Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.The winner from last week’s Author Spotlight with Sarah Sundin is Marie Anne! Please email my assistant Christen with your mailing address. (ckrumm@litfusegroup.com)
This week Tracie Peterson is in the spotlight! To win a copy of her Taming the Wind, leave a comment on this post!
Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?
I’ve been married to Jim for over 33 years. I have 3 children all grown – one in Boston, one in Topeka (married with 3 pretty cool grandkids) and our 23 year old son who just moved back in with us. I write full time and try to write a chapter every day.
And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest…
I love to write inspirational historical series with a strong romantic theme. Once in a while I like to write contemporary romance and non-fiction. My writing is a ministry to me and I love serving God in this way. I get to read and research, travel and talk to really neat people, all while sharing God’s love and hope.
How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author?
I’ve been writing since I was very young. My mother would give me a pencil and paper in church to keep me quiet when I was quite small. After church she would ask me to tell her my story. I credit her with helping me develop my imagination. I loved writing throughout my school days and as I grew older I dreamed of creating books that other people would love.
After you started writing seriously–how long was it before you were published?
Years and years. ☺ Seriously, I wrote several manuscripts (that have since been destroyed) and tried my best to get them published from the time I was twenty or so. It was until many years later I finally decided to write a few Sunday School take-home articles and volunteered as a columnist for a Christian newspaper. That’s when I really saw how I could use my writing for Jesus. In 1992 I received my first contract and now am approaching my 100th book just 20 years later.
Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?
Coffee makes me jittery so that isn’t the direction I take unless I load it with protein. However, I try to write every day whether I feel “the muse upon me” or not. It’s important to me to be disciplined and in order to do that I write using a chapter by chapter outline. This outline helps me to keep my story pacing moving, my character issues resolved and so forth. I try to write a chapter every day and that sometimes takes a couple of hours and sometimes takes all day. When my chapter is done, I do research reading and look for additional stories, answer fan mail and plot out new ideas.
What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?
My family has always been super supportive. They were the ones who encouraged me to keep trying when those rejection letters came. My husband Jim was great about encouraging me to go to writing conferences where I could connect to other authors, editors and agents. I always, always recommend writer’s conferences. In fact, I helped to found American Christian Fiction Writers so that new and established authors could have the help they needed online and in person.
What advice would you give to new writers?
Read as many books as you can get your hands on. Read all kinds of genres and see what fits your interests best. Read what’s on the best-sellers list and then tear into them and see what you think makes them a best-seller – is it the plot action, the character development, the pacing, the setting? Get connected to a writer’s organization and learn all you can. Don’t be a diva thinking you know everything and that you can’t learn from reviewing old standard classes. And, above all, pray for direction and guidance.
Pretend I’m a customer at a bookstore looking for a good book. Give me a one or two sentence promo to convince me to buy your book.
Are you looking for an entertaining read that will educate and encourage you, share God’s hope and treat you to a romantic encounter? Then Tracie Peterson novels are for you!
What’s on the book horizon for you?
Next spring I have a new series starting. Book one – The Icecutter’s Daughter will start a 3 book series set in Minnesota. Each book is a standalone historical that will touch on a different slice of life in 1890’s Minnesota.
Last question, how can readers find you and your books?
Readers can find me at www.traciepeterson.com and http://www.facebook.com/TraciePetersonAuthor. My books are available at bookstores everywhere, as well as online. Also, in conjunction with Litfuse Publicity Group, I’ll be hosting a Facebook party celebrating the release of Taming the Wind on 9/26 (this coming Wendesday). I would love it if you were able to stop by and say hi. Just click the photo below for all the details and to RSVP!
I love to win. Traice is one of my favorites.
Would love a copy of Tracie’s book.
I would like to win
I would love one of Traci’s books. They are great reads with a wonderful message.
Sorry Tracie, I lost the e in your name. 🙂
I would love to win a copy of the book!
Traci’s books always leave me feeling closer to God and his faithfulness. I always thought I was born in the wrong century and wish sometimes I could travel back to this time period.
Love Tracie’s books!
Love Tracie Peterson’s books. I am loving Historical Fiction books!
Would love to win
I would love to win. I really like Christian Historical Fiction!
Great interview, Suzanne and Tracie! The great thing about Tracie’s writing is that she is so well-loved that I am able to get her books through the library on CDs, which saves on my audiobook budget! Enjoyed meeting Tracie at ACFW conference two years ago and getting to talk to her again at the 2011 conference. She’s a delight as is Suzanne!
Great interview, Suzanne and Tracie! The great thing about Tracie’s writing is that she is so well-loved that I am able to get her books through the library on CDs, which saves on my audiobook budget! Enjoyed meeting Tracie at ACFW conference two years ago and getting to talk to her again at the 2011 conference. She’s a delight as is Suzanne!
Would love to win. I am in Australia…..you know Hugh Jackman land lol
I love your books…would love to win~!
So fun to see Tracie’s fan club! Thanks, everyone, for popping over to read about Tracie.
I would love to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity! God bless you real good!
Enjoyed this interview–author interviews are like movie star interviews to pre-published authors like myself! I’m another historical fiction writer. I think pouring prayer over our books is the only way to move ahead–that, and some really great crit partners!
Would love to win Taming the Wind! I’ve loved every book of hers that I’ve read!
Love Author Spotlights! What we, as readers, imagine is so often f-a-r from reality. Thanks to you, Suzanne for great questions & thanks to Tracie for her transparency!
I so love Tracie’s books and would love to win this one! Thanks!
I love the guidance she gives for new writers, which is sooo similar to what people should learn in real life. Don’t be a diva and think you know it all. 🙂 Love her books! 🙂
Love your books. Would love to win this one!!!
Tracie Peterson is a wonderful author. Hopefully I might be blessed enough to get a copy.
I love Tracie’s books! Thanks for the interview!
it took her years and years to get published!!!!!!!!! and look where she is now…..YEA vrush729@aol.com
Can hardly wait for the new book…and it would be even better to win it! I read everything you put out and love it all!
I would love to win. This is the only book by Tracie Peterson that I don’t have!! I love her books!!
I have never read any Tracie Peterson. I’m impressed that you write every day. I don’t know that I would be that disciplined. It’s interesting that you started writing when you were little and managed to make a viable career of it. I have heard great things about your books. Great to try a new author. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
I used to read a lot of Tracie’s books but haven’t recently. I would love her newest book.
I love Tracie’s books! My favorites are her Kit Shannon series and her books about the Harvey girls. I always learn something new because of all the historical research she puts in.
I’d love to win this book. Blessings to both of you!
I would love to win this book. Thanks.
I have read several of Tracie’s books. Would love to win this one.
looking fwd to hearing more when we party !
congrats on your amazing career of success & wishing you every cont’d success!
ty for sharing more insights Tracie and Suzanne for interviewing finesse!
I would love to win Tracie’s book. Please enter me. Thank you Suzanne for this interview and give-away. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )
I love Tracie’s books!!! If I cannot find an Amish Fiction book, the next book I will pickup is one of Tracie’s!!
Tracie~~my heart goes out to you~~your 23 year old is moving back in with you??? You are brave my friend.
You are an inspiration to us all ~~despite your attempts to write and publish in your early years~~You let God lead you to continue writing. And, it is a blessings to all of us, indeed. I hope you continue writing your novels!!
Blessings,
Kristin J
Beautiful cover !!! The couple on the cover look like they are facing the future out in the West. I would like to win this book. Count me in !!!
Tracie, I love your books and would love to win a copy of this book!
Blessings,
Tina
Would love to win a copy of this book .Thank – you for the contest .Blessings
Dana
This story looks great!