Robina lives in north-west England, in a village in Cheshire. She has an honours degree in Modern Languages from Oxford University, and a Master of Philosophy research degree in English Literature from Liverpool University. Her research thesis was on the relationship between Wilkie Collins and nineteenth-century art. Robina is very fond of English nineteenth-century painting. Ms. Williams has taught French, Latin and English in schools and colleges, She has been a freelance features writer, with regular weekly and monthly columns. Robina has also been a secretary in a university and a computer data clerk in a hospital. Jerome and the Seraph' is the first book she has written. She is half-way through a sequel. Questions and Answers What are you currently working on? I am halfway through a sequel to my novel Jerome and the Seraph, which is just out with US publisher Twilight Times Books. With which of your works are you most/least satisfied and why? Jerome and the Seraph is my first novel. Previously I have written non-fiction, as I was a freelance features writer. I have found fiction a lot more difficult to write. Who (Fact or Fiction) would you most like to meet, and what would you ask them? I should like to meet the Victorian novelist Wilkie Collins. I find all his writings, fiction and non-fiction, fascinating. I wrote a pure research M.Phil. thesis on the links between Wilkie Collins' novels and nineteenth-century art. I would like to ask him about the Pre-Raphaelite artists he knew, as several of them were his personal friends. I would also like to ask him about the artists who were friends of his father, William Collins, at the Royal Academy. Is there a book or story you wish you had written? I greatly admire Wilkie Collins' Woman in White. I wish I had written this. Is writing your full time occupation, if not what is? I have no full-time occupation now as I have been ill. Since I can no longer go out to work, it suits me very well to write fiction. Jobs I have had in the past include being a features writer, being a teacher and lecturer in schools and colleges, being a secretary and being a computer data clerk in a hospital. I have also done supply teaching and secretarial temping. What was your first professional sale?  How did it feel when you received the acceptance? My first professional sale came years ago when I had my first article received for publication by a magazine. It was a relief to find that someone liked my writing, found the article interesting and wanted to publish it. Who is you favourite author? Wilkie Collins. If you could give one piece of advice to a would-be author, what would it be? Lots of stamina needed. When did you first decide that you wanted to be an author? I decided a couple of years ago that I would like to try writing a novel. When did you first feel that you were an author? This is difficult to answer, as I began writing and selling non-fiction articles about twenty years ago. I am newly into fiction-writing. Are you for or against e-books? Very much for. I am a fan of electronic books. Are you a music fan?  If so, what? I like mainly classical music, in particular Chopin, Tchaikowsky and Handel. Do you have a favourite place to write? Sitting at a desk by the window in my dining room. Do you enjoy book signings/conventions? I have no experience of this. Why do you like SF/F/H? I enjoy reading about people in situations that are out of the ordinary and where the unexpected may happen. I don't find fantasy at all unreal. I am a great fan of Terry Pratchett, who is a wonderful fantasy writer. Is there anything more that can be done with Wizards, Elves and Dragons? Yes, lots. As a reader do you prefer Science Ficiton, Fantasy or Horror? Fantasy. I never read horror. What influences the names of people and places in your work? I try to find names that suit the characters and places, in so far as I can. Short story, single novel or novel series - which do you think is the best medium for Fantasy? I don't think there is a best medium. I think fantasy suits the short story, the single novel and the novel series. Do you use myths and ancient religions for inspiration? Yes, all the time. What book are you reading at the moment? I am re-reading Ovid's Metamorphoses. Do you enjoy collaborating? I am quite happy to collaborate and work in a team when required. How does your approach to the editing role differ from that of writing? I have no experience of editing another writer's work, although I constantly edit my own work as I go along. Do You Always know a Story's Ending When You Begin Writing? I didn't know the ending of Jerome and the Seraph when I started writing. I already know the ending of its sequel. Who or what has been a major influence on your writing and why? I think the major influences on my writing have been Wilkie Collins and Terry Pratchett -- two great authors. What's the most memorable thing said in a review of your work? I was pleased when a reviewer described Jerome and the Seraph as "a charming and deceptively simple story". Have you won any awards for your writing? No. Is there something you are particularly proud of? Not that I can think of. Plug away - what do you have coming out? Jerome and the Seraph has just been published by Twilight Times Books. I hope that readers of this novel will look forward to the sequel that I am now writing. Many Thanks, Robina! Relevant Links Robina Williams Main Bibliography Robina Williams's Web Site