Fiona Williams: On the Camaraderie Between Writers

Fiona Williams holds a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from the University of Westminster and an MA with Distinction in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. Originally from South-East London, she now lives with her family on the Somerset Levels, and much of her work focuses on rural diversity and the relationships between identity and place. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

Fiona Williams

Photo by Joseph Williams

In this interview, Fiona discusses how observing everyday rural life helped inspire her literary novel, The House of Broken Bricks, her hope for readers, and more!

Name: Fiona Williams
Literary agent: Karolina Sutton (CAA)
Book title: The House of Broken Bricks
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release date: April 2024
Genre/category: Literary Fiction
Elevator pitch: This is the story of a broken family, what they see and what they cannot say laid bare in their overlapping perspectives. It is a tale of life in the cracks, because in the space for acceptance, of passing and of laying to rest, the possibilities of new energy, light, and love are seeded.

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What prompted you to write this book?

I was prompted to write this story after moving to a small village on the Somerset Levels. I had always dreamed of living in the countryside and couldn’t help but be inspired by the complex reality of everyday life in a rural community. I wanted to explore ideas around identity and belonging, as well as celebrate the beauty of the local wildlife and landscape.

How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?

I began playing around with the story idea back in 2017 but didn’t get very far as family life, work, and worries about my ability to write a novel kept getting in the way. It wasn’t until I started a master’s degree in creative writing and gave myself permission to take my writing seriously that I finally made progress. In the end, it took five years to complete my draft manuscript. The original idea for the story did not change dramatically during this time, but the overall structure did evolve significantly as I became more attuned to the characters and their individual voices and experiences.

Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?

Winning the 2021 Bridport Prize, Peggy Chapman-Andrews First Novel Award was a huge surprise. I’d never won anything in my life and to win such a prestigious writing award was an overwhelming shock. Winning opened doors I didn’t even know existed, and propelled me along the publishing pathway at such speed that it was difficult to process at times. Since then, I’ve learned that it’s very important not to compare your writing and publishing experience with others, especially as a debut novelist when it’s easy to be overpowered by imposter syndrome. I’ve also learned about warm camaraderie that exists between writers and how fortunate I am to be included in this community.

Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?

I think the biggest surprise with the writing came when I finished the book. At the start, I really didn’t think I’d make it to the end as I had no idea about the commitment and effort it takes to complete a novel. This is the first novel I’ve ever written, so the whole process was new and extremely terrifying at times, but I surprised myself. It turned out I loved getting to know my characters and there were wonderful moments when the writing came without any effort, which was very exhilarating and freeing.

What do you hope readers will get out of your book?

I hope it will give them a glimpse into a different world and greater understanding of the complexities of human emotions. I also hope they will feel a sense of wonder about the magical and healing qualities of nature and landscape.

If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?

To keep going, no matter how daunting it feels!

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