Traci E. Langston Interview Published on: 06, Mar 2024
Can you share a bit about your early childhood and how your love for storytelling began?
My mother taught me to read at the age of three and instilled in me a love of words and books.
What sparked your decision to explore various genres in your writing, and how do you navigate the diverse storytelling landscapes?I have a lot of ideas rolling around in my head. They don't all fall neatly into one genre. When I start a book, I work on it until it is done. This keeps my brain in the same voice and genre for that book.
Given your belief in not setting limits, how do you find inspiration for your books, particularly those outside your personal experiences?Books let us live outside ourselves. We get to explore places, adventures and personalities that may be far from our own. I daydream, get ideas from the world around me and also think about what I would like as a reader.
In drawing from your own life for many of your books, how do you balance the fine line between personal authenticity and creating fictional narratives?Well, several of my books are autobiographical so they are easy. The others I may take a moment from my own life and embellish it a bit for entertainment value.
Your writing spans genres, but is there a particular genre that you find most challenging or rewarding to write in?YA scares me so I have yet to try that. That is a very tough audience. Mystery seems complicated and I don't really read it either. I love the erotic romance because you can just go wild and have fun.
Can you share an example of a real-life experience that significantly influenced one of your books, and how it shaped the narrative?Well, obviously my non-fiction books are based on real experiences. I have had to eat from food banks and I do see ghosts. Those are just part of my life. But trying to date a celebrity was not intended to be a book until I saw all the varied responses I was receiving. I now understand the phrase "it wrote itself."
Your statement about not having limits in writing extends to your foray into erotica. How do you approach writing in this genre, considering its unique challenges and audience expectations?Each of my erotica books stands alone and I make some fun games for myself beforehand. For instance, in "Passion's Plunder" they never have intercourse. Making a book sexy without having sex was a challenge I gave myself. In "Passion's Orbit" I designed 11 sexual encounters to honor Apollo 11. They are also novellas so they can be enjoyed in an afternoon. I always hate getting into a good novel and having to set it aside because the real world is calling. My books are an escape. You can return to life when the story is over.
In light of your diverse writing, how do you hope your books simultaneously entertain, educate, and enlighten readers around the world?This is where my Lady Baldrick books land. I try to think of them being read aloud by Mr. Rogers. He would talk about the cute photographs of my cat but also the importance of imagination and play, not being afraid, feeling okay if you are different and having friends that may be different. I also approach scary things life major life changes or a relative with dementia.
Given your statement that writing makes you happy, can you elaborate on the specific aspects of the writing process that bring you joy?Well, once I get a story out it is a huge relief. Until that moment it is like having a bunch of people living in my head taking my attention until I give them a home in a book. Every time I make a sale I get a thrill knowing that someone I have never met has read something I wrote. My books have been read in 10 countries on 5 continents. I have communicated with people around the globe through my words. That is magical.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers who may feel constrained by the notion of "writing what they know"?If they feel limited by that "rule", ignore it. Write what you don't know. Make it up! There are a lot of books written about spies by people who aren't spies. Books about dinosaurs by people who I can guarantee, have never seen a living dinosaur. Other writers pull from their imagination, not their life, and write straight fantasy.
Your acknowledgment of never having killed a man stands out. How do you approach writing about experiences or actions you haven't personally encountered, and what research methods do you employ?Writers always laugh about their search histories on their computers and it is true of mine too. I check a variety of websites and I also have an extensive library of books on some pretty strange topics. I found a book at an estate sale on the history of a profession (I won't tell which so there are no spoilers) and I knew I needed the book for research because I was going to make that profession sexy somehow. That book gave me an idea and will help me throw a detail or fact into the erotic story.
As someone who aims to entertain, educate, and enlighten, how do you gauge the impact of your books on readers, and what feedback has resonated with you the most?I am floored when I meet an author and they know who I am or have heard of one of my books. We as authors read a lot and I have had this happen by authors in the same genres as my books (both children's and erotica). I have also had people practically beg me to tell them the true name of celebrities in my book and I won't. I have received hugs from people who read about my challenges with poverty. Each reaction has suited the book so in that way, I know I have reached people as I intended.
Do you find that your international audience responds differently to certain themes or genres in your writing? How does cultural diversity influence your storytelling?All my books are in English so I know that I do have some language limits. I have noticed some patterns with the erotica sales depending on setting of the story. I know there are some countries my erotica will not do well because of social attitudes. However, my children's books have done well. That is a big advantage to writing in different genres. I try to provide something for everyone, no matter their location or taste.
Looking ahead, what goals do you have for your writing, and how do you envision the evolution of your craft in the future?Well, this counts as only my 4th interview I have ever given. I am a fairly reclusive writer. I don't set up booths or do readings. I write for me. That has always been how I write. I know a part of me feels a bit worried that if I really started talking to my readers, I may get insecure about my writing or try to write to please them more than myself and that would change my writing voice and cause it to suffer. I just want to continue to write whatever crazy stuff pops into my head and enjoy what I am doing. I have no idea where that will take me. (But I did get some giant bulletin boards lately and I have gone crazy with notes and ideas. So exciting!!)
How long have you been associated with AllAuthor? How has your experience been?I have been with AllAuthor for several years now. I love it. It is a very supportive community.
