Writer’s Desk Issue No: 5: Lacy Williams
We’re so excited to have Lacy Williams featured on this week’s writer’s desk. Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see on Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published fifty books in almost a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Be sure to stick around until the end of the post for more about her most recent release plus a chance to win a copy!
Do you have a writing routine? When/Where do you write?
I have four kiddos, so my most productive hours are before they wake up. Usually, I get up at 5 am to write for a couple of hours. I don’t have an office, so I usually write in a corner of the living room in a comfy/overstuffed chair. I catch up on marketing stuff during rest time/mom’s quiet time in the afternoon.
When are you most productive?
Those two hours in the morning are my most productive hours of the day. My brain is fresh and there are no interruptions. Also, I’ve started dictating over the past six months and it’s made a big difference for me in getting wordcount in.
What do you snack on or drink while writing?
M&Ms are my thing. I’m actually trying to wean off of them because I eat too many handfuls (“it’s just a few!”).
How do you overcome writer’s block?
The best way I’ve found is to slog through. Just keep going. Even if I can only get a few hundred words in that day, it still counts toward my bigger word count goal. My mastermind group recommended a book Alter Ego that has also helped break through some mental blocks for me. I’d recommend it to other writers for sure.
What is your outlining process? Are you a pantser/plotter or something in between?
I prefer to start brainstorming characters before I plot anything out. I use Susan May Warren’s Story Equation (great book!) to really get a feel for my characters and what’s going to push them outside of their comfort zones and into real conflict. I’ll do a lot of character work and then start the story knowing some major plot points but I never have an outline.
Best advice for someone who is just starting out?
Find a great writing group and get engaged. Put words on the page (over and over again). Don’t give up.
What are 3 tips you have for making romance believable in your writing?
1) Give your hero and heroine real conflict. Something in their past that they have to overcome to be whole for the other person.
2) Word hard for great dialogue. Revise, revise, revise.
3) Don’t skimp on the little moments of magic. The hand-holding. The touch on her face before they kiss. The meeting of eyes across the room.
Favorite thing to binge-watch?
I love superhero movies. Right now I’ve been binging Spiderman movies with Tom Holland.
Book(s) currently reading?
Family for Beginners by Sarah Morgan.
Favorite song right now?
My three-year-old daughter has been singing Jesus, You’re My Firm Foundation all day long, and it always makes me smile.
Favorite thing to order at Starbucks (or wherever you get your coffee/tea fix!)?
Hot Plum tea at All About Cha.
Enter to win a signed copy of His Small Town Girl from Lacy Williams*
Be sure to catch the video interview with Lacy on Friday, May 15th at 2 PM CT HERE, and be sure to join Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group so you don’t miss any of our other fun author LIVE chats coming up!
More about His Small Town Girl by Lacy Williams:
She’s sweet and wholesome. And hiding something.
He’s back home, resurrecting old ghosts.
One of them is going to get hurt.
Molly arrives in Sutter’s Hollow out of gas and out of options. The rundown ranch seems like a perfect place to hide. Except the man who owns it seems just as dangerous as what’s chasing her.
Cord’s mantra growing up? Get out of Sutter’s Hollow. Now he’s back in town, but only long enough to get rid of his grandma’s ball and chain—the ranch. He doesn’t need a complication like Molly, who reminds him of an injured baby bird. He’s no protector. So why can’t he tell her to get lost?
His Small-Town Girl is Book 1 in a brand new trilogy from Family Fiction’s #1 Essential Christian Romance Author (2020).
”Lacy’s books are just so darn cozy and wholesome, without being cloying.” WendyTheSuperLibrarian book blog
Connect with Lacy Williams
Website | Instagram | GoodReads | Facebook | Bookbub
Want more writing inspiration? You might enjoy these other posts of The Writer’s Desk:
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above
It was nice to meet you here at The Writers Desk. I don’t th I k I’ve read your books before and you are a new to me writer. Thanks for telling readers a little about yourself. Also Thanks for the giveaway book and I would love to win a copy of it.
I’m so glad that I introduced a new author to you!
I’ve read several of your books and enjoyed them!
Thanks for sharing!
I’ve seen many of her books, but never actually read them… yet. I have some on my “to be read” pile on my Kindle.
Nice to meet you Lacy.
Enjoyed reading this interview!
This would be a new author for me!
Hi, Lacey. I love reading author interviews. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your new book.
Hi, Lacey. Great interview!
Loved the interview. Lacy is a new author to me and this book sounds like one I would enjoy reading and a great start to the trilogy.
Hello Lacy,
I enjoyed reading the blog. I have been following you since I read Marrying Miss Marshall published by Love Inspired. Your work is always enjoyable.