Member Spotlight: Valerie B. Williams

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Writing keeps my mind active through the creative process. Writing helps me puzzle through not only plot problems but life problems as well. The written word is SO important for the world as a record/snapshot of any given time. This applies to fiction and non-fiction alike. Sadly, I’m afraid many people are losing the ability to concentrate on longer works in today’s world. The internet and short bursts of information or entertainment have become the norm. But I’m optimistic that there will always be a core group of readers who are willing to spend time in a fictional world that they decorate with their own imagination, instead of passively viewing what a filmmaker presents.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? The best thing I can do if blocked is walk away. Work on another project, take a literal walk, cook dinner–just get away from the blank screen. Forcing creativity has never worked for me, but my subconscious is working all the time. I wish it would work on my schedule, but part of the fun of writing is how it can surprise me.

What is your favorite time to write? I work best in the early afternoon, once the mundane chores are done. I prefer a good stretch of time (at least an hour) to accomplish much of anything. I envy those writers who can produce work in snippets of 10 or 15 minutes.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? You can’t edit a blank page. Get something down, no matter how messy. The editing process comes easier to me that the initial creation, but some of my most creative moments come while editing. I know that sounds strange, but it’s like writing to a prompt. Once I have something to fiddle with, it seems to unlock a door.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? I came to writing late in life. I didn’t think I was creative at all, until I gave it a try. So, even in the age of generative AI, I am thrilled to create stories that others will read and enjoy. My work will live on long after I’m gone.

Valerie B. Williams’s Penfold’s Menu of Magic and Malice: A Collection of Dark Tales is out now with Penny Books Publishing.