Interview with Author Tara Grace Ericson

We're so excited that Tara Grace Ericson was able to join us for the Romance Reading Roadtrip while it stopped over in Missouri!

Can you tell me a little about yourself and your books? 

I am a stay at home mother of three boys. We live in a small town in the Ozarks of Missouri. I worked as an engineer before deciding to pursue being an author full-time! I love Hiking, traveling, cooking, and of course, reading!

What's a day in the life for you as a writer?

2. What's a day in the life for you as a writ

Writing is something that I have to squeeze into the margins of my day. We are homeschooling and my family is my number one priority. I can’t say that I have a typical day writing, but I try to find blocks of time throughout my week that I can make a little progress. I have an assistant that helps me manage some of the day-to-day operations of my writing business and that helps me focus on the books themselves and my family. 

Can you tell me a little more about your book we are spotlighting? 

The One Who Got Away is a small town, second chance, romance with a firefighter and an aspiring actress! When she comes back to town to care for her mother, after an injury, the two former best friends decide the best way to avoid the matchmaking schemes of the locals is to pretend they are dating! It, of course, spirals quickly into something they didn’t expect.

Since this is called the Romance Reading Roadtrip, and we are visiting Missouri with this interview, are there ways that you bring your state, the state culture, and more into your books? If so, what did you bring into your books and characters that is very Missouri?

I started writing when I lived in Indiana, but I didn’t have as much actual small town experience there. When we moved to our town of 3000 people, I wasn’t used to seeing a tractor parked outside of Subway! Much of my fictional small town of Minden, Indiana has been influenced by my real town here in Missouri!

What comes first when you're writing? The character or the plot? And why?

I consider myself a premise writer, and I come up with the general storyline first. Then, I like to imagine what kind of characters would be the most fun to walk-through that particular set of circumstances!

I know this question is a love hate type of question for authors, but where do you get your inspiration? And what inspired you for your book?

I can get inspired by almost anything! I’ve had stories inspired by friends, movies, news, articles, etc. I also have stories that I feel are divinely inspired! After writing over 30 books, the ideas are still the easy part for me!

Are you working on anything new right now?

I am working on writing a Christmas book. Christmas in Redemption Ridge is a series I share with five other authors, and I am writing an “accidentally married” story for it this year!

If you were to go on a roadtrip what's the one book you'd bring with you? And why?

There’s no way I could choose just one book! I would definitely have to load up my Kindle, preferably with a whole series to binge! 

If the main characters from your book were to go on a roadtrip where would they go?

If Bryce and Krystal went on a road trip, I think they would go to Colorado! Living in the flatlands of western Indiana, they would definitely love to see the mountains.

And what snacks and/or drinks would they bring with them?

Both Bryce and Krystal are pretty dedicated to taking good care of their bodies, Bryce because of his firefighting career and Krystal because of her acting. As much as it pains me, they would probably bring healthy snacks like nuts and jerky!

As a part of the roadtrip, what things in your state would you recommend people check out if they ever vacation, travel through, or come to Missouri? 

Visitors should definitely spend time in St. Louis! There are tons of free things like the art museum and the zoo. The arch is a landmark for a reason also! Missouri has beautiful state parks. Ha Ha Tonka near Lake of the Ozarks, Johnson Shut ins, and Elephant rock state park in southeast Missouri are also beautiful. 

Any good food or coffee recommendations in your area that are very Missouri?

My area of Missouri is famous for “Springfield style cashew chicken”, And St. Louis is famous for gooey butter cake and toasted ravioli. Probably my biggest recommendation is to visit Kansas City and find some good barbecue!

And then where can people find you and your books?

You can find me and info about my books at www.taragraceericson.com