Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I could easily be a hermit (with my husband) and never leave our sanctuary in the Ozarks. When I’m not busy writing, I’m trekking through the woods taking photographs of ginseng and other medicinal plants that are native here, or gardening. I love building rock walls and rocks are one thing we have plenty of around here! When the grandchildren visit, we spend a lot of time outside working in the garden together. I also love horseback riding and when we have time, we ride. In short, I’m much happier in the creative zone of shaping worlds, whether literally or on paper.
My finished books are all non-fiction, and all about ginseng and medicinal plants of the Ozarks. My novel (still editing) is sci-fantasy. I write short stories and flash fiction as well. A list of things I’ve written can be found at http://www.wildozark.com/publications/.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest is “DIY Ginseng Habitat & Site Assessment”, available at Amazon or as a PDF download from my online shop. I wrote it to help others find suitable places to grow their own ginseng. It’s chocked full of photos of ginseng’s companion plants, which are key to finding the best habitat.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I know of.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Early influences were Marion Zimmer-Bradley, Roger Zelazney, Stephen King, and Carlos Castenada. In more recent years I enjoy and am likely influenced by George R.R. Martin, Terry Goodkind and Brandon Sanderson.
What are you working on now?
Symbiosis, a sci-fantasy novel. It’s about Ki, the Tree of Life, and the son of Satan. Her mission to return balance to the earth’s energies by closing one of Hell’s gates and returning a measure of sacred to the profane of sex and death.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Aside from my blog and mailing list, I haven’t done a lot of promoting. Awesomegang is the first service I’m trying and it looks very promising!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, even when the world conspires to stop you. But your greatest enemy will likely be yourself, so be on guard (see the answer below).
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My husband once lifted me from a funky sort of writerly paralysis by telling me to just write the book (Symbiosis) and quit worrying about whether anyone will like it or what people will think, or whether it’ll succeed or fail. He was right on target with that advice, and it helped tremendously to hear it spoken.
What are you reading now?
Book 11 of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have another novel waiting in the wings, so I need to finish Symbiosis and get on with it. There will always be non-fiction and short stories on the agenda, as well.
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?
The I Ching, and three blank notebooks for drawing and writing.
Author Websites and Profiles
Madison Woods Website
Madison Woods Amazon Profile
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