Today we’d like to introduce you to Willow Ford.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Willow. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I had the privilege of growing up with my elders on a sunny front porch in the country. Here I learned my family’s history, hospitality, and the art of good storytelling. My favorite stories were those about dark and haunted places and the entities that lurk there. But time is not kind. I slowly lost my elders and my days on the porch became few and far between. The joy of storytelling stayed with me and the paper became my audience. Now, I share my stories with the world as a tribute to my ancestors.
In 2013, I completed my first manuscript and plunged into the wild rapids of traditional publishing. Two years later, I emerged with few viable offers and a greater appreciation for those who’ve succeeded in that game. In the interim, I’d created more books and had notebooks overflowing with ideas. A friend introduced me to the amazing world of self-publishing and advised that this, thanks to Amazon, no longer had the old ‘not good enough’ stigma. I refined my manuscript and in summer of 2015, published my first book ‘The Dogwood Grove.’ I enjoyed the entire process and the non-writer skills I acquired. I went on to publish two more books before taking a life break. I’m back this spring with a new book, ‘The Fadian Experiment.‘
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My greatest challenge is balancing my writing with the rest of my life. I’d write all day if I could, but life calls and I must attend to practical things like food and phone calls. Balance is important to attain or else you run the risk of burnout.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m an author and content creator who specializes in paranormal horror with a southern flavor and science fiction. Many of my stories feature a Scifi and horror crossover.
Who have you been inspired by?
My writing is inspired by Octavia Butler and Nnedi Okorafor as they write in genres I love. In my daily life, I look to my matriarchs (living and passed on) for wisdom and guidance.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.farbackroom.com
- Instagram: @thefarbackroom
- Other: https://linktr.ee/thefarbackroom
Image Credit:
Bookcover design by Teddy Vasquez (IG @vasquezgraphics)
Photo for bookcover by Katrina White (IG @kookieyummy1207
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