UnBiased Book Reviews: Author Interview – Ben Woodard @benswoodard

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Author Interview – Ben Woodard @benswoodard

Image of Ben Woodard

What’s the reason for your life? Have you figured out your reason for being here yet?

Fascinating question. And I’m not sure I have an answer, but I have a glimmer of an idea. About twenty years ago I reached a point in my life where I felt I wasn’t doing anything important. Oh, I was working at a good job, taking care of my family, and not breaking any rules, but that wasn’t enough. So I quit a well-paying job to work for a low salary for Habitat For Humanity, and through that organization, I came to the conclusion that my job on earth was to help others. And the way I could do it was to support those incredible folks who work with the young, the helpless, and the elderly. So I have been using my time, my money, and my skills to support organizations who help the less fortunate.

How do you feel about self-publishing?

Self publishing is a great option for writers, but it’s not to be jumped into without knowing your goals. I chose self publishing for my first books because editors and agents told me that realistic, historical fiction with boy protagonists would be a tough sell. To me, the smartest approach an author can take towards writing today is for him or her to keep all options open. Writers who publish both traditionally and indie are now being called “hybrid” authors and, I think, this is the way to go.

What is your favorite food?

As a Kentuckian, my favorite meal would be fried chicken with milk gravy, biscuits, pan fried potatoes with onions, kale or collards cooked with pork, and soup beans on the side. Yum!

What genre are you most comfortable writing?

At this time in my career, it’s children’s books. This is not the most profitable genre, but I’m hoping I can help kids to learn to love books. I have thought about adult fiction and once tried to write a sex scene—actually only a petting scene. I showed it to my wife and she howled, but wasn’t supposed to be funny. I’ve never tried again, so I guess I’ll never make fortune writing a Fifty Shades Of Grey book.

Do you intend to make writing a career?

I’m seventy years old and should be past having a career, but, yes, I intend to be a writer as long as I can. And I love the thought of having a new career at my age.