Carrie Jade Williams Bio:
Carrie-Jade Williams started writing 6 months ago and is loving this new hobby that has snowballed into an obsession! She started with a course with The Novelry. Since then she has been the Finalist in the London Independent Story Prize, selected by the Irish Writers Centre for their Residency program and longlisted/shortlisted for a few others. She has enjoyed completing courses with the Blue Pencil Agency, practicing Flash Fiction with Jude Higgins, and writing articles published in Women Alive, The Leisure Painter and others.
If you haven't done so already, check out Carrie's moving story Shining Armour and then return here for a chat with the author.
WOW: This is such an unexpected year and your essay really resonates with me - Thank you for writing this piece - what is the take-away you'd like readers to gain from Shining Armour?
Carrie: I think the
number one thing I would love readers to take away from my work is that life
rarely goes as we intend, but even in the darkest moments there are blessing.
The only guarantee we have is this moment, so embrace it. Be kind to yourself
and others. Love. And stay true to what motivates you.
Now my mantra for writing is different.
1. Write what you have to say for the reader. IT will find a home somewhere.
2. Novels are not the place for stories about ex-boyfriends- put those in personal essays and check you’d want your Mother reading them before you send them out because they might be accepted.
3.
Surround yourself with writers who LOVE to write- even if it’s online during
Covid.
WOW: All fabulous mantras - thank you thank you thank you!
What’s next for you?
What are your writing goals for 2021 and beyond?
Carrie: My writing goal
for 2021 is to see if there are any Literary Agents interested in working with
me. I’m currently plotting out a second novel and have been asked to consider
writing about the realities of being in my 30’s living with a Neurological
Illness and the impact misdiagnosis has on my ability to accept my diagnosis.
To date I simply write
whatever I love. Writing with a Degenerative Illness is challenging- I
regularly forget words and have to use Assistive Technology as I struggle to
type anymore so I have to absolutely fall in love or have a sense of urgency
about what I write.
I’d love to work on a project
that puts a spotlight on removing accessibility barriers too.
WOW: Your writing is very wise - as a wiser writer now, do you have advice
for your younger self when it comes to making decisions, believing in yourself,
and/or writing? What would your current self say to the younger you?
Carrie: As someone living with
a Degenerative Illness if I could go back to my younger self I would simply say
“Don’t put things off- do everything you love now.” Unfortunately, I think I
made the mistake a lot of people do and think that I will do things later,
after next year, when I retire.
One of the blessings of
being diagnosed with a life limiting illness is that I’ve prioritized things. I
wrote a Bucket List and am working my way through it. Writing was one of the
things on my Bucket List and since then so many amazing opportunities have
opened up. I’ve been blessed to meet some awesome writers and learn more about
the Arts World.
My hope for others is
that they can find that sense of freedom in life without a Terminal diagnosis.
WOW: Thank you for these inspiring words; great conversation with a younger you and with the rest of us!
Do you often enter contests or is this a first? What would you like to tell other authors concerning contests and submitting their work?
Carrie: This was
one of the first contests I’d entered. Essentially, I get really bad Imposter
Syndrome as a writer as I’ve no training, so I decided to try and get 100
rejections in the year (I’ve only been writing for 6 months) and out of those
rejections I’ve had a number of acceptances which is mind blowing.
Jude
Higgins runs a great Flash Fiction workshop every Tuesday over zoom and Alison
Powell who runs a WriteClub group which I have learnt a lot from. Both of these
groups help me plant the seeds of stories and essays that I then submit into
the world.
Personally,
I never take rejection personally, but would love there to be a more
compassionate conversation around rejection and the Arts. If my story can prove
anything it’s this- if you are writing share your work, I have no training, a
broken brain and am pretty useless at editing but the world wants to hear our
stories. Share!
WOW: Great suggestion - feedback is helpful and compassionate feedback is worth embracing!
Who is your
favorite author and why?
Carrie: At the
moment I am reading This Happy by Niamh Campbell. Not only is this a brilliant
novel but she is a beautiful soul. I was blessed to spend time learning from
her at a recent retreat and she shared some great advice.
As a writer
I’ve also been really lucky to have other writers share their knowledge including
Louise Dean, Katie Khan, Emylia Hall (everyone at The Novelry) and will always
be grateful for their commitment to nurturing new writers. So, if you’d asked
me 6 months ago my favorite I would have answered differently- whereas now I
want to support Authors who take the time to share the craft, who write from
their heart and who have made space for someone like me at the table in a world
that would otherwise be closed off.
WOW: Such excellent thoughts Carrie - I'm so glad we had this time together today!
4 comments:
I developed brain bioenergetic exercises. they are physical exercises done by flexing the brain lobes and, consequently, the neural networks in addition to the cerebral cortex and endocrine glands. I believe it can be useful for Carrie. But I have no contact with her. My email is originate7@gmail.com. Could you pass on to her? Thanks
Congratulations Carrie. Such a moving essay. You've shared some inspiring tips in this interview, as someone living with a degenerative disease, that all should embrace. Wishing you the best and continued success.
CONGRATULATIONS! I'm wishing you continued success and will keep you in my prayers for much more lovely time to share your gifts. You're an inspiration ♡
This is not Carrie Jade Williams. She's an imposter. Her name is Samantha Cookes.
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