Author Tracy Williams, also known as The Naked Blonde Writer, has received a bursary from Literature Wales (formerly known as Academi) to write her second novel under the working title of Insomnia: Doctors & Drug Dealers. The bursary is for a six month period, during which time Tracy hopes to produce a first draft of 120,000 words. She has been researching the novel for the past three years. The story is vaguely autobiographical, loosely based on the author’s personal experience of lifelong chronic insomnia. The confessional content of the narrative will, however, incorporate vast amounts of fiction and be rendered in satirical and allegorical form. Tracy’s creative vision for the book is to achieve an aesthetic similar to that of William Burroughs’ Naked Lunch.
Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category
Naked Blonde Writer awarded bursary to write “Insomnia: Doctors and Drug Dealers”
Posted in Writing, tagged bursary, Insomnia, Literature Wales on June 2, 2011 | 6 Comments »
Insomnia – Work-in-Progress
Posted in Reading, Video, Writing, tagged Doctors, Drug Dealers, Insomnia, zopiclone on November 26, 2010 | 3 Comments »
12 minute reading of first draft text.
This is an allegorical novel, seeking agent representation and/or publisher’s commission. If you are an agent or publisher interested in seeing the sample text, do get in touch.
Credit: Written and Performed by Tracy Williams. Directed and Edited by Malena Barron. Produced by Greg Cannon.
Telephone Interview, September 2010
Posted in Writing, tagged David Spencer, Sky Radio, Telephone Interview on October 23, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Earlier this year I was approached by David Spencer, a freelance broadcast journalist and radio presenter, about The Naked Blonde Writer. David thought a marketing strategy based on nudity and a naked reading would make a great story and could be of interest to wider audience.
The resulting 48 minute telephone interview took place in September as our schedules prevented meeting face-to-face and where, of course, the recording quality would have been much better.
Separate questions
If you’d prefer to listen to parts, I’ve separated the interview into a few themed questions and my response.
The Naked Blonde Writer (9 mins)
The British reaction to nudity and our attitudes to sex (18 mins)
Women at 40 (7 mins)
Stripped of technology (6 mins)
Latest project, personal themes and the power of the voice (8 mins)
“How I did it”, Mslexia interview, October 2010
Posted in Writing, tagged Mslexia, self-publishing, the long haul on October 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The Book
Blackout started as a short film, scripted in Hollywood, based entirely around a power cut which brings two technology-possessed people together for one night – until the power comes back on. The story grew into an exploration of England vs Wales, apathy vs ambition and technology vs Mother Nature. It is an observation of the dark side of the Valleys, a harsh look at the insidious underbelly of a seemingly sing-song, small community in the ex-coal-mining valleys of South Wales.
The Long Haul
Blackout was written as a first draft novel during a year of intense isolation, while I lived in a castle in Wales. I gave it to friends and other writers to read. One night I read it out to a friend who soon after designed a (this) website to promote my work as writer, actor and nude model – thus ‘The Naked Blonde Writer’ was born. I filmed a naked reading of Chapter One and self-published the final draft this year.
The Advice
Writing for me involves wandering mountains, staring through windows and frantic rushes to stop the car and grab a pen. I suppose I am therefore always writing. The act of sitting down to write I find difficult – I meditate beforehand to ward off the self-critic. Once I’m installed in a chair, I tend to lose track of time and usually emerge enraptured. My advice: accept that the act of writing takes many different forms. The work can flourish if one keeps the pen close at hand.
The Naked Blonde Explanation
Posted in Writing, tagged Blackout, The Naked Blonde Writer on July 31, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
In response to your reactions, questions, comments and suggestions since Blackout and the Naked Reading went public, I thought a filmed interview might be the best means of communication. This interview is also to say a big thank you to those who have been reading, watching and pontificating madly on literary fiction and artistic exhibitionism during blackout.
Brecon Bookshop Sells Blackout
Posted in Writing, tagged Blackout, Bookshop, Brecon on July 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Andrew Morton Books, 10-11 Lion Yard, Brecon LD3 7BA, has the distinction of being the first bookshop in the world to sell Blackout. If you’re in the area, please stop by.

Blackout Poster in window of Andrew Morton Bookshop, Brecon
Book & Naked Reading DVD, only £20 inc. P&P
Posted in Naked Reading, Writing on June 10, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
I promised my readers, listeners and viewers I’d do a book and DVD signing at Hay and then let you down. I’m sorry; I wasn’t allowed to do anything on site, as this is reserved for published authors, and left too little time to arrange a suitable venue off site. This means I now have 20 copies of Blackout and a similar number of my naked reading DVD sitting in my house. I’d love to sell these as a set to anyone who wants both and can post them straight away, so unlike Blurb where you can wait up to 3 weeks for your order to arrive – I promise delivery in 3-5 days. To make it even more appealing I’ll throw in online access to the naked reading so you can watch before the DVD arrives. The price, including postage and packaging, is just £20.

Naked Reading DVD
To order your copy please make a £20 PayPal donation and include your shipping details in the comments. I really hope some of my viewers and listeners want to read my book and some of my readers want to own the DVD.
Hay Festival 2010
Posted in Writing, tagged guardian hay festival, hay, hay festival, Hay-on-Wye, literature festival on April 23, 2010 | 2 Comments »
As I reader and a writer and someone who lives less than 20 miles from Hay-on-Wye I’ll be attending the 2010 Hay Festival. I’m not sure yet which days I’ll be there, or even which events I’ll attend; although that’s not important as the festival is an immersion in literature and a chance to network. For an unpublished writer that has to be good. I will of course provide regular updates and hope to see some of you there … that’s particularly true if you’re an agent or publisher scouting for challenging naked talent. In the meantime I recommend this festival to ALL my fans, and who knows maybe one day you’ll be coming to see me on the main stage talking about my latest novel – we can but dream.
Blackout Mistakes and Typos
Posted in Writing, tagged Blackout mistakes on April 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
A very nice reader (thanks Tim) has been sending me direct messages on Twitter with the mistakes and typos he’s found in Blackout.
If you’re also a reader, please post as a comment any more you spot and I’ll make sure the next edition is perfect.
Mistakes and Typos
- P290, line 23 “pulling her close to him”
- P285, line 11 “insatiabl.e”
- P282, 2nd par “to talk about”
- p260, Stella is Belgian, not French!
- P260, 2/3 of page “I can keef a secret”
- P241, 1st par “infront”
- same page, 2nd to last line missing “.”
- P230, 1st par of Chapter 26, 2nd to last line “herstory”
- P228, last full paragraph doesnt have “.” at the end
- P206, “Me nad John have been taking cocaine”
- P159, 2nd par 1st line “attentionin”
- P144, around line 20 “… But Ron was on a missio.”
- Same page, bit further down “Browen”
- P137, around line 20 “you know I remeber you”
- P128, line 10 “bottle of vodka cleverly camoulflaged”
- P118, around line 20, last word “acceptd”
- P114, line 22 “waspleased”
- P71: “D’you wanna drink Tess’?” Skadal (missing n)










