Your bio
says you’ve written over 100 books over a span of 25+ years. How do you keep
your writing fresh after all those books?
I do a lot of reading and watching documentaries, etc. I am constantly keeping an eye out for
new stories and ideas that will fit into plots I already have in mind. I
believe the story ideas come from God and that He has given me a special gift
to design and plot out the storylines. So, I would say a lot of prayer
and reading keep the plot lines different and fresh.
Is there any
one book or series that is dear to your heart more than any other?
Not
really. I'm usually totally caught up in the book I'm writing and so that
one tends to be the favorite for the moment.
With so many
Christian publishing companies and bookstores either closing shop or being
bought by secular publishers, do you think clean, wholesome Christian themed
books will continue to be marketed by these companies?
Publishing
for all sides is in a weird place where no one is sure where it's headed or
what it's going to do next. Christian bookstores and publishers aren't the only
ones who are struggling to figure out the future. I think, however, there is a
definite surge of people who want clean reads and clean movies and I believe
both will grow in popularity.
You’ve
co-authors some of your books. What was that process like?
My first
co-author experience was with Judith Pella. She's an amazing lady and I loved
learning from her. She helped me to get into Bethany House as she was
already established there and that was such a wonderful thing for me. I've
tried to help other authors the same way. The writing process has so many
positives. We plot storylines together and are able to bounce ideas off each
other.
What are the
pluses or minuses?
When you
have a couple of people working on the story plot, you're able to see the holes
and problems with characters and issues so that's definitely a plus. You
also have the added help with research and the actual writing. In my
situation - both authors plot out the story, then one writes the first draft
which requires that same author to do the bulk of research.
Then the
other author takes that first draft and goes over it adding to it, fleshing out
and making changes. Then the second draft goes back to the first author.
We do this until we feel the book is complete and all the problems are
corrected and then we send it off to the publisher.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
That's a difficult question for me. I love the creating and most everything about
writing. I suppose if there was one thing it would be the English writing rules
that tend to bog me down. I find myself thinking, "Okay is that deep
POV? Is this writing too passive? Am I using too many "ly"
words? That's when the writing ceases being fun.
What does
your editor remind you to do most often?
Not to worry
about the rules and just write a great story.
We have all
experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it?
I had an editor once tell me she didn't think I was cut out for full-length novels and
should just stick with shorter stories. That made me dig in and find what was
missing, what I needed to learn and how to better make a complicated plot that
would carry a 400-page book.
What has
surprised you the most in writing/publishing?
I think the
helpfulness and kindness of Christian authors for one another. The attitude
I've experienced hasn't been competitive or fearful like I've experienced in
the secular writer groups where authors seem afraid to discuss their work for
fear of someone stealing it.
What
frustrated you the most?
That's hard
to say. I suppose the most frustrating is trying to figure out the best
way to get the word out to the readers.
What do you
know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
To just
write my story, my way and trust the editorial team to help me craft it in the best way possible, instead of trying to write to please the editorial team or
what I imagine the editorial team wants.
What is the
best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Do your
research. Research in historicals or contemporary will breathe life into
the story. I've worked as a managing editor before and nothing was sadder
than to see a story that had a good plot idea, but the author dropped the ball
in the area of research.
Some authors
would excuse it saying, "Well, it's just fiction." That's no
excuse. Your story deserves the research to be solid. If you're
writing about a particular town in 1861 - learn about it, map it out, read the
details of that town and how it was laid out - who was in charge of it - what
were their goals. Things like that really bring a story to life.
Are there
any other points about writing you would like to add?
Learn all
you can. Go to writer conferences and network with other authors, with agents
and editors and learn all you can learn, even if you think you know it all.
What is the
next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
The next
book out will be the conclusion to my current series. What Comes My Way
is the continued story of the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza and it's
all female performers. It will resolve an ongoing murder mystery and bring
together Ella and Phillip who have been sweet on each other throughout the
series.
Ella has
held Phillip at arm's length because of his drinking problem, but Phillip has
fought hard to put the past aside and the drinking as well. With the help
of his brother, he learns about God and how to reorder his life. Meanwhile
Ella is stunned to learn the dark secrets of her family's business
practices.
Throughout
the book there will adventure, intrigue and danger, but love will conquer all
and my hope is that the reader will find this to be a most satisfying conclusion
to the series. Book 3 will be out in September.
Sounds intriguing! If you'd like to learn more about Tracie's writing, here are some links to get you started.
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