Seek the Song: Must Read Author C.M. Williams

Back in 6th grade, I remember a girl saying to me that I needed to enjoy books more. I had at the time been part of a school book group, and I was the only one in the group giving a more negative review. It was not that I did not like the book, it was simply I did not feel the genre and age group it was put in was proper.
                For me however this started an ongoing trend, I am hard on books: and even harder on Fantasy. In fact, I could count on two hands how many fantasy novels (or series) I have gotten excited over, that I could not help telling people to read. There are even fewer books that I could not stop thinking and talking about. Many of these authors are top of the class writers: Robert Jordan, J.R.R. Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson, Trudi Canavan… and C.M. Williams?
                     I have to be 100% honest here; I have been waiting a long time to write this post. And I am that excited about Williams as an up and coming author that she is in my top writers. You may not have heard of her, but I have, to be honest, C.M. Williams, is a writer that I wish I had more of her stuff, and I want others to read her work.
                Her short story (8,000 words) is tilted Shadowsong, and it is one of the best fantasy I have read in a long time. In fact, reading it made me think three things: 1) I have to step up my game as a writer, 2) I can’t wait to read more of her stuff, 3) dude I want to write a book with her! I expressed as much to my wife (who also found this book extraordinary!) And so, I would like to take a share with you all in brief what makes this story so compelling, and why I think that all of us should keep a look out for C.M. Williams.

Shadowsong
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                Her short story does something that very few authors can pull off well; she starts right in the thick of the plot and conflict. It is tough to have the world you created, (full of magic abilities, developed characters, and past event) compel and capture readers right off. Many authors have to spend several pages, even chapters explaining past relationships, culture, and introducing the main quest. C.M., however, does this all in a few paragraphs. More than that, from start to finish it is action packed and suspenseful. It took myself 20 min to read, and my wife read it even faster. There is no point in which you want to put the book down.  It is like you walked into the favorite part of your book, only you didn’t have to read 100 pages to get there. The fact that she has command over the ebb and flow, and can capture the reader speaks of superior writing skills. 
               The second thing that stood out to me was the use of Religion. Without it being crammed down your throat, a clear moral and religious code is established. Mythos in a story, especially Fantasy is pivotal. However, it is too easy to start to place your theology, and views into characters, moving it from fantasy to preaching. I am a Christian, but overall I do not enjoy Christian Fantasy. The reason being is it is just too… churchy. It suspends the disbelief of the world your trying to create. The use of Religion in Shadowsong is not pushy. However, it is very similar to how it is used and seen in Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings. That is to say, something that is full developed, and genuinely a part of the world, but not pushy in “you have to believe this.” I found it to be one of the many ways that I could connect better with the world. And again, in only 8,000 words.
                You would think with a short story that many of the characters would be lacking in some way, more 2d than 3d. Williams has again displayed her unique gift in writing to use the best words. In Shadowsong you encounter 4 or 5 characters, and I would say only one to me seemed 2d.  Through the use of flashback and dialog, everyone else is setup and fleshed out. Even the magical system is consistent. It is clear that she has taken the time to think and plot out everything that happens, and that kind of love and devotion to the craft and the story is always seen through the work.
                I will end my short section on the book, by saying this: Shadowsong is everything you want in a book in a few pages.

Watch out for this Girl

                I would like to take a moment now to talk about C.M. Williams and why I feel she is an author we should be watching for. It is obvious by now, but I will type it anyway, she is a gifted writer. But more than that I am interested in the works she currently has in progress.
When I first dialogue with her, that is asked to read her book, it was from a Christian group, and she was looking for reviews. When I visited her website, I was surprised to find her current projects at not the stereotypical Christian books, but steampunk twist on retelling fairy tales.
                I think that need a whole paragraph to itself: Steampunk retelling of Fairy Tales.
                Mind blown! C.M. Williams is my competitor. Even as I just read the titles of her current projects, I thought, "I need to step up my game." Granted I have never considered steampunk fairy tales, but she has. And it is that fresh look on fairy tales that we know and love that makes excited to read her work.  She has already to me demonstrated a gift for the craft of writing, a lot of people can write, but few have fresh ideas. I see fresh ideas in C.M. Williams, ideas that are carefully crafted, and executed with skill.
                So, this is why my first Review is on C.M. Williams. She is going to bring something new and fresh to the fairy tale universe. A good story can change a person, give them a new perspective on life, or fill their head with thoughts of hope, and playfulness. My hope is that in her upcoming works we see just that. While she may at this time be my competitor, her story is one that is compelling. I have said this to my wife and others, but I cannot wait to read more from C.M. Williams, and I feel that for fantasy lovers out there, that you too will feel the same way.
                Keep an eye out for her because this she is going to bring some great things to the genre. Below and links if you would like to read and connect more with C.M. Williams.
 
Website: https://authorcmwilliams.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15578756.C_M_Williams