We were lucky to catch up with Becky Tzag recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Becky thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

It sounds cliche, but the ideas for my books just kind of float into my head.
I’ve always kind of come up with scenes in my mind, creating characters and situations for them and let them play it out. Full conversations happen in my brain between people who don’t exist in the real world.
It wasn’t until a scene stubbornly refused to leave a couple of years ago that I thought about writing it down. Once I had it typed out, I figured that would be that.
But then I started to wonder, who are these people? How did they get there? What happens next?
I’ve always been able to move past an imaginary story, but not this time. So I kept writing, and before I knew it, I had 20,000 words. I decided to publish it for fun, just something I could have on my bookshelf. Maybe my husband and sister would also read it.
And then people I didn’t know read it, and loved it! They asked for more!
Luckily, Harper whispered to me that she has three cousins.

That scene was the first kiss in my first book, Just Friends with a Prince. And those cousins each got a book.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I like to call my books “hot hallmark”. They’re happy, cozy, low angst, and spicy!

I wanted to create a world where everyone supports each other, without question. Where friends are family. Where found families stand up for what’s right. Where love is love.

My hope is that readers can relate to my characters. That they see themselves in my books and realize they matter, that they’re brave and strong and that they’re important. That they’re worthy of love and happiness even if they’re quiet or shy or uncertain.

We have so much to worry about in real life right now, and I wanted my books to be a place where people can escape. Where reading feels like hanging out with friends and being wrapped in a warm blanket.

I write about finding your place in life and becoming content with who you are. My characters don’t have to change their personalities for someone to fall in love with them. They’re loved because of who they are, and are given space to become comfortable with that.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

There are plenty of “rules” around writing. We’re taught from a young age how to write. The exact formula needed for it to be a “good” story.
However, these rules can often be rigid and can hinder creativity.
So, my biggest piece of advice is to write however works for you.
I write mostly on my couch with my laptop. It works better for me than at a desk, even though having an office setup is a “rule”.
If you’re a plotter, plot away! Write an outline. Make bullet points. Make lists.
If you’re like me and plotting stresses you out, just start writing and see where the story takes you! (That’s called being a pantser).

Write your story in the way that best works for you. Sometimes it takes a little while to figure out what’s best for your style/personality/schedule, don’t worry if someone else follows a strict routine and it doesn’t work for you.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, having a reader message me saying they loved my book/character/scene really does make my day! I will squeal and jump for joy and make a big deal about it.
And when that reader tells me they felt seen through a character, that brings tears to my eyes.
My favourite reaction to a character has been to Sadie, from my fourth book “Just For Fun”. She’s a quiet, shy introvert who loves tea. Her idea of fun is reading a new smutty romance. I didn’t realize how many people were going to love her. How many people would message me, thanking me for a character like that, who the MMC didn’t try to change or make extroverted. Whose summer fun bucket list was made up of things like “go strawberry picking”, and “go to a new beach”, not things that would be way out of her comfort zone. People appreciate her because they are her.
And the truth is, I am Sadie. I wrote Sadie based on how I feel, how I think, how I move around in the world, and knowing readers fell in love with her means more to me than I could ever adequately express.
It’s validating and empowering.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beckytzag.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/beckytzagauthor
• Other: https://www.threads.net/@beckytzagauthor
  

  @becky.tzag.author

  https://mybook.to/Justloveseries