Tracie Peterson
7 min read ⭑
“The heart of my ministry is to encourage reconciliation. That might come between the readers and people in their lives or between the readers and God. Either way, it is a labor of love that I believe God has given me to share.”
Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian fiction,” Tracie Peterson is a best-selling author of over 140 books. Throughout her career, she’s earned multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers and the Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times. Not only an author, Tracie has also worked as managing editor of Heartsong Presents and Barbour Publishing, and she helped co-found the American Christian Fiction Writers organization.
Tracie takes time in this interview to share what motivates and inspires her writing. She shares about her musical family who challenged her to dig deeper in her faith, her heart for forgiveness and reconciliation and how it shows up in her works, and how the practice of quilting has become spiritual in nature and connects her to the past.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
The meals we enjoy are about so much more than the food we eat. So, how does a "go-to" meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?
I live in Montana, in a tiny town that if you blink too long you'll miss it. The beauty of this valley, with mountain ranges on either side, is an incredible blessing. We’re pretty laid back and rural here. People still help one another when they see a need and wave to each other when they pass on the road. Since most of my family lives elsewhere, we have looked to our church for that family connection. Thus, our church monthly potlucks are my favorite meals out. Once a month, we all bring our favorite foods and, after church, we eat as a family. There is so much laughter, conversation and great fellowship, and, of course, no one cooks like church ladies...and a few church gentlemen. There’s no sense of rushing through to get elsewhere and no thoughts of whether we can afford this meal out. We just sit and listen and talk and eat, loving and encouraging each other in the Lord. We get fed in so many more ways than with mere food.
Sarah Elizabeth; Unsplash
QUESTION #2: REVEAL
We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So, what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activity do you love engaging in that also helps you find essential spiritual renewal?
I love quilting. I’m not the best in the world at it, but I keep giving it my best when time allows. I come from a family background of women who quilted and sewed for their families. I learned it early on and loved the process of creating something useful and lovely. Those women have now passed from this earthly life, but I have other women who have come alongside to offer their insight on quilting. It has become a spiritual thing for me. Fellowship and discussion about the old days and of the craft itself always enthrall me. I feel a strange connection with past generations as I sew. I find myself wondering about those women and their quilting times together — the laughter and the sorrows shared, discussion of their fears and ambitions. Like the pieces of material that we put together, those memories and stories come together as a rich tapestry of who I am. I cherish it as a constant reminder.
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness; every human, too. We're just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So, what’s your kryptonite and how do you confront its power head-on?
It’s always been easy for me to take offense for loved ones. When I see someone I care about being wronged in some way, I am the first to jump on the bandwagon of offense. I want to shout for justice, for retribution and sometimes even for revenge. I am fiercely loyal and want only good and beneficial things to come to my loved ones — which, of course, we all know isn’t at all realistic. Over the years I’ve gone so far as to take up offense for friends and continue carrying it long after they’ve even forgotten there was an offense to take up. God has dealt with my heart on this matter over and over. He has gently, and sometimes not so gently, reminded me that it isn’t my place to take offense, but rather to come alongside in love and encouragement, to pray with my loved ones, and to give it all over to the Father. It’s not always easy — that’s for sure. Still, I strive to make that change.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?
My writing has always been a ministry to me. I knew early on that I would serve God with it and endeavor to always share the Gospel message as well as Biblical application. Currently, I am working on a series set in Minneapolis. It will be a generational, three-book series that deals with a family devoted to helping with the poor, orphaned, homeless (or friendless, as they were often called in the late 1800s). My story is historical in setting, as usual for me. I love the intense research I do, and I strive to be as accurate as possible for each and every book. I believe I owe that trust to my readers who have come to expect it from me over the years. The theme of forgiveness makes its way into each and every book that I write. Forgiving is such a critical part of who we are as Christians. I often show characters who are struggling to forgive because I know that I have struggled. I want to show those who are humbled and blessed by forgiveness because I’ve been there as well. The heart of my ministry is to encourage reconciliation. That might come between the readers and people in their lives or between the readers and God. Either way, it is a labor of love that I believe God has given me to share.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Cashiers, CEOs, contractors, or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it's God when it happens?
I couldn’t do what I do without the Holy Spirit’s guidance, direction, counsel and encouragement. So often I write about things that I truly have no deep knowledge of, but then God directs me to those places where I learn all that I need. He sends incredible people into my life who love to talk about what they know. And He’s given me the ability to listen and understand. I once wrote about infertility, a problem I definitely didn't have. After the book came out, I had so many letters from women who told me that I had written their hearts on the pages of that book — that surely I must have suffered the same problem as they did. It made me so very aware of the power of words, as well as the Holy Spirit’s ability to give me a heart and understanding for problems that I’d never suffered.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So, let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?
Quiet time in prayer has always had such a dynamic affect on my life and spiritual walk. Just spending time with God, even in silence, has been one of the biggest blessings. Knowing he listens, that he is really there and cares, is all I could ever hope for. He is the only constant in my life, and for me that is so precious. I love prayer time, whether by myself or in a group setting. I always come away refreshed and confident that God has heard my heart and that I have been in his presence.
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and your heart?
People, music and books have been powerful resources in my life. I grew up in a Christian family, and they were actively involved in church music. My mother and her sisters often sang for church, and my uncles and grandmother played piano and organ for services. We had Christian music playing in the house often, and it was a vital part of daily worship for me. Those people were also such a great resource of encouragement and challenge. They made me think. They challenged me to dig and look for greater depth in my spiritual walk. I was often given books as gifts, and spiritual books were definitely a vital part of my growth. I remember reading Catherine Marshall’s “A Closer Walk.” What a blessing that book was to my heart. There are so many others — Hannah Whitehall Smith, C.S. Lewis and Oswald Chambers, to name just a few.
We all have things we cling to to survive or even thrive in our fast-paced, techno-driven world. How have you been successful in harnessing technology to aid in your spiritual growth?
I’m not real techy, to be honest. I have a good friend who continues to drag me, kicking and screaming, into the use of wonderful new apps and programs. Otherwise, I might never venture there. I love Blue Letter Bible, Got Questions?, and having my Bible in several different translations available on my phone. I can also read “My Utmost for His Highest” and “Daily Streams” from apps. It’s definitely allowed me to just pick up and read the Bible and do impromptu studies while waiting for someone at the doctor, but I much prefer books. Getting quiet with a book or five and digging into a Bible study on paper makes me focus and takes me out of the world and technology, which way too often distracts me.
QUESTION #8: dream
God's continually stirring new things in each of us. So, give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
I will continue to serve God in whatever direction he takes me. Lately, he’s encouraged me to do more teaching, so that’s a direction I’m gearing up for and participating in. I’m active in teaching a Bible study at church, mentoring new Christians and helping teach some basics of storytelling to new authors. God continues to amaze me in the various ways he can use me. My goal is to always be ready to answer his call and share the hope that is within me.
Tracie’s heart for reconciliation spills over into her work as her characters grapple with the reality of forgiveness. Reconciliation is a ministry given to us by God. 2 Corinthians 5:18,19 says this: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” How does the ministry of reconciliation show up in your life? Is there a relationship in your past that needs to be reconciled? Is there someone who comes to mind who needs to know the forgiveness offered through Jesus?
Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of over 140 books. Her work earned her the Life Time Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2011 and the Career Achievement Award in 2007 from Romantic Times, as well as multiple best book awards. Throughout her career, Tracie has also worked as a managing editor of Heartsong Presents, Barbour Publishing and helped co-found the American Christian Fiction Writer’s organization. She makes her home in Montana with husband Jim.
