Interview with A.L.Williams

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Interview with A.L.Williams

A.L. Williams

Can you tell us more about yourself?

      I am a black gay trans man from Southern Arizona. I currently live with my lazy cat and my aging mother. I love art, books (obviously), and a cup of coffee on a rainy day. I am a survivor who struggles with mental illness and I spend my time working towards growing as a human being. I only say that because that’s the heart of my.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

            I read and spend time with my closest friends. I do write majority of my time, so the times I’m away are rare. I’m also a graphic designer so that also spend a lot time doing that.

What inspired you to start writing?

      Honestly an author named Sarra Cannon. I was watching so of her YouTube videos and I decided ‘you know what I can do this.’ I don’t know why I didn’t before. Probably self doubt. It ruled a lot of my youth.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing the winter of 2018. I did write a little back in high school as well as a small period where I wrote Shadow hunter fanfic.

How do you handle writer’s block?

      I don’t have writers block. When I have a down swing, because I am bipolar I read until it passes.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

      The minute I started writing.

How do you do research for your books?

      A lot googling creditable sources and people who have the background I’m writing about if it’s outside of mine. For instance, my third book Shameful Scars features a asexual main character so I reached out to my ace friends as well as googling.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

      I spend from 6am-5pm writing, even later if I wake up late.

What was your favorite part, and your least favorite part, of the publishing journey?

My favorite part is the positive reactions from my readers. I write for myself first and foremost, but it feels good when people relate with my work. My least favorite is networking and marketing. I am not the best at person to person interaction because I’m pretty harsh and direct. The industry, like any other, doesn’t mesh with my personality well.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

     Currently I have 4 books published, but I have several others in various stages of complete.

      My favorite is usually my currently published, but as of right now my Alice in Wonderland MM retelling, which is currently waiting for self-edits, is my favorite.

What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your books?

      That I have the gift of telling a story that comes naturally. Too naturally sometimes.

Who is your favorite character?

          I have a lot, but I’d say Rashawn from Enough. He is one of my most complex characters and he isn’t who you’d think at first sight.

Tell us about your first published book? What was the journey like?

Enough is my favorite and the journey was interesting. It starts as a jab at a series I hate and cease something far more complex. The character carried me through this story hardcore. I didn’t know what was going to happen until it did. Some of the events of their backstory were a surprises me.

Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

      Rashawn has a complicated and heart breaking past with his mother and sister.

Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

      Lucifer from, Hopeless Scars does. He represents an event in my life that destroyed me and his story of mistakes made and finding redemption is close to my heart. The original story of Lucifer has always been with me and is a good example of the damage one can cause because of their perception and emotions towards others.

Tell us about the process for coming up with the cover.

      I can’t really tell you, because I am an. Initiative artist. When it comes to creating anything I go with my instincts, unless it’s client covers.

What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book?

          Researching how law works with an even in the book. The legal system is complicated.

What was the highlight of writing this book?

          The exploration of the character’s relationship.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

     I’m currently working on Transformed Scars the 5th book of my Skas series. It features a half Chinese trans woman and a half Korean cis man with a lingerie kink. 

Where do you draw inspiration from?

          My life, Books I read, music, etc. I can get inspiration from a rock if it allows. Lol

Who is your favorite author and why?

          I don’t have a specific author. I have two. Laurels K Hamilton and Stephen King. Both authors know how to get to the heart of their characters. They don’t shy away from making some aspects the character unlikeable. They don’t just throw Mary Sue in there and say done. They dissect the whys and how’s of each indignity. It might be my love of psychology, but humans aren’t simple and we don’t make decisions lightly, even if it’s all subconscious.

What are you reading now?

     I’m currently reading Red Dragon my Thomas Harris. I love Hannibal because of his intelligence and how sick he is. The psychology of that man is deep and the fact that he is self aware makes him even more dangerous. I also happen to relate with the mad man far more than is comfortable at times—out side of the eating people anyway lmao.

What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

     Stephen King, Nicky James, Laurels K Hamilton, Kaje Haper,  N.K. Jemisin, Octavie Butler, Cathyrinne M Valente, R. Phoenix, Cassandra Clare, Anne Rice, Anne Bishop, and Meraki P. Dark

Who is the author you most admire in your genre?

          Nicky James and Meraki p Dark. I chose two because tI admin them for different reasons. Nicky’s characters are real and true to the positive side of the human condition and Merkai’s are true to the darker side. They are like two sides of the dame coin when representing people.

Favorite quote

This is from my current WIP:

I shook off the voice, that sounded too much like Robert, and we left the complex as the sun won its game of hide and seek. 

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Alan Wild
Alan Wild
Alan Wild writes LGBTQ romantic mysteries. His passion for writing began when he was a young boy. Writing provided an escape from reality. He draws inspiration for his stories from the people and places around him. Besides his passion for writing, he is a skilled portrait and studio photographer. A native of Colorado, he is surrounded by beauty people from all walks of life and majestic landscapes. An avid reader of mysteries and romances, the onetime call center manager said goodbye to the corporate world to pursue his passions and publish the stories that have swum around in his head for decades. When Alan isn’t writing, reading, taking photos or exploring his beloved home state, he can be found surrounded by the people he loves the most, his husband, children, two dogs, a grumpy Macaw, and a tank full of goldfish in his Denver, Colorado home. For more information about him, visit his website here: www.AlanWild.us

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