Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am passionate about writing and illustrating. I have been creating poems and stories for over thirty years and have several projects on the go at once. My first book to be published was Knickerbocker Glory…a fusion of poetry designed to stir the senses. This will be followed by its poetry sequel: ‘Candy Stripes and Tall Giraffes.’ The book will be following a similar theme and I am thoroughly enjoying putting the finishing touches to it.
Moving away from poetry, I have published a children’s counting story: Annie’s Buttons. The paperback is coming soon, however the iBook is already on sale. I am developing a series of children’s stories at the moment. Watch out for the Annie and Tom series; two cute little characters who enjoy lots of fun together. This series is aimed at 3-7 year olds and I hope it will be adored and shared. I am currently researching vital ingredients for my children’s books by liaising with schools, parents and carers, because I want to make sure that my books are useful for learning as well as enjoyable and fun. I am loving this phase. If you could see my work shed….yes…I work in my garden shed…you would smile at the concoction before your eyes. I have paintings hung up for this page and that, snippets of rhyme sitting waiting to be vetted for entry into my poetry books, and several scraps of writing which I always go back to. I believe in fine tuning and I always test myself. Can I make it better? I try! Indeed, I love trying, as I say…I am passionate about this vocation.
Aside of the projects already mentioned, I am writing a novel. You will need to check in at my website from time to time to track this, as I am deliberating over its title right now. The story is about Amber, a young girl who is given a gadget as a gift, which takes her on adventures with her friends Josh and Katie. Aimed at the age group 8-13. Today’s project is a story for young children about a square sprout. He’s two things : he is magic, but above all, he is sending out the message that it is ok to be different. I am really enjoying creating the illustrations. He is so cute! I sincerely want my books to be loved and shared and I do hope that my readers stay with me as I grow thorough this exciting journey. The readership I have developed so far are wonderful people who are asking encouraging questions about all of my forthcoming books. I want you to know that this genuinely inspires me to write and draw and I thank you all for it, after all, my books are for you!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Candy stripes and Tall Giraffes.
The sequel to Knickerbocker Glory. I have had such lovely comments about my first book of poetry, that I simply had to write another one, the poetry to be included is currently being crafted from hundreds of snippets I have been writing over the years. I may be new to publishing, but I am not new to writing…and this is why I am taking my tine. What to include and what to leave out is worth toying with. I get a great deal of enjoyment from working this out, hope you enjoy the next book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmmm…..I must admit that yes….I do!
I am a bit of a butterfly when it comes to writing. Because I write poetry and stories, my style and mood changes frequently, so I might sit and write a chapter for my next novel, and then pen a poem. I may pause in between and add colour to an illustration for one of the pages in my next ‘Annie and Tom’ book.
I write with passion and flourish. I love it! It is no accident that my website is called writtenwithasmile.com….it is really important to me that my books make you smile.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Wow. Now that is a question! How long have you got?
I am inspired by so many authors. For my childrens books, I love Roald Dahl, Julia Donaldson Beatrix Potter.
I love light hearted reading by authors like Sophie Kinsella, but I also like to dive into a meaningful story and have just read two great books by Victoria Hislop; the Island, followed by The Return. Gripping reads.
Others include JKRowling, Dan Brown, Enid Bluton, Catherine Cookson, Eleanor Hibbert.
What are you working on now?
My poetry book ‘Candy Stripes and Tall Giraffes’ and also my Annie and Tom Books, plus my novel. As you can see…I am a butterfly! I work best when I can get down on paper what is sitting in my head. I consume myself in the moment, so sometimes the thought determines which project I am working on right now. One thing you can be sure of with me, is that I will never solely work one one thing at a time. My style is to multi task and is embrace the passion that this creates.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My web site is www.writtenwithasmile.com.
I am only just embarking on book promotion, so this is in its infancy following the launch of my first two books. Revisit later to see how I progress, but I am taking inspiration from others and I am real enough to appreciate that taking advice from those who have been there before is definitely with it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Oodles!
Please be yourself. Be comfortable with who you are and what you want to portray in your books. Passion flows best when this is so. Having your own style is what makes you unique.
Don’t worry if some days, nothing springs to mind. If this happens to me, I think about my latest best writing day and what inspired it, and this usually works.
Moving away from a piece that you think is perfect and then revisiting it is so worthwhile too. When I was fine tuning Knickerbockrr Glory, I changed the content five times before taking it to print.
Above all my advice is that writing shouldn’t be a chore. Enjoy it. Let it consume you positively, and you’ll grow.
Involve family and friends. Don’t shut them out…let them in. They will encourage and inspire you too, and it’s great to bounce ideas around. Accept their honest critique, because those who know and love you want the best for you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none : William Shakespeare
What are you reading now?
The Thread by Victoria Hislop
What’s next for you as a writer?
To grow.
I am embarking on an exciting journey and I feel privileged to be a published author. Onto the marketing platforms now, and hoping for recognition. Above all I want my books to be loved and embraced.
Oh…and of course, I will be in my shed…writing …painting…creating!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The island by Victoria Hislop
A Harry Potter book…any.
A dictionary because I love to examine new words and their meaning.
Any Roald Dahl book, because I love childhood memories.
The Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown
Author Websites and Profiles
Anita Williams Website
Anita Williams’s Social Media Links