Denise Williams-Klotz works as the Assistant Director of Multicultural Student Affairs at Iowa State.
Often seen at Dogeared Books signing copies of her novels, Denise Williams-Klotz drew inspiration for her second novel, “The fastest way to fall” recounting a time when she felt strong.
For Williams-Klotz, assistant director of multicultural student affairs, it was on the elliptical, racing against the person on the machine next to her without her knowledge.
“But I knew we were racing, and I thought about that moment when I finished that practice and I felt like I could take on the world,” Williams-Klotz said. “That moment of strength and that example of physical strength, but just the feeling that I could do anything, and what it could be like to write a love story that happened in that moment. That moment when we felt so strong, we could do anything. Lock eyes with our soul mate across the room.
In the novel, the main characters Britta, who has the opportunity to write about a new fitness app, and Wes, CEO of said app, unexpectedly fall in love. Credibility issues arise, forcing them to reconsider a relationship.
Topics such as weight, body positivity, and finding strength in all facets of life, not just physically, are all themes that Williams-Klotz brings into the novel through the characters.
“For me, the message of this book is something that I see embraced in so many different ways, both with students and on campus, just in the media in general, that fitness belongs in everyone. world,” Williams-Klotz said. “Exercise belongs to everyone. In this particular book, it’s about a fat woman going on this fitness journey and knowing that doesn’t mean she wants to lose weight, or want to change, or she’s not happy with herself, but with this exercise, fitness, trying new things with nutrition, it can all belong to anyone and it doesn’t have to be related to what, for some people is a very toxic and rather intimidating story with people thinking they have to change themselves or they don’t like themselves.
For Wes, his journey is about emotional and mental strength that most men don’t show.
“His journey is about finding the strength to ask for help. And being vulnerable, trusting someone,” Williams-Klotz said.
Posted in early November 2021, Williams-Klotz is still feeling the ripple effect of responses from the release of her debut novel, “How to fail at flirting”, which was released in December 2020.
In particular, it meant a lot to Williams-Klotz that she was able to “merge” different aspects of her life, such as being a mentor for students and being an author.
“It was really cool, on campus, when students or fellow faculty and staff would tell me they were reading my book or hear from different people,” Williams-Klotz said. “Or with students, to talk about writing and hear from students I already knew and students I didn’t know, that they want to be writers and they want to talk about the process of publishing a book.”
For those who want to become an author or love to write and are ready to take it to the next level, Williams-Klotz has one key piece of advice: keep writing.
“The problem with editing and writing in general is that it’s iterative,” Williams-Klotz said. “It’s getting better and better and so many people stop because the first draft isn’t perfect. And I struggled with that, even being already published and with my PhD, I’ve been writing for a long time So I guess the advice I would give to people writing is that the only thing a first draft has to do is exist.The only thing a first draft has to be is on the page.
Williams-Klotz stressed the importance of using on-campus resources such as the Writing and Media Center as they are not only there to help with academic writing endeavors but also with personal pursuits.
While the impact of her novels on campus is impressive, it’s the authenticity of the readership that makes the publishing process worthwhile. Representations of those who were once in toxic relationships, who survived toxic relationships, and who suffered trauma from abuse are seen in her debut novel.
“The book has had a lot of press, which is really amazing, and it’s waiting for some cool awards and accolades, [but] Honestly, for me, the most meaningful response to the first book is hearing from readers, people I know and people I don’t know, that it was meaningful for them to see themselves on the page,” said said Williams-Klotz. “Especially people who were survivors themselves, victims of abuse, who’ve been in a toxic relationship, workplace harassment, all those things, seeing each other on a page, finding love and of still being authentic, still dealing with the scars of trauma, or still healing, or still having walls, but also having a love affair. And I keep all of those messages because that it’s so amazing to me, that the people who have trusted me with their stories. But it’s also indicative [of] how many people, especially [with] the first book, deal with, or live with, or deal with the aftermath of violent relationships. It was very powerful, but hearing people was, for me, the most incredible response to the book.
For “The Fastest Way to Fall,” Williams-Klotz hears from readers who once again find a representation of themselves within the pages of her novels.
“Hearing what it means for people to read about someone who is positive with themselves and engaged [in] exercise and navigate these choppy waters to feel good about your body, and it’s been just amazing,” Williams-Klotz said. “I like it, and I like it in a way, my words [are] part of something like that.
