Arkansas resident Anthony Wood started writing a story, which turned into a series, when he discovered his ancestor switched sides during the Civil War. Gray & Blue is volume two of the historical fiction series A Tale of Two Colors published in May by Tiree Press, an imprint of The Oghma Press. He took a few moments to answer some fun questions for us.
What are you working on right now? I’m finishing the sixth novel in my historical fiction series A Tale of Two Colors, entitled Storm of Terror. I’m also writing a companion nonfiction article I hope to get published about the notorious outlaw gang who star in Storm of Terror. I’m also writing for contests here and there.
When is your next book in the series being released? Peace before the Second Storm, the third in my historical fiction novel series will be released November, 2022.
How do you relax and recharge when you step away from writing? Camping and kayaking, walking and enjoying the peacefulness of the Arkansas, Mississippi, and other rivers. More importantly, I enjoy spending time with family, especially my two granddaughters.
What is your superpower? I can sit still, especially in nature, observing, meditating, and making no sound for hours at a time. I have at times done so from before daylight until after dark.
If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing for the rest of your life, what would you like? Solitude, stillness, and silence. I know, that’s three things, but each needs the others for the best experience. That can make it tough being married and spending time with my two beautiful granddaughters though. It’s a balancing act.
What genre would you like to consider in the future that is different from that/those you do now? I have three, possibly four, murder mystery novels contracted with Oghma Creative Media which I have plotted out to some extent. I’ve written only a few mystery short stories, so I’ll be on a major learning curve when I begin those soon after I finish A Tale of Two Colors. Also for Oghma, I’ll do two nonfiction books on Civil War regiments my ancestors served with. I’d like to try my hand at writing horror sometime as well.
What can you tell us about writing historical fiction? If you have any interest in writing historical fiction, it seems to be a hot item these days. Pick a time period, do your research, visit the location(s), have a good story, and let your creativity bring history to life so readers will find it accurate, readable, believable, and enjoyable.
What’s your best advice for other writers? Nothing can take the place of sitting down in a chair in front of your laptop and writing like there’s no tomorrow. Release the story/poem/novel burning in your soul in the fury of a storm or in the laziness of a floating cloud—depending on the genre/emotion of your idea. Then later, come back and clean it up. Write while creativity has possession of your being.
What is the one thing we would never guess about you? I once snow-shoed seven miles in shoulder deep snow through the forest using only a map and compass to help build an ice bridge across a frozen river in Alaska in 35 below zero weather. My boss and I retrieved a front-end loader from a gold mine whose owner refused to pay rent on it. We crossed the river and brought it home.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why? Probably Tell Sacket of the Louis L’Amour series. Tell enjoyed his time alone in nature but loved his family deeply as well.
What book or book series have you recently enjoyed reading? I’m usually reading two-three books at a time of varying genres. Lately, it’s been The Deepest South of All by Richard Grant, To Find a Home by Dot Hatfield, The Walking Drum by Louis L’Amour, and George Washington’s Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade. I’ll soon start Elkhorn Tavern by Douglas C. Jones.
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