Interview with Stacy Henrie

About the Author

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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The Interview

1. How did you get started as an author?  What or whom inspired you?
As a kid, I enjoyed writing poetry and stories and had a goal to publish a book someday. But I didn’t seriously start pursuing that dream until after my oldest son was born and I began writing when he napped. I wrote for about six years before I discovered Siri Mitchell’s books. Not only did she write clean historical romances, but they were also inspirational fiction. After reading her book She Walks in Beauty, I realized that was the genre I wanted to write—inspirational historical romance.
 
2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
I’ve written eight full length novels, but some of those early ones will remain practice novels. :) I’ve had four books published, along with a holiday novella. All of them are inspirational historical romances.
 
3. What writing projects are you currently working on?  What can you tell us about these projects?
My next book THE EXPRESS RIDER’S LADY releases from Love Inspired Historical in February 2016. It’s a fun, adventure romance set in 1860 along the Pony Express trail. Here’s the cover blurb:
 
Delsie Radford is going to make it to California, no matter the danger or difficulty. Her father may have kept her and her sister apart, but Delsie refuses to miss her sister's wedding—even with only eighteen days to get there. And she's found the perfect escort in Pony Express rider Myles Patton. 

Myles can't believe it when a pretty socialite hires him to take her cross-country through rough terrain and dangerous territory. Surely she'll quit before they reach their destination—he's known girls like her before. But the longer they ride together, the more Myles notices Delsie's toughness and kindness beneath her polished exterior. And though they may be worlds apart…they might just be perfect for each other.

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4. What does your writing process look like?
I usually research first, to get a feel for the time period. Then I’ll write the whole story, working off a loose outline, over the course of a couple of months. Once I have the whole story down, I’ll go back and edit. 

5. Where is your favorite place to write?
I used to write on my laptop while sitting up in bed. But earlier this year, I carved out a work space of my own! I converted a corner of my room into a mini office—and I love working there.

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.