Dragon Soul Press took the opportunity to interview Abby Woodland, an author of fantasy!

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1) Introduce yourself!

My name is Tylee Ertel, but I go by Abby Woodland. I am a single mom with agoraphobia and a love of writing. I have a beautiful daughter with special needs that inspires my work every day.  In my free time you’ll find me reading, playing guitar and piano, on a walk, playing with my daughter, obsessing over Lord of the Rings, cooking, or working on serving the homeless here in Arizona and advocating for special needs and mental health. 

2) What prompted you to begin writing?

I’ve always wanted to write. Since I was little and had spent a lot of time either alone or moving around, so I’d read books to keep me occupied and study history. History is only known because it’s written about. I wanted to write historical things too. I also wanted to change the way people saw the world and the perspectives they have on it… thus I became a writer and had my first poem published when I was 12. 

3) Do you have a favorite story or poem you’ve written? What’s it about?

The Raze is my favorite so far! It’s realistic and based on things that could actually happen today. I’ve been told it’s eerie to read and gives Walking Dead vibes minus the zombies. It’s my first dystopian novel. I mostly wrote horror and fantasy otherwise.

4) How many projects do you have planned over the next few years? Tell us about one.

I have over 50 books I’m working on. I have 15 published with 16 in beta reading, 17 in the works, 18-20 are still in the early stages, but will be out hopefully, by the end of the year! I’m editing a lot, so I have to balance both editing and writing, plus the mom thing. Hahaha 

5) What is your writing process like?

When I write, I usually just go for it. No plans or plotting. If I find a book has a lot of characters like The Circus Black or House of Black, then I write names down. Same for intricate plots if it gets too tangled. But writing for me is generally typing it up on my laptop and getting distracted by social media when I can’t think. 

6) Where do you draw inspiration from?

Real life is my inspiration. Everything I write is taken from something personal to me. Mainly I use ex boyfriends, family, traumatic experiences, and the news to fuel my ideas. It’s part of standing with my readers in their darkest moments and letting them know they aren’t alone, and that we feel those feelings together. 

7) Who is your favorite author / what is your favorite book?

I like Grady Hendrix. He mixes comedy, horror, and complex moral situations together for engaging and mind reeling books. We Sold Our Souls and Bad Asstronauts are my favorites! 

8) What is one goal you have for your writing future?

 My goal is to reach more readers who actually want to read about reality in a fantastical way. I want readers to be open to new possibilities in their own lives and see the world around them… really see it… and know there’s a way to fix it, change it, escape it, or be taken by it. Life isn’t sunshine and rainbows, it’s beautiful and dangerous all at the same time. 

9) What do you hope readers enjoy most from your work? 

I hope they enjoy the meaning behind everything and the hidden themes and messages each book has. I’d love to see who can figure out the real stories and life experiences I share within the pages.

10) Where can readers learn more about you?

You can find me mostly at www.abbywoodland.com, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.