Preslaysa Williams is an award-winning author and actress. As an actress, she’s co-starred on a Nickelodeon TV series and has appeared on Off Broadway and regional theatre. After graduating from Columbia University, she began writing heartfelt stories of redemption. In her spare time, she enjoys spending way too much time on social media and training for half marathons to force herself to exercise.
Connect with Preslaysa...
Website: www.preslaysa.com
Blog: www.preslaysa.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12017078.Preslaysa_Williams
Facebook: www.facebook.com/preslaysa
Twitter: www.twitter.com/preslaysawrites
Instagram: www.instagram.com/preslaysa
Get to know Preslaysa...
What has kept you writing?
Pure love. Really. I love it so much that nothing can keep me from NOT writing. It’s part of who I am. I get twitchy if I go for long stretches of time without writing. For me, writing helps answer the big life questions and sort out all the things I mull over in my head. (I’m an overthinker!)
Writing
Are you a Panster or Plotter?
I started out as a Pantser on my first two books, but now I’m definitely a plotter. Plotting saves me so much time!
What does your writing process look like?
Now that I’m a plotter J I spend a LOT of time interviewing and chatting with my characters even before I start figuring out scenes in the book. For my current work in progress, I spent about two to three months talking to my characters. When the time came to plot and outline, the story itself came naturally because I knew the characters so well.
What is your favorite and least favorite part of the writing process?
Favorite part of the writing process is when my scene draft is close to polished, and then I’m wordsmithing or strengthening the character’s voice. My least favorite part of writing is writing first drafts because they are usually so stilted and awkward and flat. Rough writing makes me cringe, but it’s also an invitation for me to do my thing as a writer and fix it up.
Yes, I do listen to music when I write. When I need extra focus, I listen to non-vocal background noise that’s supposed to stimulate creativity. I go to the Coffitivy website for this; it’s amazing. Right now, my favorite song (with lyrics) that I like listening to while writing is Khalid’s “Location”
Are there any books or resources you could recommend to younger writers looking to grow in their craft?
“Techniques of the Selling Writer” by Dwight Swain and “Scene and Structure” by Jack Bickham
How do you grow in your writing craft?
I read a lot, and I write a lot. I don’t get writer’s block. I manage to do some form of writing or editing at least six days a week, even if it’s only a page of writing or editing. Those little increments add up!
How do you balance your writing life with “real” life?
Any tips or tricks to share? I used to keep long to-do lists and feel defeated at the end of the day when I didn’t do everything I set out to do. Now, I only have a to-do of 3-5 items. It’s made me more productive and happier!
You
What is one thing you like to do to relax when you aren’t writing?
Read a great book that makes me cry and laugh.
What are you currently reading?
Right now, I’m reading “The Boy in the Black Suit” by Jason Reynolds. It’s a YA book. I’ve been binge reading contemporary YA recently!
Thanks for being my guest Preslaysa! Reader friends, make sure you enter the giveaway below - I know there are some of your out there who love your coffee as much as I do 😉
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