.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook, sadly. I’m new to all this shit.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write everyday and often. Read everyday and often. Have specific goals for yourself and hold yourself accountable for them. When you get rejected, let it push you further. Don’t allow yourself to fall victim to the hardships of being an author. Don’t do it for money. Do it because it gives you purpose. Expect to make mistakes. Expect to tell yourself that you suck. Expect every form of self-doubt, and keep writing anyways. Don’t let anything let you quit.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To write everyday. It changed my life entirely.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger, Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins, and Principles by Ray Dalio.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To write another book I suppose. I’ve recently finished a third draft of a Mafia series I’m writing. After I finish this draft of The Ginger Who Snapped, I suppose I’ll start the sequel to the trilogy.
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?
I’d bring Infinate Jest, because if I were on a desert island, I’d probably actually read the whole thing.
I’d bring Crime and Punishment.
I’d probably bring The Old Man and the Sea.
And a playboy.
Author Websites and Profiles
K.M. Woods Website
K.M. Woods Amazon Profile
K.M. Woods’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile