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Ask the Author: Gareth Williams

“I’m always happy to answer questions about my new book.” Gareth Williams

Answered Questions (7)

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I am writing my first novel, historical fiction set during World War II in the Pacific. I hope to have it published this summer. I'm a high school history teacher online in California. What did you teach before retiring?
Gareth Williams Hi Christa, good luck with your book. I taught history - no real surprise! In fact, I did teach quite a lot about the subjects in my books, which certainly gave me a place to start.
On the other hand, all high school history teachers have had to pick up new topics, and I do enjoy the research phase of a new book.
I am currently writing a fictional biography of William Augustus Bowles who was born in Maryland but died as a prisoner of the Spanish in Havana, Cuba. 132000 words and rising!
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How do you deal with writer’s block?
Gareth Williams I do something else. Climb a mountain or get out on my bicycle - both easy to do as I live on the Isle of Skye. Usually, I come back with an idea.
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What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Gareth Williams I love the process. If I’m honest, I write for myself and then try to persuade other people to read what I have written!
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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
Gareth Williams Think and plan before you write. I used to jump in because I had so little time to spare. It never led to a happy result. Needing Napoleon was at least a year in the planning phase. As a consequence, I wrote the whole thing in 3 months!
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What are you currently working on?
Gareth Williams Well, that would be telling! Suffice to say, I have discovered a character born in Maryland in the 1760’s whose life is crying out to become a work of historical fiction.
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How do you get inspired to write?
Gareth Williams Usually by encountering a fascinating historical figure and thinking of a new way to approach their story.
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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
Gareth Williams I have been thinking about Napoleon and the battle of Waterloo for years. After all, I was a history teacher for a long time! I also love time travel books. It just seemed perfect to bring my two enthusiasms together!
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