April M. Woodard is an advocate for the autism community, sharing how she worked with her own autistic traits to create a fictional book series. She is also a marketing consultant to authors, helping them focus on how they can connect with their ideal audience. Hear April in episode 105 of The Path to Authenticity.

 

 

If your life were a novel, what would be the title?

Overcoming Aspergers with Faith

 

Where were you born?

A small town in Virginia

 

Where is the place you call home?

Georgia (half an hour from the big city of Atlanta)

 

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A paleontologist. I’ve always had a fascination with dinosaurs. When Jurassic Park came to the big screen I was set on digging up bones.

 

What is your profession?

Author. I write Speculative Fiction. I’m also a contributing author for a company called Chatables. I write interactive short stories for their (soon to go live) Echo Dot app.

 

What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?

I actually have a masters in Cosmetology. I realized I didn’t want to be a hair dresser. I quit that profession in my early twenties and in my late twenties pursued my writing career.

 

What is your favorite quote?

“She conquered her demons and wore her scars like wings.” – ATTICUS

 

What is your preferred form of creative expression?

Writing. It’s very therapeutic. I can put my characters through situations and it helps me learn how to sort through my own roadblocks. My characters are so much stronger than me. I look up to them.

 

What is your favorite movie, song, and work of art?

Favorite movie – that’s tough. I have so many. I have to say What Dreams May Come. The imagery is amazing. I love that the message is to never give up. Favorite song is Saturn by Sleeping at Last. I like Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. It’s dark yet inspiring.

 

Who do you admire most?

My stepdad. He came into my life when I was seven.

Over the course of your life, what is an issue with which you have repeatedly struggled?

Saying no. I’ve always been the type of person to put others before me. In the past three years, I’ve gotten better at making my health (mental and physical) a priority.

In childhood, who was your celebrity crush?

Leo DiCaprio. I thought he did a phenomenal job in Titanic and Romeo and Juliet. I’m still a Leo fan!

 

What historical figure would you most like to meet?

Elvis! I just started collecting his vinyl records.

 

What natural gift or ability would you most like to possess?

Saying exactly what I think. It’s something my husband is good at. He doesn’t sugar coat anything. I’m always overthinking how to approach uncomfortable conversations.

 

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

That’s a tough one. I want to say my kids.

What quality do you admire most in a person?

Honesty

What is something you would like to learn about?

Anything that has to do with ancient history. I’m fascinated with it.

What do you wish more people knew about you?

People always think I have it all together. They see me working hard and checking goal boxes. But it took practice! I wasn’t born with organizational skills or even common sense, for that matter (Aspergers trait). It took almost 40 years to find balance in my life.

What is your idea of success?

Getting to a place of contentment.

 

What would you like people to say about you when you’re gone?

I’m not exactly sure. Maybe that I was a good mother or that I was kind.