Meet Billie Williams
I am delighted to bring Billie Williams to you today. She has been on an awesome blog tour during the month of January. She started off with our mutual good friend Joyce Anthony, and she is ending up here. If I had known how tough it was to find questions that none of the other people who hosted her at their blogs, I would have fought Joyce for the first day spot!
Billie has an awesome new poster designed by her cover artist and I am delighted to bring it to you here.
So now, without further ado, I bring to you...drum roll please...my very dear friend, the one, the only Billie A. Williams: Jill-of-all-trades, Mistress of many. (Not THAT KIND of Mistress! LOL!)
Janet Elaine Smith
Interview Questions
I have read several of the blog postings where you have told how you come up with your characters, but I want to know how you find the names for them. You have some of the most unique names. I love people like "Dusty Rhodes."
I usually begin my stories by searching for appropriate characters and the last thing I do when I get them fleshed out is decide on what name would fit them. With Dusty Rhodes though it was an accident – I wanted him named Dusty and the last name came because he was on the road, on vacation. So he became Dusty Rhodes. There is a family named Rhodes (several lines of them) in our town so I supposed I may have inadvertently borrowed their spelling for him.
Most times I try to match the name to the nationality, personality and cultural mores of my character. Who s/he is really. The strengths and weaknesses, the vulnerability, the flaws will suggest to me that this person should have a name picked from perhaps a Greek or Italian lineage, or some other unique bit of their make up. I have a book that I absolutely love for this name picking it is titled The Character Naming Source Book – from Writer’s Digest Books. It takes you from the various ethnic meanings for names and even imparts some degree of origin, if you will, for the name itself.
You say you are shy and introverted and it is hard for you to "sell yourself." What is the one thing that you have found that has helped you overcome that?
It is a constant struggle for me. With book in hand and someone who is interested in it, I can not be me for a few minutes. I can be an author, who knows about her book and her characters and her story-worth-telling.
A friend gave me a hint to try that can even work. (thank you Janet Elaine Smith) Become your character and speak out as though you were him/her. I believe that would be a good way for a shy person to get through the fear that being themselves turns into a sort of writer’s block, but in presentation sort of way.
Do you pattern your characters after people you know at all? If so, do you think they will recognize themselves and do you think they would be flattered or embarrassed?
I believe the characters in all writers books have come from a composite of the people whose paths have crossed theirs. It may not be a conscious adaptation, but it can’t help but become part of the fabric of your life. Of course, that would translate to your writing when you need a character who will act a certain way under certain circumstances.
In Small Town Secrets my January 2008 release I patterned the twins Taaktu and Twice Tewsday after a set of real life twins that just happen to be my Sisters-in-law. These two delightful women are as different as they are alike. Where one has certain strength the other might be lacking. They compliment each other like crumpets and tea. They were perfect for the characters I needed in this novel. Other characters in this book are composites of people who helped shape my life, who I remember for their presence—the way they affected my growing years and longer. I have always lived in small towns and you get to know the people through their being as close as family, at least many of them are.
I love your book Knapsack Secrets. I know it is being re-released. Will that be a part of your Small Town Secrets series?
Absolutely, Janet. My cover artist has even created a banner that will appear on the covers of all the books that tie into Small Town Secrets, technically the series will be The Secrets series. Knapsack Secrets is scheduled for re-release in May of 2008. I have just finished and submitted the third book Ancient Secrets that I hope will be accepted as part of this series too. I have a tentative start on another in this series as well. Secrets are such fun things to mess with. Everyone has one, and they wonder what is yours. What skeleton lurks in your closet.
Speaking of Knapsack Secrets, how long do we have to wait to find out about Audrey's next escapades, and yes, even those of Valentine? I think she was the favorite character I've read in the books of yours that I have read so far.
I have been pre-writing Valentine Azusa’s return to help Audrey and Zip out of a sticky situation – she will, of course return in a different guise but I will try to keep her the same loveable character that she was in Knapsack Secrets. I expect I will have her book done by next February in time for Valentine’s Day. And thank you for being a fan of her story.
You seem to have a bit of Native American lore, etc. in some of your books. Do you have any Native American blood running through your veins? If so, what tribe? If not, what causes that influence on your writing?
I do have a lot of reference to Native American Legend and Lore in my books. Their heritage is so rich and amazing. I do not, unfortunately have any Native American blood in my veins that I know about, however I did work as Program Assistant of The Native American Program at a community college for nearly ten years. The things I learned are ingrained in me as deeply as if I had been born into the culture. I learned from the Chippewa (Ojibwa) Pottawatomi, Navaho, Menominee, Cherokee, Brotherton, Apache and more. It was a fabulous learning experience. As I said the paths that cross your life influence it in many ways. I believe this was bound to come out in my writing. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for their traditions and ways.
You write both fiction and non-fiction books. Which do you prefer writing and why? And is it easier to market fiction or non-fiction?
Sticky wicket that. I love both at certain times.
If I get an idea for a non-fiction book it seems I write like the wind until it’s finished. With a novel I have characters tugging me this way and that, I have twists and turns and red herrings to deal with. I love the challenge, I love the involvement in a novel – but when I get in the zone with a non-fiction book like Spice up Your Writing! Write to Entice, one of my books on some fun ways to learn how to write where I use every day cooking spices as metaphors for some phase of writing— that to me is so much fun. I love sharing what I’ve learned and if I can do it in an entertaining way—-I’m in heaven.
In answer to your question, I love them both equally. I do think that the type of non-fiction I write is easier to promote, perhaps because I am focused on a certain area of the market. Where with fiction it’s really hard to define an audience — I mean yes mystery readers for most of my books, though not all…but what else – you know income level, or ethnic background, anything and everything. So very many things can influence a fiction reader from cover art to back cover blurb and perhaps even the hook in the first paragraph.
You did a fantastic job of writing the script for my book A Christmas Dream. Was that your first attempt at playwriting? What made you brave enough to tackle it? And how long until you finish my next book you are scripting, My Dear Phebe? Hey, if I don't needle you, who will? LOL!
Thank you for your kind words. Writing the script for A Christmas Dream was a dream because the book was a delight by itself and it seemed to lend itself readily to script format. This was my first real attempt at writing a 3-act play. I had been toying with adapting one of my novels for a screen play – which is totally different then a Stage play in many respects, but the classes and books I accumulated while doing that gave me the idea that maybe I could – so when you mentioned you would love to see it as a play – I thought why not? I’ve done most everything in my life that way. If I want to bad enough, I usually can do something. I had a great book, a staunch supporter and some education in the field – so as they say “the rest is history”.
My Dear Phebe got interrupted by some of my own books hitting the publishing queue edits, cover art decisions, more edits etc. So I needed to divert some attention there. I expect I will get Phebe on the page before the summer Civil War reenactments begin to take place. (cross your fingers) – I have books coming out January, February, April and May and you know that means promotion, marketing, promotion and lots of time with edits and all the other “business side” of writing and publishing.
What is the hardest part of writing for you, and what is the easiest?
The hardest part of writing is ‘Ribe Tuchus’ planting my butt in the chair and writing and let house work, snow shoveling, gardening, grocery shopping and all that mundane day to day stuff just slide away so I can write. Then comes the submitting – if someone would do that part for me, I’d be happy. {grin}
The easiest part is the writing, the playing with the thoughts and seeing where they take me.
If you could give us all some advice that would make this path as a writer either easier or more fun, what would it be?
Do what you love, write what you dream of. If you don’t know something and you want to write about it – roll up your sleeves and find out. Take classes, read books, talk to experts, ask for help. You will find it if you reach out.
Write like the wind – warm and balmy on a summer day, blustery when it needs to be, chilly, icy cold like a ‘nor’ Westerner when the story calls for it. Let the words that want to be written flow from your pen while you spill them onto the page –worry about grammar, proper form and substance later when you get all those beautiful words on the page.
Have fun with it. If you write with a playful heart your reader will have a wonderful experience reading your work. It doesn’t need to be comedy to write this way – it can even be horror – but if you put your emotional self in your work, share your love for the genre you are writing it will come out in your work and it will be fun, it will be a joy to sit in the chair day after day and write. Even if the bills, the laundry, the grocery list and the lawn need attending – or should I say in spite of all the daily chores that niggle at your mind – push them and the editor on your shoulder away, tell them to wait outside for you until you get your writing done. Thank you so much for stopping by. You are welcome at "my house" any time. You have become one of my dearest friends, and I wish you the best with your books. I love your new signature line--that you are looking for the $100,000 income this year! Go get it, Tiger!
Thank you Janet it was a real pleasure to try to answer your thought provoking questions. I want to thank you for sharing your blog space you’re your readers with me. And thank you for your kind words and support.
Some one told me once if you can see it (conceive it), and believe it, you can achieve it. That is why my signature line says I will generate $100,000 in revenue in 2008. If one person has done it before – so can I! If no one has done it before, then I could be the first – what a great Star to shoot for. {smile}
Billie
Janet Elaine Smith
Interview Questions
I have read several of the blog postings where you have told how you come up with your characters, but I want to know how you find the names for them. You have some of the most unique names. I love people like "Dusty Rhodes."
I usually begin my stories by searching for appropriate characters and the last thing I do when I get them fleshed out is decide on what name would fit them. With Dusty Rhodes though it was an accident – I wanted him named Dusty and the last name came because he was on the road, on vacation. So he became Dusty Rhodes. There is a family named Rhodes (several lines of them) in our town so I supposed I may have inadvertently borrowed their spelling for him.
Most times I try to match the name to the nationality, personality and cultural mores of my character. Who s/he is really. The strengths and weaknesses, the vulnerability, the flaws will suggest to me that this person should have a name picked from perhaps a Greek or Italian lineage, or some other unique bit of their make up. I have a book that I absolutely love for this name picking it is titled The Character Naming Source Book – from Writer’s Digest Books. It takes you from the various ethnic meanings for names and even imparts some degree of origin, if you will, for the name itself.
You say you are shy and introverted and it is hard for you to "sell yourself." What is the one thing that you have found that has helped you overcome that?
It is a constant struggle for me. With book in hand and someone who is interested in it, I can not be me for a few minutes. I can be an author, who knows about her book and her characters and her story-worth-telling.
A friend gave me a hint to try that can even work. (thank you Janet Elaine Smith) Become your character and speak out as though you were him/her. I believe that would be a good way for a shy person to get through the fear that being themselves turns into a sort of writer’s block, but in presentation sort of way.
Do you pattern your characters after people you know at all? If so, do you think they will recognize themselves and do you think they would be flattered or embarrassed?
I believe the characters in all writers books have come from a composite of the people whose paths have crossed theirs. It may not be a conscious adaptation, but it can’t help but become part of the fabric of your life. Of course, that would translate to your writing when you need a character who will act a certain way under certain circumstances.
In Small Town Secrets my January 2008 release I patterned the twins Taaktu and Twice Tewsday after a set of real life twins that just happen to be my Sisters-in-law. These two delightful women are as different as they are alike. Where one has certain strength the other might be lacking. They compliment each other like crumpets and tea. They were perfect for the characters I needed in this novel. Other characters in this book are composites of people who helped shape my life, who I remember for their presence—the way they affected my growing years and longer. I have always lived in small towns and you get to know the people through their being as close as family, at least many of them are.
I love your book Knapsack Secrets. I know it is being re-released. Will that be a part of your Small Town Secrets series?
Absolutely, Janet. My cover artist has even created a banner that will appear on the covers of all the books that tie into Small Town Secrets, technically the series will be The Secrets series. Knapsack Secrets is scheduled for re-release in May of 2008. I have just finished and submitted the third book Ancient Secrets that I hope will be accepted as part of this series too. I have a tentative start on another in this series as well. Secrets are such fun things to mess with. Everyone has one, and they wonder what is yours. What skeleton lurks in your closet.
Speaking of Knapsack Secrets, how long do we have to wait to find out about Audrey's next escapades, and yes, even those of Valentine? I think she was the favorite character I've read in the books of yours that I have read so far.
I have been pre-writing Valentine Azusa’s return to help Audrey and Zip out of a sticky situation – she will, of course return in a different guise but I will try to keep her the same loveable character that she was in Knapsack Secrets. I expect I will have her book done by next February in time for Valentine’s Day. And thank you for being a fan of her story.
You seem to have a bit of Native American lore, etc. in some of your books. Do you have any Native American blood running through your veins? If so, what tribe? If not, what causes that influence on your writing?
I do have a lot of reference to Native American Legend and Lore in my books. Their heritage is so rich and amazing. I do not, unfortunately have any Native American blood in my veins that I know about, however I did work as Program Assistant of The Native American Program at a community college for nearly ten years. The things I learned are ingrained in me as deeply as if I had been born into the culture. I learned from the Chippewa (Ojibwa) Pottawatomi, Navaho, Menominee, Cherokee, Brotherton, Apache and more. It was a fabulous learning experience. As I said the paths that cross your life influence it in many ways. I believe this was bound to come out in my writing. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for their traditions and ways.
You write both fiction and non-fiction books. Which do you prefer writing and why? And is it easier to market fiction or non-fiction?
Sticky wicket that. I love both at certain times.
If I get an idea for a non-fiction book it seems I write like the wind until it’s finished. With a novel I have characters tugging me this way and that, I have twists and turns and red herrings to deal with. I love the challenge, I love the involvement in a novel – but when I get in the zone with a non-fiction book like Spice up Your Writing! Write to Entice, one of my books on some fun ways to learn how to write where I use every day cooking spices as metaphors for some phase of writing— that to me is so much fun. I love sharing what I’ve learned and if I can do it in an entertaining way—-I’m in heaven.
In answer to your question, I love them both equally. I do think that the type of non-fiction I write is easier to promote, perhaps because I am focused on a certain area of the market. Where with fiction it’s really hard to define an audience — I mean yes mystery readers for most of my books, though not all…but what else – you know income level, or ethnic background, anything and everything. So very many things can influence a fiction reader from cover art to back cover blurb and perhaps even the hook in the first paragraph.
You did a fantastic job of writing the script for my book A Christmas Dream. Was that your first attempt at playwriting? What made you brave enough to tackle it? And how long until you finish my next book you are scripting, My Dear Phebe? Hey, if I don't needle you, who will? LOL!
Thank you for your kind words. Writing the script for A Christmas Dream was a dream because the book was a delight by itself and it seemed to lend itself readily to script format. This was my first real attempt at writing a 3-act play. I had been toying with adapting one of my novels for a screen play – which is totally different then a Stage play in many respects, but the classes and books I accumulated while doing that gave me the idea that maybe I could – so when you mentioned you would love to see it as a play – I thought why not? I’ve done most everything in my life that way. If I want to bad enough, I usually can do something. I had a great book, a staunch supporter and some education in the field – so as they say “the rest is history”.
My Dear Phebe got interrupted by some of my own books hitting the publishing queue edits, cover art decisions, more edits etc. So I needed to divert some attention there. I expect I will get Phebe on the page before the summer Civil War reenactments begin to take place. (cross your fingers) – I have books coming out January, February, April and May and you know that means promotion, marketing, promotion and lots of time with edits and all the other “business side” of writing and publishing.
What is the hardest part of writing for you, and what is the easiest?
The hardest part of writing is ‘Ribe Tuchus’ planting my butt in the chair and writing and let house work, snow shoveling, gardening, grocery shopping and all that mundane day to day stuff just slide away so I can write. Then comes the submitting – if someone would do that part for me, I’d be happy. {grin}
The easiest part is the writing, the playing with the thoughts and seeing where they take me.
If you could give us all some advice that would make this path as a writer either easier or more fun, what would it be?
Do what you love, write what you dream of. If you don’t know something and you want to write about it – roll up your sleeves and find out. Take classes, read books, talk to experts, ask for help. You will find it if you reach out.
Write like the wind – warm and balmy on a summer day, blustery when it needs to be, chilly, icy cold like a ‘nor’ Westerner when the story calls for it. Let the words that want to be written flow from your pen while you spill them onto the page –worry about grammar, proper form and substance later when you get all those beautiful words on the page.
Have fun with it. If you write with a playful heart your reader will have a wonderful experience reading your work. It doesn’t need to be comedy to write this way – it can even be horror – but if you put your emotional self in your work, share your love for the genre you are writing it will come out in your work and it will be fun, it will be a joy to sit in the chair day after day and write. Even if the bills, the laundry, the grocery list and the lawn need attending – or should I say in spite of all the daily chores that niggle at your mind – push them and the editor on your shoulder away, tell them to wait outside for you until you get your writing done. Thank you so much for stopping by. You are welcome at "my house" any time. You have become one of my dearest friends, and I wish you the best with your books. I love your new signature line--that you are looking for the $100,000 income this year! Go get it, Tiger!
Thank you Janet it was a real pleasure to try to answer your thought provoking questions. I want to thank you for sharing your blog space you’re your readers with me. And thank you for your kind words and support.
Some one told me once if you can see it (conceive it), and believe it, you can achieve it. That is why my signature line says I will generate $100,000 in revenue in 2008. If one person has done it before – so can I! If no one has done it before, then I could be the first – what a great Star to shoot for. {smile}
Billie
10 Comments:
At 9:26 AM, Anonymous said…
I did it!! I'm the first one here, (I think). Anyway, We have two of my three favorite writers here (Joyce is off studying, as it were).
This is another fantastic interview Billie. Good luck with the secrets and keep rooting in those closets. You expose the best of secrets.
Ron
At 10:02 AM, Unknown said…
Well, the early bird is at it again! Thanks Ron appreciate your support and your kind words.
Billie
At 10:18 AM, Elena Dorothy Bowman said…
Wonderful interview Billie! I really enjoyed it. I love your enthusiam. I'm pulling for you to reach your goal. Best wishes always,
Elena
At 10:33 AM, Cat Muldoon said…
Billie - I took a blog tour last month, and you might like to do what I did with all my interviews and reviews:
I made a master word doc and also a PDF that I can show to anyone who wants to see it. It has all the reviews and interviews and the permalinks for them too, plus an excerpt.
Great and insightful answers as always - and Janet, I can relate to how difficult it is to come up with unique questions.
Cat
At 11:38 AM, Joyce Anthony said…
"Write like the wind..." --I LOVE that line, Billie. You can feel the connection between the two of you on this interview--it sparkles!! Great job, Ladies!! This was the perfect interview to end the tour :-)
Joyce
At 1:37 PM, Veldane said…
Only read Skull Music by Billie so far, good interview from Janet. Been so busy, but keep up the good work Billie! =)
At 3:34 PM, Unknown said…
Thanks Elena, cat, Joyce and Bradley appreciate your kind comments.
Cat I already did that with all the interviews - I put it in PDF form in my media kit too and every host or hostess will get a PDF copy for their use. Great Minds think alike = )
Thank you all for posting and if I can find an email addy for you I'll send you your cook book post haste.
Billie
At 6:04 PM, Anonymous said…
Janet, I enjoyed reading your questions and Billie, great answers as usual! Looking forward to the Secrets series. Keep on writing!
I hope you both make $100 000 each this year!
Linda
At 6:44 PM, Anonymous said…
The questions were good, Janet, and thought provoking. I am going to follow your advice Billie about writing with joy. Knowing my subject and put b... in chair.
Thank you
Cora
At 8:33 PM, Anonymous said…
this is a fabtastuic interview. Been running in cyberspace and at times been hectic last few days..butthis was well worth reading.. Glad tio visit, Iknew Ron would get here first,,,
babs
hopeingtoi surprise all in Spring.. great job Billie and Janet..
Post a Comment
<< Home