CREATIVE SECRETS Eloise Williams

To discover how others are working, Loretta Fllockhart speaks to writers and illustrators about their creative spaces, processes and inspirations. This month, we hear from writer Eloise Williams.

Eloise Williams is an award-winning writer from Wales. Proudly working class, she has worked as a bartender, teacher, actor, barista and elf before doing an MA in Creative Writing and graduating with distinction.

Eloise is the author of Elen’s Island, Gaslight, Seaglass, Wilde, Honesty and Lies, all with Firefly Press, and The Tide Singer and The Curio Collectors, both with Barrington Stoke. She is a contributor and co-editor of The Mab a crowdfunded project published by Unbound. Eloise is the inaugural Children’s Laureate Wales 2019-2021.

 

What’s your ideal creative space and where do you usually end up working?

 

For years I worked everywhere and anywhere, including the kitchen table, beach, woods, garden, bed, sofa, stairs, pubs, cafes, in the car, at work when I was meant to be doing boring things.

 

After a long time, and because we live in a cottage the size of a dollhouse, I decided to buy myself a shed for the garden. I found a ‘summerhouse’ in an online sale, and it was probably the most luxurious thing I’ve ever bought. It’s not particularly weatherproof, there’s no insulation or electricity, but it’s my own space.

 

Eloise in her creative space - the garden summerhouse

 

I had every intention of keeping it clear, calm and Zen-like. Natural colours and fibres, framed affirmations, perhaps a wind chime to add to the serenity. It hasn’t quite turned out like that. The shed is populated by spiders who busily spin webs to my fascination when I’m procrastinating.

 

My dog, Watson Jones, has commandeered it as a large kennel so I end up sitting at awkward angles to accommodate him. It has a shabby vintage sofa crammed in, an old bureau which has blobs of glue and glitter on it from previous owners, piles of books, jars filled with sea glass. Birds occasionally hop in, and a bank vole has been known to investigate the corners. It’s scruffy and chaotic and I love it.

 

When do you do your best work or feel most inspired?

 

This is so changeable for me. I used to read about how other writers worked. They’d say, ‘I work best in the mornings when my brain is clear’ and I’d think, that’s what I should do!

 

I’d get up at five in the morning to write. It would work for a while and then I’d lose the routine and go back to an unscripted sort of way of working again. Then I’d read about writers who worked late into the night. They’d say they were Night Owls, and I’d think how terribly romantic that sounded and try that instead. Again, that routine would work for a while and then I’d inevitably slip out of it. 

Basically, I’ve discovered that routine doesn’t work for me, so I write whenever I feel inspired and try my best to write when I don’t!

 

A collection of Eloise's books

Where do your ideas come from?

 

Ideas usually come when I’m outside. swimming in the sea or walking through the woods. I have taken to sitting in fields in old socks and Birkenstocks and letting myself drift. When I work with young people, I encourage them to gaze out of the window, to walk around actively noticing the world, to be inspired by tiny, beautiful things. I try to do the same.

 

What are your favourite tools for writing?

 

I love a messy notebook and using different inks. I used to be a bit snobby about only using black ink because it felt more serious, but I think messing about with colour helps me to free my creativity. I’m a big fan of mood-boards and I choose music to zone me into each thing I write. Does a cup of tea count?

 

Eloise walking by the beach

What inspires your work?

 

I’m inspired by so many things. The sea and sea glass, ghosts and folklore, wildlife and nature, witches and Wales. I love mining history for stories and lean towards the unusual in my tales. I often write from emotion - rage, love, guilt. I think my inspiration comes from curiosity.

 

 

Taking inspiration from the sea

How far into a new project do you feel comfortable sharing your ideas?

 

I’m generally quite secretive with a new story because I’m afraid the spark will die if I share it. It often dies anyway, and I have many, many, many unfinished projects but I do try to keep the flame alive until I’ve given it a really good chance.

 

I think an idea is a precious thing which should be nurtured gently. Also, sometimes my ideas are just terrible and best kept to myself!

 

Do you work in the same way for each project and proposal?

 

No. It changes every single time and it’s completely unpredictable. I’ve learned to go with the flow.

 

Watson, Eloise's dog, in the summerhouse

Best bit of creative advice?

 

A piece of advice someone gave me which really changed my perspective is that it’s impossible to be creative without making mistakes. I realised that my perfectionism was just fear.

 

A piece of advice I’ve made up for myself is - do it your own way.

 

Why do you write children’s books?

 

There is such hope in children’s books. When I write for young readers I feel a huge responsibility. I only want them to have the best I can give. It feels like an enormous privilege to be a part of something so vital. Children’s books change people every day. They can change the world.

*Header image: Ell Rose and Tita Berredo; 

all other images courtesy of Eloise Williams  

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For more about Eloise and her books, visit her website: eloisewilliams.com or on social media @Eloisejwilliams

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Loretta Flockhart is the Creative Secrets editor for Words & Pictures. You can find her on social media @lolajflo

 

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Ell Rose is the Illustration Features Editor of Words & Pictures. Contact them at illustrators@britishscbwi.org 

Tita Berredo is the Illustrator Coordinator of SCBWI British Isles and the Art Director of Words & Pictures. Contact her at: illuscoordinator@britishscbwi.org