T.L. Higley is the author of nine books, most of which are historical novels set in ancient cultures. Her latest book is Pompeii: City on Fire, a story about a young Jewish gladiatrix and a Roman ex-politician battling evil corruption in Pompeii.
Tracey answered a few questions about the writing life and her latest book . . .
How did you get started writing? How did you first break into the publishing world?
I’ve been writing since I was a little girl–short stories, poetry, drama sketches, everything! The writing continued all through my 20s and in my 30s I decided it was time to work toward publication. I wrote two full novels before starting to “shop” them around. At the same time as those rejections were coming, I started to go to writers’ conferences and get some much-needed feedback, encouragement and advice. I met new writing friends, editors and agents, and eventually these contacts helped me to break in to publishing.
Why do you write? What keeps you motivated during creative slumps?
I write because I can’t stop! I love creating stories, and they’d be evolving in my head even if they never made it to paper. I love the research for my historical novels, too, and I’d say it’s the thing that keeps me motivated if the work is dragging or the deadline threatening. Diving into ancient cultures gets me jazzed to bring them back to life.
You blog about your research trips to the remnants of ancient civilizations. How much work goes into processing all the information you gather on these trips? How much additional research do you have to conduct at home?
My research is a combination of skimming the subject through light reading, deeper digging into dusty textbooks (I’m sure I’m the only one who checks them out of the library!), and the wonderful travel I’ve been blessed to be able to do. Yes, it’s a tremendous amount of information gathered while I’m there. I mostly try to focus on the sensory perceptions that you can’t get from textbooks – how far one place is from another on foot, what you can see from certain landmarks, the smells and weather and tastes and feel of the place. All that gets processed back into the books.
If Pompeii were being made into a movie, who would you pick to play Cato and Ariella?
I usually try to have images in mind for characters as I’m writing, and often it’s people I’ve seen in movies or on TV. For this book, the characters on the TV show Castle, played by Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic were in my head while I was writing.
Nathan Fillion & Stana Katic ~ Cato & Ariella?
What does a typical work day look like for you?
I try to focus on the writing first thing in the morning, for as long as I can. I feel that writing is my unique purpose, so very little should take precedence over it. Most of the time, the rest of the to-dos can wait. How long I work on writing depends on the stage I’m in. I could go all day with outlining and researching. Only a few hours if writing the first draft.
What is your beverage of choice while writing?
I’m a bit of strange one here. I have a little coffeepot in my office and every morning I make myself some combination of half-strength coffee plus tea, depending on how much caffeine I’m wanting for the day. Like I put half the amount of regular French Vanilla coffee grounds in the filter, and then put a decaffeinated French Vanilla teabag in the pot, so as the coffee streams into the pot it steeps the tea bag. Or decaf coffee and regular tea… You get the idea. Weird, I know.
What is a characteristic that you share with one of the main characters in Pompeii?
I think I have a strong personality and am a fighter, like Ariella. I work hard at the things I’m passionate about, and determined. Like Ariella, that sometimes causes me to struggle with the sovereignty of God.
Tell us about one of the most rewarding experiences you have had as an author.
I think the travel has been the best part of this journey. I’ve climbed inside the Great Pyramid, taken a ferry boat to the Greek island of Patmos, wandered the streets of Jerusalem, hiked to the top of Mt. Vesuvius over Pompeii. It’s been truly thrilling.
Who are some of your favorite authors? What other historical Christian fiction authors have inspired you?
Stephen Lawhead is one of my all-time favorites, with his brand of mythic history. I’m inspired every time I read one of his books, to make my settings come alive the way he does.
If someone was brand new to your work, what would be a good book for them to start with?
I would say to choose the setting that most appeals–Greece? Egypt? Rome? Arabia? We all have settings and cultures we’re drawn to, so find a book that matches!
What is the main thing you want readers to take away from Pompeii?
That the sovereignty of God, even if it mystifies us at times, is a good thing. It is a good thing to be in His hands, because He’s proven His love for us.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on something a little different – a contemporary story woven into an ancient story, with a character who feels like she belongs in both places, and neither. Stay tuned!
P.S. I’d love to invite your readers to my website, TLHigley.com, where I have travel journals, pictures, videos and the first three chapters of all my books to sample!
In addition to visiting her website, you can also follow Tracey on Twitter @TLHigley. You can also read my review of Pompeii and purchase a copy here.
