Personality Jenny Crwys-Williams entertains Writers 2000

Where were you when the news of the World Trade Centre terrorist attack of September 11 broke?

This was the theme for the September Writers 2000 meeting with media personality Mrs Jenny Crwys-Williams.

She shared with the group that she was in the middle of interviewing Alison, the survivor of the terrible assault by two men on the deserted coastal road in Port Elizabeth.

When the second plane hit, the magnitude of the event caused the interview to stop abruptly and Alison was rushed away so fast that her feet scarcely touched the ground.

Mrs Crwys-Williams enthralled members and visitors alike as she took them through some of the most interesting highlights of her career.

She said that Bishop Desmond Tutu had touched her deeply as he spoke with her of his personal faith and his challenges.

Former US president Bill Clinton was a celebrity who was incredibly difficult to secure an interview with and she had to join a long waiting list, but said that, once facing the man, he was very enthralling and amazing to interview.

She spoke of Oprah Winfrey having a similar enchanting nature to President Clinton and sharing the ability to make the interviewer feel that they were receiving their full, undivided attention during the interview.

The list of personalities she has interviewed seems countless.

Her great love of books had brought her into contact with great writers like Mr Lee Child, the British thriller writer, and famous South African authors such as Mr Andre P. Brink and Mr Wilbur Smith, with whom she clearly has had a great and long-standing rapport.

She mentioned her valuable and long connection with Jonathan Ball Publishers, who had kept her advised of forthcoming book releases, enabling her to select worthy interview candidates.

Referring to local books and publishing she said she felt that many new South African authors were providing excellent quality books worth reading.

She did however say that non-fiction books fared better with local publishers.

Securing publication through European and American publishers remained first prize for South African writers.

In South Africa an author was considered to have provided a bestseller when 3 000 copies of their books have been sold.

After 25 years she had recently resigned from Radio 702, and she hinted broadly that friends and supporting fans should ‘watch this space’ for new developments in her life.

For more information, contact Writers 2000 chairperson Nicolette Bosman on w2000@telkomsa.net or 082 924 5735.