Ask the Author: Sheila Williams
Answered Questions (8)
Sheila Williams
THE SECRET WOMEN was inspired by the experience of balancing the grief at the loss of my mother and the STUFF: clearing out her condo, sorting through her treasures. I began to think of a story about found items without the context to decode them. Sort of like archaeology! Only closer to home!
Sheila Williams
Storytelling is in my DNA: I've always enjoyed listening to stories, making up my own stories and then sharing with others. It's part of who I am.
Sheila Williams
A historical novel.
And that's all I can say about that!
And that's all I can say about that!
Sheila Williams
Read, read, read. Especially poetry.
And write. Don't give up on your book/story/play/poem. Be tenacious. Keep going - as Margaret Atwood advises, don't sit down in the woods. If a section or paragraph doesn't work, figure out what's wrong and rework it. Don't be afraid to revise. A lot!
And write. Don't give up on your book/story/play/poem. Be tenacious. Keep going - as Margaret Atwood advises, don't sit down in the woods. If a section or paragraph doesn't work, figure out what's wrong and rework it. Don't be afraid to revise. A lot!
Sheila Williams
For myself, I don't think of writer's block. I do think that, at times, the writer gets tired (as with any job, profession, craft). And if you're tired, it means that "the well is dry".* So refill the well! Read (not your own work!), listen to music, walk, engage with friends (via Zoom or Facetime in these days of covid). Explore. And then return to the page.
*advice from a gifted writer and teacher Lynn Hightower
*advice from a gifted writer and teacher Lynn Hightower
Sheila Williams
What I remember: I was alone in the house and heard a noise in the basement like the sound of boxes toppling. I opened the door to check and someone something pushed me.
Sheila Williams
Hogwarts.
The Sorting Hat would probably put me in Hufflepuff.
The Sorting Hat would probably put me in Hufflepuff.
Sheila Williams
I like to call this my "NOW" list - spring to summer to fall:
There There by Tommy Orange
Standing at the Edge, Roshi Joan Halifax (amazing person)
Leonardo Da Vinci, Walter Isaacson
Go Tell It On The Mountain, James Baldwin (yes, again)
*there are too many to list and they have fallen into a heap in front of my bookcase.
There There by Tommy Orange
Standing at the Edge, Roshi Joan Halifax (amazing person)
Leonardo Da Vinci, Walter Isaacson
Go Tell It On The Mountain, James Baldwin (yes, again)
*there are too many to list and they have fallen into a heap in front of my bookcase.
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