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Interview with Lacy Williams

Intro . . .


Lacy Williams writes inspirational romance geared to women who may feel overwhelmed with their busy schedules. She hopes her stories resonate with readers because she shares her heart and life experience through each character and plot. As a reader, Lacy must read the ending of the book before the beginning. As a writer, Lacy visualizes “The End” before she starts writing the story. Learn more about Lacy and her passion for writing, farm life, and historical romance in today’s featured interview.

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How did you become a USA Today bestselling author and how did you celebrate that accomplishment?


I was part of a multi-author anthology that hit the USA Today list in November 2014. I was elated when I found out and danced around my house like a crazy person—and then promptly had to go change a dirty diaper. Oh, the glamorous life of an author. A few years ago, my husband started the tradition of buying me a sterling silver charm for each book published. For that one he bought me one with “USA Today” engraved on it, so that’s a nice memento to have.

What did you love the most about growing up on a farm?


In combination with my love of reading, growing up on a farm allowed my imagination to stretch. It was easy to imagine settlers crossing the plains on the Oregon Trail when I could read out in the middle of an open field. I also loved the wildlife (mostly) and being able to take impromptu fishing trips with my dad and picnics with my mom and siblings.

Where does your family live now? What is your favorite thing to do there?


We live in suburban Oklahoma and enjoy a lot of different activities. Playing in the park. The occasional fishing trip with Grandpa. Going to see movies. Hubby and I sneak out for date night when we can! And lately, our oldest has been interested in ice skating, so we’ve been going to the rink a couple of times a week.

What’s it like being an author, wife, and mom at the same time?


To me, it’s similar to moms who work outside the home. The main difference is that my working hours are flexible, but I still have to put in the time. Sometimes, I work late into the night if there’s a deadline looming. I’m blessed to have a solid support system and some great babysitters, but it’s also important to me not to miss the small moments in my children’s lives. Finding that balance is hard.

What do you love the most about your work as an author?


I absolutely love writing the pivotal moments of a love story. The moment the characters realize they are in love. The first kiss. How they reach their happily-ever-after. I also love it when the characters surprise me with something about themselves that I didn’t know when I started drafting the book.

What can you tell us about your latest release, Her Cowboy Deputy?


This book is a historical romance, set in Wyoming in the early 1900s. It focuses on one small homestead and how hard things could be for homesteaders who didn’t have a strong support system from their families or neighbors. Imagine living season to season at the mercy of the weather and the land. Working yourself to the bone just to have enough food to stay alive for the winter. Luckily, the heroine Catherine doesn’t have to go it alone after she rescues a bedraggled, injured lawman.

What was your inspiration for this book?


Her Cowboy Deputy is book six in the Wyoming Legacy series. I’ve known for several books that Matt, the hero, was a lawman, but that was about all I knew! Meeting Catherine was a fun surprise. She’s a spunky, independent woman who hates taking charity and is afraid to trust outsiders—until she has no choice. Some of the book was inspired by a childhood favorite, My Side of the Mountain, which my dad read to us when my siblings and I were children.

Why did you write Her Cowboy Deputy and what do you want readers to take away from it?


I want to write the stories for all the adopted kids in the White family (started back in The Homesteader’s Sweetheart in 2012) and hope to get there someday. I hope readers remember it’s not always easy to be vulnerable with someone else—romantically or otherwise—but that it can come with a beautiful reward, like a deeper relationship.

What literary character is most like you? Why?


Probably Hermione Granger. I love learning. Prefer to be the top of the class. Can be a know-it-all on occasion (although I’ve gotten better with age, like she did).

In what ways do you hope your stories will resonate with your readers?


I hope readers identify with my characters as they overcome their worst fears to do something courageous. Whether the courageous act is big or small, I think we can all use some extra courage in our lives!

You’ve said that when you start a story, you already have “The End” written in your head. Explain your writing process.


That moment when the characters overcome their biggest fear and make the huge sacrifice is very poignant to me. I have to know that moment before I start writing. I wouldn’t be able to get the character to the point of facing that biggest fear without knowing first what it was, so that’s always a part of learning the characters that I do before I start the story. It sort of becomes a roadmap to lead me through the story to get to The End!

What was the most significant step in your publication journey?


I attended an Early Bird session with Donald Maass at the 2009 ACFW conference. He ran us through several difficult exercises that ultimately strengthened my writing. I sold my first novel within a year after that life-changing session.

Complete this sentence: “When I write ‘The End’ to one of my stories, my first thoughts are _________________ because ________________.”


When I write “The End” to one of my stories, my first thought is finally! because I’ve usually struggled through the middle and can’t wait to go back and revise.

Any parting words?


Thank you for hosting me! I’d love to invite readers to visit my website www.lacywilliams.net to download a free e-book and try out my writing. God bless!

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Alexis A. Goring is a writer at heart and a journalist by profession. She loves the art of storytelling and has released her first book, an inspirational romance novella called Hope in My Heart: A Collection of Heartwarming Stories, in Sept. 2013. When Alexis is not working on her next book or chasing the next big story, she can be found listening to music, enjoying food, shopping at her favorite malls, and spending quality time with loved ones.




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