Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Tracey Lyons
Linda: Thanks for stopping by. You’ve written Regency, Reconstruction/Gilded Age, and contemporary Amish fiction. How do you decide which time period to use for your stories, and do you have a favorite?
Tracey: I love writing historicals, so all of my first books were written out of my love for history. When I moved on to a new publisher I decided to try my hand at writing Amish fiction.
LM: Do you base any characters on real people (including yourself)?
Tracey: Oh my goodness! Yes! I have a series called the Women of Surprise, sweet historical set in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. I based the female characters on myself and my two sisters. I’m not sure they were happy with me! LOL!
LM: Do you have a set routine to prepare for writing (e.g. listening to music, etc.) and is there a time of 
day you are more productive?
Tracey: I’m way more productive in the morning. I like to have a scent infuser going and I put on spa or classical music.
LM: Research is an important part of writing any book. How do you research for your stories, and have you unearthed any exceptionally interesting tidbits?
Tracey: I travel to all the locations where my books are set. I also like to talk to people who live in those areas. Back in the day I used to spend a lot of time at my local library and historical society combing through books and records. These days I do use the internet, but I don’t find it the same as being there in person. In my first historical I got to go to the original garnet mine in upstate NY. That ended up being where I set the story.
Tracey: I really want to learn how to drive on a NASCAR track.
LM: Here are some quickies:
Tracey:
Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Favorite Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 16:14
LM: Can you tell us what writing projects are on your plate right now?
Tracey: I’m in the early stages of a proposal for the Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense line and I’m tinkering with a contemporary series set in the Hudson Valley of New York State. I’m working on edits for The Amish School Teacher releasing April 2021, Harlequin Love Inspired.
Linda: Where can folks connect with you?
Tracey:
Website: http://www.traceyjlyons.com
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Tracey-J.-Lyons
Sign up for my newsletter: https://traceylyons.com/contact.html#newsletter
About A Love for Lizzie:
Childhood friends joined by a painful past...can love blossom between them?
After her father falls ill, Lizzie Miller and her family desperately need help to keep the farm going during harvesttime. Neighbor Paul Burkholder is eager to lend a hand—and to court Lizzie. But Paul has a secret that he fears could push Lizzie away. Can they finally heal from a tragedy in their pasts...and open their hearts to each other?
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LH13VR7
Great job, Tracey! I felt like I was sitting next to you having a chat.
ReplyDeleteTracey, this is so interesting. I'm like you, I go back to the days of libraries and historical societies -- and jotting facts on index cards. Love the internet for research, but still go to brick-and-mortar places to get out of the house.
ReplyDeleteDid you do a lot of research before you started writing Amish?
Kathy Bailey