Gee Williams discusses the benefits of literary awards for a working writer
Gee Williams
Gee Williams is a British poet, short story writer, novelist and scriptwriter. Her first novel, Salvage, was published by Alcemi in 2007 and went on to be shortlisted for the Pure Gold Fiction Award and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. Most recently her short story collection, Blood Etc, was shortlisted for the Wales Book of the Year Award 2009.
What inspired you to become a writer?
It was something I always knew I’d do. I wrote stories in my head before I learned to write. Not so much inspired as compelled:
I suspect it has two things at its heart. One is the need for control, the other being comfortable with language as a tool.
How do you make the transition between writing poetry, short stories, novels and scripts?
I’m not much aware of a transition so I guess it takes place subconsciously. In all of them you’ll be slipping between forms and modes of usage anyway. The one thing I do notice is I can’t do poetry as an act of will.
Of these writing mediums, do you have a favourite?
No. Poetry gave me up for while but I didn’t stop wanting it back.
Short stories are close to poetry and hugely satisfying - when they work. I’m always trying to find ways of using the form that still interest me - that make me work for a different/better result.
Novels are… well, character-building in at least two senses.
What was your first short story about?
My first published short story was about the genetic engineering of a unicorn - twenty years ago this year. Someone came up to me at the book-launch for Salvage and said they’d remembered it ever since. That’s as good as it gets.
What made you decide to set the short stories of Blood Etc in Flintshire?
It’s my home although I live in England now. But it’s also a place of tensions as are all borders and that makes excellent copy! And it’s such an obscure part of Wales even, never mind Britain. I feel ownership.
Did you face much rejection initially?
Some, but enough positive stuff to help me over it. I didn’t place every poem or every story obviously, but I didn’t send anything out until I was in my mid-twenties.
My very first novella I sent to a publisher almost at random and an editor there really liked it and tried for the next three months to get her boss to take a chance on me. Although it’s still in the drawer, that response gave me what I needed.
Did you find an agent or a publisher first?
I found a publisher because much of my first collection had already been broadcast by BBC radio. But if I were starting again I’d look for an agent first.
The wonderful Laura Longrigg is my agent now. I was recommended to her by someone who liked my work.
How do you feel your writing awards and nominations have affected your writing?
Of course it strengthens self-belief because there are so many brilliant writers around.
At the James Tait Black awards one of the judges said ‘Among those who didn’t make the shortlist this year were Philip Roth, Don di Lillo…’
I mean, I wrote essays on Philip Roth! I can’t pretend to be cool about it. Finding myself at the Hay Festival this year for the Wales Book of the Year shortlist was dreamlike.
What do you find the most challenging aspects of writing?
Apart from my own natural laziness you mean? But there isn’t anything else. Once I can get myself to work, it’s still hard but doable. Before I start it’s impossible.
What do you enjoy most about the process?
Finishing - I mean finally having something to show for your efforts that you’re not ashamed of.
Whose writing do you admire?
With poetry it’s often individual poems I return to: Vivamus mea Lesbia, The Circus Animals’ Desertion, At Grass.
With prose it’s Ian McEwan, William Boyd - but they’re heavy-hitters.
For the delicate touch I’d go for Stevie Davies, Alice Munro. On bad days it’s everyone’s but my own.
What inspires you?
Getting a commission.
Where do you carry out the majority of your writing?
The corner of the dining room. A small, warm place - and no view. If I’m lucky my husband brings food in.
What has been the highlight of your writing career so far?
I guess the two big fiction shortlists - and Granta are bringing out a new edition of Salvage just about now. I’m pleased at it’s getting to a wider audience.
What advice would you offer an aspiring novelist?
I wouldn’t - I never had a plan, I never listened to advice (apart from my editor’s and sometimes not even then). Either you’ll learn by doing it or you won’t.
I’ve just thought of this: take regular trips off Planet Me.
What are you working on at the moment?
A novel (also for Granta) set in a decaying seaside resort into which a woman’s daughter has disappeared. The narrator chooses to observe - to stalk her really - rather than help her search. But the town itself might be the main player - at least that’s how it’s looking at the moment.
For more on Gee, visit www.geewilliams.info
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