Heard it in a Love Song by Tracey Garvis Graves

Photo by Ryan Towe

On Sale Date November 9th

My favorite JOURNEY

I was a teenager in the ‘70s, and I love the music from that decade. (Please tell me I’m not the only one who loved the Rhino Record Have a Nice Day series.) I not only love music from that era, I love all kinds of music! I was surrounded by music throughout my childhood:

At home we listened to everything from opera (thank you, Dad!) to Herb Albert.
At my aunt’s home I fell in love with classical music and was introduced to my cousin’s then hot new favorite band: the Beatles.
And at my grandmother’s home I was exposed to true, classic country in the form of Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.

I’m also proud to say that I belonged to Columbia House Record Club through which I acquired albums, cassettes and, yes, 8-track tapes. In fact, I still have an 8-track player and a case of 8-track tapes. It’s great fun—and entertaining—to bring out at a dinner party.😎 Two of my personal favorites: John Denver’s Greatest Hits and Music of Cosmos, from the TV show with Carl Sagan. One of the things that I love most about music is the way it can evoke specific memories. It’s not unlike the way the aroma of your favorite food or the scent of a perfume or cologne can take you back to an exact moment. I’ve long compared mixtapes to audio journal entries. I could pop in any one of my dozens of long-cherished mixtapes, be transported back to the time when that tape was made and instantly recall the big—and important to me—events in my life from that time. I’m not sure that I have a favorite or most meaningful love song, but there’s definitely a song that still speaks to me after all of these years: U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Be Well… Pennie Clark Ianniciello

INTERVIEW WITH Tracey Garvis Graves

October 2, 2021

GENERAL QUESTIONS

How do you begin writing a new book?

Usually, by the time I’m nearing the end of writing my current book, a new idea will begin speaking to me. It gets louder and louder and I’ll start taking notes and doing some research. Then I write an outline or a beat sheet to help me figure out the overall plot and the character arcs. At some point, I can’t wait any longer and I dive in and start the first draft.

What was your favorite childhood book?

The Monster at the End of This Book! I loved it as a child, and I loved reading it to my own children.

Do you listen to music while you write, or do you need complete silence?

No music. I feel most creative in complete and total silence. I write at home on my couch or at my desk. I can’t work in libraries or coffee shops, although I sometimes wish I could.

Do you think being a writer isolates you or connects you to other people?

Both, actually. Being a writer connects me to my readers, and I have met so many wonderful people through my writing. But I often work in total isolation and sometimes wish I had a few co-workers to chat with around the water cooler.

What advice would you give to a new writer?

Don’t be afraid to write a bad first draft. You can’t revise a blank page, so just get the story down and worry about fixing everything later. And be prepared for a lot of hard work. Writing a novel is a huge undertaking, and it’s not for the faint of heart

TRACEY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

Were you ever in a band?

Nope, but it sounds like such a cool thing to be involved with.

Have you ever written music?

No, only lyrics. Heard It in a Love Song was the first time I’ve ever written lyrics to original songs.

What’s your favorite love song?

I have so many and don’t know if I can choose just one. Here are a few of my favorites: “Shameless” by Garth Brooks, “Your Song” by Elton John, and “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney.

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