Sylvia Woodham
Welcome to the Writing World of Sylvia Woodham. My background and inspiration come from a lifetime of reading and heavily from my studies of early British literature and philosophy. My writing frequently flirts with speculative elements, and one of my novels is in a secondary world. Much of my writing skirts the line between literary and speculative, when needed.
About
So where should I start? You want to know my background and history with words?
My parents read to me and told me stories as early as I can remember. They exposed me to mythology and folk stories of many cultures from indigenous to European to transplanted (Appalachian). Many of the best women authors I admire like Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Jane Austen, and George Elliot, write about strong father relationships with their daughters over books, and I shared this in common. My father grew up with a family who collected Baum's book about Oz which he shared with me, along with tales of Narnia and Middle Earth. As a child, I devoured silly British rhymes of Milne and Carroll, folk and fairy tales, and stories about animals like Marguerite Henry.
Since then, I have developed my storytelling and writing quite a bit, but I think it should never be disconnected from the curiosity and wonder we experience as children. While I have delved deep into the words of Thomas Wolfe and have Mary Renault as an influence, I never connected with the cynicism and attempts at mid century literary deconstructionism and prefer my writing and influences to strive for classic beauty of language well done.
After my self-directed study of literature, several languages, and interconnected cultural history, I have taken a long time away from creative writing while working in other areas of international affairs. I find that life experience has brought me to a place to exercise a very strong voice in what I have to say in my writing, and high concepts which I hope to weave into beautiful worlds.
Please be in touch with comments or questions or want to say hello. I am always happy to hear from you!
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Charles Wachter,
Emmy Winning Producer
I thought your premise sounded interesting and intriguing. Which is always the start. Keep it up.
Kate Ritter Werkman, 2016 Borderlines Writers Circle, Writers Guild of Alberta
You have created such wonderful characters and world to work within.
Jake Halpern, Pulitzer Prize Winner, 2018
Your project sounds fascinating, and timely. Keep going. Eager to hear about what you produce.
"O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us"
Robbie Burns
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