City employee publishes debut novel

Date: 5/26/2009

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent



SPRINGFIELD -- Life, love and second chances are neatly woven into a new novel by first-time author Jean Williams.

On a recent Saturday morning, Williams opened up her home and heart and shared her journey from writing the first sentences of her novel to the finished book titled "The State of Gracie" -- just published through Xlibris of Philadelphia, Penn. Her first endeavor into the publishing world is available in cloth hardback and trade paperback.

"What I enjoyed most was writing what I felt was a tasteful expression of a love between a man and woman and see it come to light," Williams said.

Williams, a lifelong city resident, noted that the idea for the novel first started taking shape in 2002 during breaks at lunch (she works for the Springfield Department of Public Works), and whenever she could steal a few minutes for herself at home. As family responsibilities and finishing her master's degree at American International College in Springfield took hold, she soon put her notes away in a closet for safekeeping.

As years passed, Williams noted she struck up a friendship with another writer, Nadia Kober of East Longmeadow. Kober passed away in 2008 just as her first book was being published.

"Nadia's friendship was a fresh experience for me," Williams added. "She was someone who was very thoughtful, loving and caring."

Williams said that upon learning of Kober's death, she came across her manuscript notes that same day and knew Kober would want her to pursue her dream of publishing a novel.

"Her death pushed me to work on it more," she said.

Since last September, Williams spent countless hours writing and rewriting her manuscript and in four months time, she knew it was polished to perfection.

"It was a learning experience going through the publishing process," Williams said. "There were a few snags along the way; however, my faith helped me to triumph ahead."

"The State of Gracie" is based on a "pretty, single working mother" who at 17 becomes pregnant and then finds herself divorced by the time she is 22.

"After that bitter experience, she contents herself by working and caring for her son," Williams said. As time passes, Gracie meets Lamont Williamson, an acquaintance of her best friend, Anita. Williams describes Williamson as a "kind and decent man" who seems to have everything Gracie would want in a husband.

Of course, there's always a twist in any good novel, and soon Gracie has to decide if Lamont is the soul mate she has been waiting for all these years. Williams admits that just a tad of the book is autobiographical -- mostly in Gracie's early years.

Williams also hinted that because she has a passion for writing, she is now "slowly" continuing Gracie's story in her spare time.

When Williams isn't working or writing, she enjoys family time with her son Kevin and her granddaughter Tayla. Williams also volunteers her time for several organizations in the area including at Baystate Medical Center.

For more information on "The State of Gracie," visit www.jgraciew.com or call Williams at 796-1598. The novel can also be purchased online through Barnes & Noble (www.bn.com) and Amazon.com.