And we're back. Welcome, take a seat. I have another wonderful blogger for you to meet. Please, introduce yourself. What’s your name and where do you come from?
I’m Alison Williams and I live in Hampshire in the south of England.
An English rose, like me!
How long have you been blogging and what is the name of your blog?
I’ve been blogging since 2013 at
Alison Williams Writing
How do you fit all this reading into your life?
I absolutely love to read and always have. I work as a freelance editor so my day job also involves reading all day! I read whenever I get the chance - in the bath, waiting in the car when picking up the kids (well, they’re 20 and 17 so not really kids) from parties and friends’ houses, on occasional train journeys and when I’m on holiday. And I make sure that every single day I have at least twenty minutes of reading time before I go to bed (preferably accompanied by a nice glass of red wine!).
Sounds heavenly!
What keeps you blogging?
The response from other readers and writers - from anyone who finds something I’ve written interesting enough to take the time to comment. My blog is also the place where writers can find out about my editing services - so my blog is also part of my business. But it’s the interaction that really keeps me going. I posted a piece on my reaction to the death of David Bowie and the response I got was amazing - so many lovely comments and so many people telling me how they felt too. It was wonderful - very comforting. I think a blog that is about reading, writing, books, creativity of any kind really helps you to connect with like-minded people. And I do have friends that I’ve met through blogging that have become friends in ‘real’ life too.
What is your favourite genre?
That’s a very difficult one. I do love historical fiction - but of a particular type. I love Hilary Mantel, particularly ‘A Place of Greater Safety’. But I don’t have an absolute favourite genre - I just enjoy reading intelligent, well-written novels that have something to say, and that can keep me turning the page. I love to read a book that makes me think - I wish I’d written that.
Are you an e-reader or a paperback girl?
I was one of those people that resisted e-readers for ages, convinced that nothing could replace a ‘proper’ book. But my husband bought me a Kindle for my birthday about three years ago and I absolutely adore it. I mentioned that I read on holiday - I read A LOT on holiday and in the past my suitcase would be jam-packed with books. Now I’ll take one or two paperbacks and the Kindle. Much, much easier, and much less danger of exceeding the baggage allowance!
I'll say. I destroyed my back in my early twenties by lugging loads of books to and from university.
Who would you cast as the male lead for a romantic movie of your life? (artistic license expected!)
Oh gosh - I have so many candidates for this. Johnny Depp, Tom Hardy or Ryan Gosling? It’s got to be Johnny because I’ve adored him for so long! Any chance of all three? There’s absolutely no reason for any of these choices other than the fact that I fancy them all.
I’m Alison Williams and I live in Hampshire in the south of England.
An English rose, like me!
How long have you been blogging and what is the name of your blog?
I’ve been blogging since 2013 at
Alison Williams Writing
How do you fit all this reading into your life?
I absolutely love to read and always have. I work as a freelance editor so my day job also involves reading all day! I read whenever I get the chance - in the bath, waiting in the car when picking up the kids (well, they’re 20 and 17 so not really kids) from parties and friends’ houses, on occasional train journeys and when I’m on holiday. And I make sure that every single day I have at least twenty minutes of reading time before I go to bed (preferably accompanied by a nice glass of red wine!).
Sounds heavenly!
What keeps you blogging?
The response from other readers and writers - from anyone who finds something I’ve written interesting enough to take the time to comment. My blog is also the place where writers can find out about my editing services - so my blog is also part of my business. But it’s the interaction that really keeps me going. I posted a piece on my reaction to the death of David Bowie and the response I got was amazing - so many lovely comments and so many people telling me how they felt too. It was wonderful - very comforting. I think a blog that is about reading, writing, books, creativity of any kind really helps you to connect with like-minded people. And I do have friends that I’ve met through blogging that have become friends in ‘real’ life too.
What is your favourite genre?
That’s a very difficult one. I do love historical fiction - but of a particular type. I love Hilary Mantel, particularly ‘A Place of Greater Safety’. But I don’t have an absolute favourite genre - I just enjoy reading intelligent, well-written novels that have something to say, and that can keep me turning the page. I love to read a book that makes me think - I wish I’d written that.
Are you an e-reader or a paperback girl?
I was one of those people that resisted e-readers for ages, convinced that nothing could replace a ‘proper’ book. But my husband bought me a Kindle for my birthday about three years ago and I absolutely adore it. I mentioned that I read on holiday - I read A LOT on holiday and in the past my suitcase would be jam-packed with books. Now I’ll take one or two paperbacks and the Kindle. Much, much easier, and much less danger of exceeding the baggage allowance!
I'll say. I destroyed my back in my early twenties by lugging loads of books to and from university.
Who would you cast as the male lead for a romantic movie of your life? (artistic license expected!)
Oh gosh - I have so many candidates for this. Johnny Depp, Tom Hardy or Ryan Gosling? It’s got to be Johnny because I’ve adored him for so long! Any chance of all three? There’s absolutely no reason for any of these choices other than the fact that I fancy them all.
I won't fight you for your taste in men, fortunately, but I do know where you're coming from. I have a whole army on my computer. (Confessions of a romance novelist!) :-D
Do you have a favourite classic?
Without doubt ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Bronte. Just an absolute masterpiece. And so brilliant considering the life she had - where did all that passion come from? And I am in no way influenced by Tom Hardy playing Heathcliff in the TV series of the book (but I do advise everyone to watch it!).
Hey, I've watched many adaptations of that. How have I missed this one???
And finally, what are you reading at the moment?
I’m just finishing ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’ by Azar Nafisi. It’s a memoir about a university lecturer in Iran who secretly gathers a group of female students at her house every week to read and discuss forbidden western classics. It’s absolutely fabulous - these young girls, their freedoms slowly diminishing, find a space to speak freely about their experiences and be themselves and to express their feelings and frustrations at the limitations being placed upon their lives through the books they study. It’s a real testament to the power that reading can have. I’ve read Nafisi’s other memoir ‘Things I’ve Been Silent About’ and both give such an insight into a country and a world we have such preconceived ideas about. I highly recommend both books.
Thank you for answering all my questions, Alison, and I look forward to chatting on the ether!
You can find Alison on her blog, or reach her on social media:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alisonwilliamswriting
Twitter: @AlisonW_Editor
Do you have a favourite classic?
Without doubt ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Bronte. Just an absolute masterpiece. And so brilliant considering the life she had - where did all that passion come from? And I am in no way influenced by Tom Hardy playing Heathcliff in the TV series of the book (but I do advise everyone to watch it!).
Hey, I've watched many adaptations of that. How have I missed this one???
And finally, what are you reading at the moment?
I’m just finishing ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’ by Azar Nafisi. It’s a memoir about a university lecturer in Iran who secretly gathers a group of female students at her house every week to read and discuss forbidden western classics. It’s absolutely fabulous - these young girls, their freedoms slowly diminishing, find a space to speak freely about their experiences and be themselves and to express their feelings and frustrations at the limitations being placed upon their lives through the books they study. It’s a real testament to the power that reading can have. I’ve read Nafisi’s other memoir ‘Things I’ve Been Silent About’ and both give such an insight into a country and a world we have such preconceived ideas about. I highly recommend both books.
Thank you for answering all my questions, Alison, and I look forward to chatting on the ether!
You can find Alison on her blog, or reach her on social media:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alisonwilliamswriting
Twitter: @AlisonW_Editor
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