​1. How did you get started as an author?  What or whom inspired you?
 It’s hard for me to get used to the idea of being an author when my passion has always been illustration, but I think it was in high school, after reading the Inkheart trilogy, that I decided I could do both if I tried really really hard. Looking at Funke’s illustrations at the end of each chapter gave me a different experience from the story, and it solidified my idea that pictures could tell their own story. I hope that The Time Key will give readers what Inkheartinspired in me.
 
2. What writing projects are you currently working on?  What can you tell us about these projects?
I’m starting the research stage of a story I’ve wanted to tell since high school. There are a lot of doodles, but no solid storyline yet. I will say it follows a minor character in The Time Key and a lot of it takes place during a similar version of our own World War I.
 
3. What does your writing process look like?
 It looks like a jumble of scattered notes and papers everywhere. Honestly, I have no organized process. If I have an idea I will write it down wherever I can (I have a few Walmart receipts filled with notes). I usually keep a notebook or a sketchbook with me so that I can jot down whatever pops into my head. Generally, I start toying with an idea and try to build a story from it, all the while I research. I will read everything I can about the subject to feel comfortable about the time period and setting so that the prose feels authentic. When I have a good feel for the characters I will jump right into the story, and at this point not a lot of editing goes on until I finish, which allows me to be as creative as possible. A lot of this beginning process will include thumbnail sketches of what I want the characters to look like, how they interact with each other. Very similar to what you would see in the process of making an animated movie. Doodling helps me brainstorm and reach deeper into my imagination.
 
4. What authors/novels that you enjoy would you recommend?
If you are really into time-traveling, I highly recommend 11/22/63 by Stephen King. It was a long read, but so worth it. I also enjoy Markus Zusak and Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
 
5. What period of history interests you the most?
I really love the early 20th century. As an artist, I love studying the art movements evolving during the first half of the century, and as a reader there is something I find refreshing in a lot of books that came out of that time period. A lot of cultural changes were happening all around the world during this time, which I find fascinating.
 
6. What inspired the idea for your idea for The Time Key?
A lot of ideas over the years went into writing The Time Key, but it really all came together just before my daughter turned one. My husband and I were having a discussion and he mentioned that if anything ever happened to our daughter and me he would probably turn into a miserable drunk. That’s when Stanley came to life for me, and the rest of the plot just came along as I wrote.
 
7. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
Besides sketching, I love fishing and hiking, or anything outdoorsy with my little family. 

Stacy Henrie has always had a love for history, fiction, and chocolate. She earned her B.A. in public relations before turning her attentions to raising a family and writing inspirational historical romances. Wife of an entrepreneur husband and a mother to three, Stacy loves to live out history through her fictional characters. In addition to author, she is also a reader, a road trip enthusiast, and a novice interior decorator.

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6. How important are the names in your novels? How do you choose names for your characters?  Do you have any name resources you would suggest?
I always know the names of my characters before I start writing their story, and typically, I know what letter those names should start with before I have the names figured out. My favorite resource is the Social Security site for Most Popular Names. You can see lists of popular names clear back to 1880. Which helps a lot with writing historical romance!
 
7. What authors/novels that you enjoy would you recommend?
As I said earlier, I love Siri Mitchell’s books. I’m also a fan of Karen Witemeyer, Elizabeth Camden, and Denise Hunter. And Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano.
 
8. Where is your favorite place to read and why?
My favorite place to read is in bed. A second favorite would be sitting on the shores of Bear Lake.  

9. What period of history interests you the most?
I loved learning about WWI for my Of Love and War series. It was a time I knew little about prior to writing those books, but it’s quickly become a favorite. It was such an interesting time, not only in terms of conflict but in social, political, and technological changes. I also love the Old West, and lately, I’ve been learning about the Edwardian era, which is another fascinating time period.
 
10. If you could choose someone famous to star in one of your books made to a movie, who would you choose and for which character?
For my next historical western, THE EXPRESS RIDER’S LADY, I would choose Lily Collins to play my heroine Delsie Radford. She and Delsie share the same youthfulness, dark hair, and natural beauty.
 
11. What inspired the idea for the Of Love and War series?
I had the idea for HOPE RISING (Book 2) first—about a pregnant, unwed nurse who falls in love with a wounded soldier in France. Then when I decided to make that story into a series, I came up with a plot for the soldier’s sister back in Iowa. And from there the series was born!
 
12. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
Reading, digital scrapbooking, interior decorating and watching movies.  

Interview originally received from author August 2015.

​He was raised by a roaming aerospace engineer, growing up in various parts of the United States and Europe, as well as traveling through Asia. He took to stories as his anchor, including the works of Asimov, Bradbury, and Heinlein, and has been writing since age eleven.

Growing up, he was inspired by his father’s engineering work on cutting-edge aerospace projects to look to the future.

In an ideal world, Lance would find time loops where he could step out for a week at a time to read and write. Then he would return to the moment he left, without life getting in the way. Of course, since everyone would have the same ability, he suspects life would still sneak in.

Lance is also the author of short stories and novelettes.

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Marguerite Martin Gray enjoys the study of history, especially when combined with fiction. An avid traveler and readers, she teaches French and has degrees in French, Spanish, and Journalism from trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Recently, she received a MA in English from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. She has two grown children and currently lives with her husband and Cleo, her cat, in Abilene, Texas.

​1. How did you get started as an author? What or whom inspired you?
My number one love since a child has been reading. I read and continue to read anything I can get my hands on. I have always enjoyed writing, too, starting with daily journaling since the fifth grade. In high school I leaned toward Journalism and continued that route in college with a BA in Journalism. But I noticed and my professors hounded me about my writing being more creative than journalistic. I give blame to my constant nose in a book, whether a children’s book about animals especially Black Beauty or a Nancy Drew Mystery or a classic like Jane Eyre or an epic tale like The Source by James A. Michener. When I finally started putting all my thoughts on paper, my children were grown. I started working part-time and spent the other half of my day writing. Within a few years, I had written six novels. My husband encouraged me to write and my parents inspired me from childhood until today with educational opportunities through travel, books, and continuous family stories.

2. What is your current WIP? What can you share with us about this project?
I have completed Book Two Surround Me and Book Three Bring Me Near of the Revolutionary Faith Series. The Pre-revolution story of the citizens of Charles Town continues. I plan to release Surround Me in the fall of 2016. This summer I will begin researching and writing Book Four Draw Me to Your Side.
Also, I have another series called Gardens in Time. I have loved the research for each of these novels. The first two are completed and waiting for publication. The first is Labor of Love, 1550 Florence, Italy in the Boboli Gardens. Number two is Promise of Purity, 1660 Hampton Court, England. I’ve begun the research on number three taking place in 1740, Chenonceau, France. The last will be 1850 at Middleton, South Carolina.
I am busy writing and researching and have other ideas for the future.

3. What authors inspire your writing?
Where do I start? I have many favorites. Although I read across the genres, I tend to always have a Historical Christian Fiction open and ready to devour. My favorite general authors are James A. Mitchner, Edward Rutherford, and Jean Plaidy. I have read every one of Plaidy’s books on the kings and queens of England, France and Italy. After being introduced to the writing of Lori Wick, I added Christian authors to my library including Siri Mitchell, Dawn Crandall, Laura Frantz, Julie Klassen, Karen Witemeyer, and Jamie Carie….and many more. I’m constantly adding new ones. I’m inspired by their stories of faith, love, and hope.

4. What inspired the idea for Hold Me Close?
Hold Me Close is a story about Louis Lestarjette, a Frenchman arriving in Charles Town in 1772. My great-great-….grandfather, Louis Lestarjette, came from France in 1770. I’ve always been fascinated with his life and dreams. What would bring a man to the colonies at this time? Why would he stay? So, I created a story around the facts that I knew. I wanted to breathe life into characters in this time period against the backdrop of the pending revolution. They love, eat, dance, cry, hurt and dream like we do.  I travelled to Charleston and walked in his steps, worshiped where he worshiped, saw where he lived and my imagination took flight. The joy of fiction…he lives on the pages today. Perhaps not the same Louis but a very, realistic, interesting rendition.

5. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
By all means, reading. The good thing about reading is that books can travel. I always have a destination in mind and a plan in the works for my leisure time. I try to go to Europe every two years. Each summer I go on a mission trip to a foreign country—Guatemala for the past three years. I do research for my books in the country or city of the setting, so I’m constantly on the lookout for a new exciting place.  Walking occupies a portion of my time, as well as watching movies, photography, and spending time with my husband and family.