Author Mariana Williams at Apostrophe Books Today

Mariana Williams is far from ordinary. Williams is the author of “Happy New Year, Darling!”, “The Valentine State” and her newest novel, “Stars or Stripes Fourth of July.” She also has a unique CD featuring real-life experiences called “Wince-Worthy Tales.”

Williams calls herself a “peppy optimist” and always manages to pull out quirky stories from her magic writer’s hat. In fact, she once started up a round-table discussion with her girlfriends about a possible invention and cure for a hangover. Within a split second, she envisioned a lollipop with the power to cure a throbbing migraine. “It would be called Wake Up Sucker!” giggled Williams. She will sign her new novel, “Stars or Stripes Fourth of July” on July 2nd at Apostrophe Books in Belmont Shore and discuss the novel.

Williams was born in Hollywood, California and later moved to Long Beach with her dad during her teenage years. She then received her associate’s degree from Long Beach City College and went on to attend Universidad de las Americas. She adores Long Beach and lives with her family and two rescue cats: Princess and Bella.

 For fifteen years, Williams pursued a career as a professional musician while playing the piano and practicing the art of singing. She toured with her band, “Just Us” to various places like Osaka, Japan and Casablanca, Morocco. Williams remembers working at open mic nights in San Diego and being swept away by comedians like Robin Williams and Bob Sagat. She loved watching comedians and knew at that point, that she wanted to turn her hobby into a career. Williams then landed a successful career booking entertainment and comedy for seven years and had the time of her life. “I thought I was funny but I actually wasn’t,” Williams said.

Williams’ writing career didn’t quite jumpstart until 2001, when she realized that she really enjoyed storytelling. She wrote three holiday-themed novels centered around the main protagonist, Veronica Bennett. “She is like me. In fact, she is me. The character is based on me and my experiences as a musician and booker. I had so many wild and funny experiences. I just fabricated a plot using the pen name Veronica Bennett,” said Williams decked in a colorful cheetah print cardigan and classy specks

 Williams encourages aspiring writers to take advantage of creative writing workshops and classes in order to network and get constructive criticism. After publishing her first book, Williams started attending creative writing classes at Orange Coast College to strengthen her writing skills and challenge herself. All that hard work definitely paid off because she was able to continue the Veronica Bennett series and keep her chick lit fans enthralled.

 It wasn’t always a swift journey for Williams. She notes that during the writing process, there were certainly some painful moments during her life. “I was going through a divorce at the time. There were times when I didn’t want to go through my writing. Because Veronica was going through my experience, too.” But despite obstacles in her life, Williams finished the book. Just recently, Williams was first runner-up for the 2011 Indie Excellence Book Award.

  As of now, Williams spends a lot of time creating storytelling events and constantly reading non-fiction books on self-improvement and spirituality and of course chick lit fiction. “I write because I want to remember some of the observations and the strange things that happen. I tell stories all the time and a lot of them are worth repeating. I get everything from life,” says Williams.

Mariana Williams will be at Apostrophe Books in Belmont Shore today, July 2nd, from 1-3pm for the signing of her book, “Stars or Stripes Fourth of July.”