Interview with Tanya E Williams, Author of All That Was

What can you tell us about your new release, All That Was?

All That Was takes place in Seattle, WA and follows the lives of two strong women. Emily is a young lawyer in 2015 and Elizabet is a ghost who passed away in 1935. Both women find themselves “stuck” in their current situation due to their own unwillingness to move through their grief. As their journeys cross in a historic church, both women must find the courage required to move forward. They are both supported by a loving, inspiring, and occasionally comedic cast of characters. All That Was is a story about love, loss, family, friendship, and letting go.

What books are currently on your nightstand?

I am currently reading When We Were Young & Brave by Hazel Gaynor and The Ragged Edge of Night by Olivia Hawker. Waiting my attention is Jackie & Maria by Gill Paul, Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh, and The Sea Keeper’s Daughter by Lisa Wingate, among many, many others.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Don’t let fear get in the way of reaching for your dreams. My motto is, learned the hard way of course, fear can come along for the ride, but fear does not get to drive the bus.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

Researching! I fall down many a rabbit hole while gathering research for one of my novels and the result is generally hours spent with little awareness of the world beyond what I am researching. That extra hour would be magic!

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

My family is at the core of my world. I find immense joy in the daily interactions that I share with family and friends. Sharing a sense of humor, an inclination for storytelling, and having a grateful attitude help turn everyday life into something to be cherished.

What scene in All That Was was your favorite to write?

The final scene, but not because it meant the novel was complete. The story’s final scene is my favorite because the scene reminds us of how we are all connected to one another, to the past, and to the memories a building’s walls might hold.

Tanya E Williams is the author of the new book All That Was.

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