Tia Williams — the bestselling author of The Accidental Diva, It Chicks, The Perfect Find, Seven Days in June, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, and, most recently, Audre & Bash Are Just Friends — is a Fairfax County native and UVA alum. The romance author talked with Northern Virginia Magazine about her NoVA history and go-to spots, plus her real-life romance advice.
You attended Fairfax’s Woodson High School. Who encouraged your writing back then?
My English teacher, Ms. Carmichael, and the principal, Dr. Miller. I loved him so much. He was so encouraging — always had a big smile for me, was so proud of me. The school was huge — I don’t even know how he knew who I was — but he thought I was a star.
Where are your favorite NoVA places to visit?
I love Mosaic, it’s like a little village with everything — [an] outdoor mall and movie theater and the best ice cream and delicious restaurants and a big astroturf area for kids to play. It’s just a fantastic, fun family day in Fairfax.
I also love Tysons. I used to work there. I worked at The Gap in high school. I worked at The Body Shop in college.
You have been traveling on a book tour for much of this year. What makes coming home to the Northern Virginia area special?
It’s familiar. It’s home. My family is there. I know how to get around without GPS. I wish it wasn’t so humid.
You’ve said that your copy of Stephen King’s It is your emotional support novel. Have you ever considered writing horror, or a different genre?
I’ve tried to write in other genres, but when I sit down to do them, it always comes out as a torrid romance. So I’m only wired to do one thing, unfortunately. If I could, I would.
What are your top rules for romance in real life?
Be honest about who you are up front and allow yourself to be swept away.
Do you have a favorite novel that you’ve written?
It’s always the latest one — Audre & Bash Are Just Friends.
As a former beauty editor, what beauty products would your novels be and why?
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde would be a perfume because fragrance plays a huge part in that story. The Perfect Find would be a lip stain because they were making out all the time and Jenna would need to keep her lipstick intact. Seven Days in June would be mascara because you’re gonna cry. Audre & Bash Are Just Friends would be a bonnet because both Audre and Bash wear bonnets in bed.
What’s next for you?
I have a book coming next summer called The Misconnection. It’s an adult romance and I’m very excited about it, but I need to write it. It’s due in November.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Feature image courtesy Tia Williams
This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
