1.      Please tell us about your memoir Precious.

Precious is the story of my life from birth to coming of age.  It's about being born into an African family and then sent away to live in a white family, in an all-white community in rural England.  The book explores issues of racial and cultural identity, class and motherhood.  The Boston Globe described it as 'Gorgeously written, with a fiercely honest voice.  Williams will grow up [to become] Precious, "the writer, the grown woman..." How she gets there is a serpentine road that's as shatteringly moving as it is incredible.'

2.      When did you first start thinking about writing the book? What inspired you to write it?

I first began thinking about writing the story of my life around 2001.  I had just moved to America and whenever I described my childhood story to people I met there they'd invariably say, "you really should write a book....."

3.      How long did it take you to write the book?

Writing the book took about a year but researching it took at least twice that long and even involved going to court to convince a judge to release some of the records pertaining to my childhood.

4.      What type of research did you do?

I obtained medical records, court documents, school reports, social services files and I also interviewed members of my biological and foster families.

5.      What support did you get from your family and friends while writing the book?

There's a lot in my memoir that even my closest friends hadn't known about - including episodes of physical abuse and rape.  I went very silent on my friends while I was resurrecting all this stuff and writing my book and my friends were very patient with me.  My foster family were very helpful in helping verify various facts and dates and events with me.  In some of the earliest scenes of my book I am only about three years old.  I had a very clear recollection of the scenes I've written about, right down to word-for-word dialogue,  but it was extremely useful to be able to show what I'd written to older members of the family who confirmed my memories.  One critic questioned whether a young child could have such detailed recall of childhood scenes.  In my experience traumatic episodes, even when they occur at an early age, tend to be etched permanently in the memory and they remain as crystal-clear as scenes in a movie...

6.      What was the hardest part about writing this book?

The hardest part of the book was raking up the past.  In retrospect I think it's been cathartic, but in a very brutal way.

7.      Do you spend any time in Africa at all?

I visit Nigeria - where my mother is from - whenever I can.  I was last there in 2008 for the THISDAY Festival.  It was a very interesting experience seeing Jay-Z and Usher perform in Abuja.  I've also been to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Ghana and I will be travelling to Kenya - and hopefully to Sierra Leone as well (my father's birth country) before the end of 2011.

8.      How have things changed for you (and your family) after the publication of Precious?

I feel close to all of my family members - biological and foster families - since the publication of Precious. Growing up I never felt heard.  I felt misunderstood.  I don't think the vast majority of my family members understood me until they read my book.  Now the lines of communication are open and relationships have been strengthened and are more authentic.

9.      What response are you getting from readers?

I'm thrilled with the responses I've received from readers.  I hadn't expected so many people to be 'get' my story and to be interested in my book.  Emails and letters have arrived from as far afield as Kenya and Canada.

10.  What is your next project?

I'm working on an historical novel.

JUST FOR FUN:

1.      What are you currently reading?

I'm reading Trespass by Rose Tremain.  Her writing is just gorgeous.  I'm also about to re-read Devil In A Blue Dress by Walter Mosely. There are a handful of novels I re-read all the time because they remind me why I love writing and they inspire me to be the best writer I can be.  Devil In A Blue Dress is on that list.

2.      What was the book that most influenced your life — and why?

It's very hard to select just one book but I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings stunned me - not because of the gorgeous writing, not just because of how brave and wonderful Maya Angelou is but because reading it made me realize that black women have a voice and that people are interesting in hearing and publishing what we have to say.

3.      What is your favourite city?

Brooklyn!  I lived there for 6 years and I consider it my spiritual home.

4.      What is your favourite holiday destination?

Hard to narrow it down to one place.  I have very fond memories of Negril in Jamaica though.

5.      What is your favourite film?

I really adore 'Dirty Pretty Things' and 'The Usual Suspects'.

6.      What is your favourite song?

I adore 'Love & Happiness' by Al Green

7.      What is your favourite restaurant?

I like Nobu for the Black Cod they serve there.  There's also this little takeaway place in Brooklyn called The Islands where the food is just out of this world.

8.      What is the best thing about being a writer?

Self-expression.  Being so consumed by writing that I lose track of time.

9.      How do you unwind?

I unwind by watching movies, doing yoga, going for a walk or a run and chatting to my friends.

10.  What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

"What other people think of you is none of your business."