This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Annie Wood will be awarding a $40 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Was writing your first love?
Acting was my first everything. I was obsessed with learning everything I could about becoming an actor. I was in my first class at age 10 and got my first agent at 12. Joined a theatre company at 16 and that became my whole world. But thought it all, I always wrote - poetry, stories, scenes and plays.
Where do you like to write?
I can write anywhere. I once wrote a short film in a crowded bar with live music blaring around me. In a way, all that noise, helped me focus in on what I was doing. I used to go to restaurants to write but these days, I’m happy in my home office. It’s small but cozy and I recently re painted it orange and blue. It makes me happy.
Is writing everything you thought it would be?
At my core, I’m a writer. So I never thought about how it should look, only how it should feel. It feels to me, like I’m meant to do it.
Who is/was your favorite character to write about?
I liked writing Maddie in Just a Girl in the Whirl because even though she’s only 14 she knows who she is and isn’t afraid to be it.
How do you form your story ideas?
I usually write a screenplay first and then the novel version. I love writing dialogue.
Do you keep notes during the day? (In case something inspires you or, if you had a lively conversation and thought, “Hey that would be great in a book.”)
All the time! Sometimes I have to get up in the middle of the night to write ideas down. When I’m driving around I ask Siri to send myself an email with my idea. When I’m on the back of our motorcycle I manage to type into my notes app. I have post it notes everywhere. Always have.
Do you write in one sitting or in bursts?
BURSTS! Sorry for yelling but i’m so into bursts that I used to have a FB group called “Annie’s writing bursts!” :) 2 hours at a time is best for me. With breaks and then back to it. Sometimes 1 hour bursts.
What was the last book you read? Did it live up to your expectations?
I am currently working on another young adult novel, this time it’ll be an illustrated novel. So I read The illustrated novel, Diary of a Teenage Girl by Phoebe Gloeckner and I loved it!
What are some of your most difficult parts to write?
I don’t enjoy outlines.
Did this book follow your original plan? Or did it turn into something completely different?
I first wrote it as a TV pilot, then a screenplay and then a novel so each time, somethings naturally wanted to change. And I let them.
Did your characters ever stop talking to you at any point in your writing?
Never!
Was it hard to stay motivated during your writing process? What were some of your go-to strategies to stay on point?
When I love doing something I’m hyper focused on it so it’s not hard for me to stay motivated it’s hard for me to remember to do other things. The timer on my phone is the best thing for me. If I want to paint instead of write but I’m on a deadline for the writing then I will make a deal with myself that I can paint after I write for one hour. I set the timer and off I go!
Do you have a playlist for this book? Or any song that helped you develop a particular scene?
I’ve done that before but I can’t remember if I did for this. If I write something that takes place in another decade then I will for sure make a playlist from songs of that time. There is a Bon Jovi song I reference in the book, “It’s my Life, and I’ll do what I want” are the lyrics that come to mind.
Lastly, what is one key piece of advice you would give to anyone wishing to go down the writing path? Thank you for your time today :)
The number one rule of being a writer is to write. Don’t worry so much about being good, or writing a certain amount or in a certain way, just sit down and let the words flow. You never have to show what you write to anyone. If you keep that thought in your mind it will free you up to be your most real self. Explore, let go and above all, please enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy it, what’s the point?
Keep Creating.
Keep Positive.
Keep Showing Up.
XO, Annie
A 17 year old girl is overwhelmed with responsibilities trying to keep her messy family together. Everything spins out of control when her addict actor dad who bailed on the family three years ago leaving her with her lovable but bi-polar mom and her two little sisters, comes back into town and wants to reconnect.
Writing poems is her only escape. Just a girl in the is about family, forgiveness, and having enough courage to live your own life, your own way.
Enjoy an Excerpt
In the past 747 days I’ve made 747th breakfasts for my family. I barely have to think about what I’m doing anymore, the eggs just poach themselves. Doing the same thing, day in and day out, gives my life the feeling of being stuck in slo-mo. In fact, I’m moving so freakin’ slowly I may as well be standing still. It’s like I managed to step into a vat of cement while everyone around me is coasting along on one of those people movers they have at the airports. Also, my particular vat of cement happens to be on a carousel, going around and around and around. So, sure, there’s movement, only I’m not getting anywhere.
“Damn it.” I bend down to pick up yet another broken glass. My bad. As usual. When my mind wanders, it takes my coordination with it.
“Lauren. Don’t say damn.” my kid sis reprimands.
“You’re right, Sara. Sorry. Finish your scrambled eggs, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Ouch.” I cut my pinkie on a sliver of broken glass.
“We’re out of Band-Aids,” Matty informs. “You should get more.”
“Gee, thanks, sis. Don’t bother getting up.”
“I won’t,” she tells me as she continues scarfing down the food I made her.
Yep, this is my brood. Not on purpose, though. I mean, I didn’t plan this brood or birth this brood, it just sort of turned out that they’re now, mostly mine.
My eighteenth birthday is in 99.3105497 days away and then I’ll be free.
About the Author:
Wood was part of the NBC DIVERSITY SHOWCASE with her comedic scene, That’s How They Get You. She’s written 100s of scenes for actors that have been used by Emmy Award-winning TV director, Mary Lou Belli in her UCLA course and casting director, Jeremey Gordon in workshops all around town.
As an author, she has three books out: Dandy Day, Just a Theory: a quantum love adventure and her first YA novel, Just a Girl in the Whirl (Speaking Volumes Publishing)
Annie’s also an Internationally exhibited mixed-media artist, a produced playwright, and was the third female solo dating game show host in the history of television with the nationally syndicated show, BZZZ! that she also co-produced. (Which just re-ran in 2020 on BUZZRTV!)
Annie writes and creates art daily.
She also runs the Twitter account for the Women of the Writers Guild West. Follow us here. She is part of the Middle Eastern Committee at WGA and a Dramatist Guild Member and an Authors Guild Member.
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ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book.
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