K.E. Woodruff Shares Stories of Redemption and Hope
PHOTO: K.E. Woodruff, author of Awake While I Die, crafting tales where shadow and light intertwine.
Exploring Dark Themes Balanced With Glimmers of Light
Award-winning author K.E. Woodruff discusses her debut novel, Awake While I Die, a masterful tale blending supernatural elements with human struggles, redemption, and hope amid darkness.
K.E. Woodruff masterfully balances themes of despair and hope in her debut novel, Awake While I Die, creating an evocative redemption arc that captivates readers. A storyteller who finds light in the most shadowed corners, Woodruff, based in Alabama and immersed in family life, has made a powerful entrance into the literary world. Her first novel has earned widespread acclaim, including the Golden Stake Award at the 2022 International Vampire Film and Arts Festival. For Woodruff, storytelling is an intimate and deeply human endeavor.
Awake While I Die centers around Jason Harper, a raw and relatable protagonist grappling with grief, regret, and self-doubt. Through Jason’s complex journey, Woodruff brings humanity and vulnerability to the often-misunderstood “monster” archetype. By exploring contemporary struggles—loss, mental health, and redemption—within a supernatural framework, Woodruff’s storytelling delivers both relatability and enchantment.
K.E. Woodruff captivates readers with evocative storytelling, balancing emotional depth and supernatural intrigue in an unforgettable journey of redemption.
Woodruff drew inspiration for her vampire mythology from classic sources like Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the 2004 film Van Helsing. Her vampires initially appear as alluring mortals but progressively transform into monstrous shadows, a haunting representation of their inner battle. These unique creative choices imbue her vampire lore with depth and originality. To maintain order in her supernatural world, she established a vampire Council that acts as both enforcers and judge—creating a flawed but necessary system.
The emotional weight of Awake While I Die comes with Woodruff’s exploration of dark themes, including suicide and depression. Rather than dwelling solely on despair, however, she skillfully tempers the story with pockets of levity and connection. Jason finds light in unexpected friendships, love, and a mentor’s guidance, making his journey more profound and deeply human. According to Woodruff, balancing darkness with hope allows for a richer, more resonant narrative.
Writing such deeply reflective stories comes with its challenges, especially while raising a family. Woodruff admits that finding time to write amidst the chaos of parenting and caring for pets requires determination and adaptability. Often, it means writing late at night or carving out moments of peace during the day. Despite these challenges, she remains committed to her craft and believes in the power of every word she writes.
As a “pantser”—a writer who crafts her story without a rigid plan—Woodruff thrives by discovering her narrative alongside her characters. She often starts with small ideas, such as a piece of dialogue or a single scene, and builds from there. For her, the key to productivity is never starting with a blank page. Her process allows her to find organic moments of growth and transformation for her characters, making their journeys feel authentic and compelling.
Looking ahead, Woodruff is already working on several projects. One of her upcoming works, a young adult paranormal or psychological thriller, promises to immerse readers in a story filled with a cursed family, a mysterious swamp house, and a misleading narrator. The project is still in the editing stages, but she is eager to bring it to life when the time is right.
For aspiring authors, Woodruff emphasizes the importance of reading widely and critically. By analyzing both beloved and flawed stories, writers can learn what captures a reader’s attention and how to avoid pitfalls. She views writing as a continuous learning process, one that encourages growth through curiosity and resilience.
Through her evocative storytelling and skill in navigating challenging subject matter, K.E. Woodruff has positioned herself as a bold and inspiring voice in contemporary fiction. With her distinctive balance of darkness, hope, and humanity, Woodruff’s work remains unforgettable long after the final page is turned.
Source: Reader’s House Magazine
