Elizabeth is a mother, teacher, master’s student in fine arts, an accomplished storyteller, and the author of multiple heartfelt books on surviving trauma
Curator’s Note: Elizabeth Woods, also known as Lizzy, is a multifaceted individual encompassing roles as a mother, teacher, master’s student in fine arts, and a trauma survivor. Her writing deeply resonates with themes of survival and recovery, focusing on the aftermath of trauma rather than the trauma itself. Lizzy aims to illuminate the experiences of trauma survivors through her heartfelt books and articles, providing a voice to those struggling to articulate their emotions. As she works towards her MFA, Lizzy remains committed to helping others through her stories and several books while advocating for mental health awareness in an increasingly demanding world. This interview was conducted by Dr Mehmet Yildiz, chief editor of ILLUMINATOIN Integrated Publications on Medium and Substack.
Hello Subscribers,
I trust this post finds you well. Welcome to another episode of my conversations series with writers, book authors, professionals, and thought leaders worldwide. Today, I will introduce you to an accomplished book author, Elizabeth Woods (Lizzy).
I invited Lizzy to this conversation because her writing speaks to something many voices address but few articulate with clarity. It comes from her lived experience rather than abstraction.
Behind her roles as a mother, author, writer, student, and teacher sits a history shaped by early trauma, and a long process of learning how to live, think, and create after it.
What drew me most was how she writes from the after. Not from the moment of trauma itself, but from the quieter, often misunderstood territory that follows.
It is from the part where survival continues, where memories linger, and where meaning is slowly rebuilt. Her work brings attention to the invisible weight many trauma survivors carry while still showing up for family, study, and creative life.
Lizzy’s decision to pursue an MFA while working as a teacher, raising a family, and writing about mental health reflects a deeper commitment to understanding and expression.
When reading her poignant yet insightful and inspiring stories, I noticed that Lizzy does not write to dramatize pain, but to make sense of it, and to offer language to those who struggle to explain their inner world.
This conversation is less about biography and more about how trauma shapes voice, purpose, and the courage to keep writing as an example to inform you.
I believe this dialogue and the resourceful links I provide will offer insight, resonance, and quiet encouragement to readers who recognize parts of themselves in her story, and to those who wish to better understand what it means to live, learn, and create after trauma.
You can find Elizabeth on Medium and Substack.
Hi Lizzy, let’s start with a bit about your background.
Hi Mehmet, thank you so much for this opportunity. It is a great pleasure to be part of your ILLUMINATION community. Yes, I’d be happy to give some background information.
I am a mom, an author, a writer, and a teacher. But I also want to add that I am a trauma survivor, as it impacts my writing. It is my passion to advocate and write for those who are or have been affected by trauma.
There are many of us out there in this troubled world, and it is time more people understood what it is really like to live after trauma.
I spread awareness about what it feels like after breaking away from trauma and the struggles survivors carry. This is the reason why I write mental health articles on Medium and other social media platforms.
I am also about to complete my MFA degree and am currently working on my thesis, which takes a lot of time.
What do health and well-being mean to you?
Health and well-being are the sources of our lives.
As human beings, we thrive when we feel safe and nurtured. Stress and trauma, which are so prevalent in our world, make healthy living harder.
The pressure is rising on our workforce and families who strive to live under rules and hardships.
What principles and values guide you when teaching children?
My main principle is to see the whole child. Every child arrives at school with a life that existed before the classroom, including their experiences in the morning and evening.
One of the biggest challenges for modern educators is safeguarding and nurturing children who need extra support. Children cannot learn effectively when they face mental, social, physical, or emotional obstacles.
After the COVID pandemic, mental and emotional support have become more important than ever.
What are your hobbies, or what excites and entertains you?
As a passionate writer, writing is both my hobby and my source of excitement. I love the outdoors and being in nature. My family is involved in scouting, and my favorite sport is swimming.
What are the top three books that have affected your life?
That is a hard question because there are so many to choose from. I am an avid reader, and I love researching for my novels as well as reading for pleasure.
If I had to choose, the books that changed my life most are:
- The Courage to Heal by Bass and Davies
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
- Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
These choices are deeply connected to my background as a trauma survivor. If it were not for The Courage to Heal, I would never have recognized the pain I was carrying.
Dr. van der Kolk’s book, which explains how trauma manifests in the body, is revolutionary. It helps us understand how trauma lives in both the body and the mind for decades.
My final choice, Birdsong, is historical fiction based on truth. I found it deeply moving, especially in how it portrays life continuing after war.
Can you tell us a bit about your books?
My books are now listed on Medium, and I have been verified as an author. I received an unexpected email asking me to submit my links, and they are now live on my profile.
This is the series link for my Cedar’s Port thriller romance series. Here is the link to my first memoir and my second memoir
Why do you write on Medium?
I discovered Medium by chance in 2022, around the same time I published my first book. I was hesitant at first to publish my writing, but I soon found myself writing more and more.
I only recently discovered the Medium Partner Program and what it offers.
I love being on Medium and leveraging your publications. It is a friendly platform and very supportive of new writers.
Do you write on other platforms such as Substack?
Yes, I write on Substack and Vocal Media. Once I have completed my MFA thesis, I will have more time to devote to writing articles across platforms.
What are your values as a writer?
I value honesty, and my passion is to help people through my words. Everything I write comes from the heart. I do not believe in using AI for my writing because my voice is what drives me to write.
How do you connect with your readers?
I answer every single comment on social media. I also comment on and support other writers whenever I can.
Why did you join ILLUMINATION, and how do you find it so far?
I was honored to be accepted as a writer for ILLUMINATION. I feel that true talent lives there, and I treasure reading ILLUMINATION stories every day.
My goal is to reach as many people as possible and help those who are struggling with trauma. ILLUMINATION has supported my writing wonderfully, and more people are beginning to read my work.
Which writers do you follow on ILLUMINATION?
Firstly, I follow you as an extraordinarily talented writer whose vision I deeply admire. You inspire me to write and are a wonderful teacher. Your articles are always insightful.
I also admire and follow Dr Mike Broadly, DHSc. His background in health science and experience make his writing especially meaningful to me.
In addition, I follow Annelise Lords and Dr Bronce Rice, among many other talented writers across ILLUMINATION and Medium.
What are the top stories you would like to share with your audience, and why?
I have written around 150 articles on Medium so far, most of them during the last five months. These are the pieces I feel have made the greatest impact on my readers:
- How to Explain Complex PTSD to Loved Ones
- A Search for Identity
- Dealing With Flashbacks
- Living With Trauma
- Everyday Triggers
- The Knock on the Door That Changed My World
What does success mean to you as a writer?
It means everything to me when people read my work and share what they thought, especially when my writing has changed their lives in some way.
I have received incredible feedback from other writers and trauma survivors, and that means more to me than anything else.
What advice would you give to new writers?
Keep writing and keep exploring. Most importantly, have fun with the craft.
What are your plans as a writer and professional?
After completing my MFA degree, my goal is to become a full-time writer so that I can help more people. Thank you, Mehmet, for this wonderful opportunity. Your support for many other writers and me is greatly appreciated. I look forward to contributing to your publications more.
Many thanks to Elizabeth Woods for allocating her precious time and giving us a glimpse of her world. Apart from the ILLUMINATION Slack Workspace, you can connect with Lizzy via the following platforms:
Substack: https://substack.com/@authorblogger
Twitter: @Elizabe69245484
Facebook: Elizabeth Woods
Instagram: @elizabeth.woods.survivor
Threads: @elizabeth.woods.survivor
Bluesky: @lizzywoods.bsky.social
Landing page: https://digitalmehmet.com/meet-elizabeth-woods/
Thank you for reading my interviews. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
This interview series is an excellent networking opportunity for new writers who want to build their audiences on multiple platforms.
The more successful people you meet and engage with, the more successful you can become, from my experience. The more you give without expecting, the more you receive, as my grandparents taught me.
Thank you for being part of our community and joining our joyful and exciting journey. You can review some sample interviews I conducted. Please consider reviewing their profiles and stories, sharing them in your network, and reaching out to them to expand your professional connections.
Links to Prior Interviews and Conversations
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