Please give a warm welcome to Tracy Lee, author of Personal Experiences and Personal Possessions.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working or promoting.
I am a mother of 4 children. I am originally from Tampa, Florida. I now live with husband and kids outside Tulsa, Oklahoma. My most recently published book is book 2 in the Personal Series, Personal Possessions. Book 1 is Personal Experiences.

What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
My genre has been erotica but I am having ideas of a project down the road that would be transitioning over into YA, this makes me nervous.

What advice do you have for writers just starting out?
My advice to new writers would be don’t ever give up! If you believe in what you write, then believe strong…don’t let anyone take that passion away from you.

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
I usually outline my stories first but then once I get started, the outlines flies out the window.

What does your writing space look like?
Since I have so many kids, I don’t have a concrete writing area. I usually grab my laptop and sit on my bed or out in the living room. I fan all my notes out in front of me and get to it. I have a tendency to be disoriented but there is always a method to my madness. I end up having to write late at night because I have to wait until everyone goes to bed.

What challenges have you faced in your writing career?
The biggest challenge I have faced as a writer was when I was writing Personal Possessions. I find that I am an “emotional” writer. I tend to favor the female characters because I can get on their emotional level. When I write the men characters, I find myself struggling to keep the emotion out of it. I think I wrote the first 3 chapters of Possessions 5 different times since it is Trevor’s book.

What project are you currently working on?
The project that I am currently working on is a book titled Stronger and I cannot wait to be able to share more details on it!

What has been your best moment as a writer?
I think the best moment of being a writer was that moment when I opened up that first email back from my beta reader regarding my first book. I cried! Seeing those words “I couldn’t sleep until I finished your book.” hit me so hard. I never thought my words would affect people that way. When I started Personal Experiences, I never intended to publish it, I didn’t even outline it, I just began writing but sent it to my best friend and she told me that if I didn’t publish it, she would. I didn’t even know where to start. *laughing* Seeing those reviews that read “I’ve never read a love story so real.” Still gives me goosebumps.

Do you base your characters on people you know?
I always have someone that I know personally inspire my characters. I love how different each of my friend’s personalities are and I love showing them off in my characters. I might have a friend who seems outgoing but yet, they hold back. The character that I base on their personality is raw and doesn’t hold back. I want them to see that I realize that beautiful character in them and it shows their ability.

Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why, if yes?
Has any book ever changed your life, I read this question and almost skipped it but I decided to answer it. I’ve never been diagnosed with ADHD but I have the attention span of a gnat…Growing up, I would rather listen to fingernail run the length of a chalkboard then pick up a book and read. I was a total movie buff. If I had a report due, I would rent the movie! Still to this day, some books I have issues. I don’t know why or even remember how I came across At Peace by Kristen Ashley. I thought to myself, there’s no way I will see the back of this book. The books was…its even hard to describe it. It was as if a door was open, I could see why so many people read. My imagination came to life, I would come to a climactic moment, I could feel my heartbeat pounding. I thought, My God, this is so much better than movies! I was addicted after that point. If I’m not writing, I’m reading. I can’t get enough now, and I think I’ve read At Peace over thirty times! Thanks Kristen!

You can find Tracy at her website, Facebook page, and Twitter.