In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac interviews author Gemma Tizzard about her historical fiction novel, Grace Of The Empire State. The conversation explores the extensive research Gemma conducted on the construction of the Empire State Building during the Great Depression, the portrayal of strong women in her story, and the balance between her writing career and day job. Gemma shares her insights on American history, the writing process, and the importance of relationships in storytelling, all while celebrating the release of her book.
In This Episode, Michelle Talks About…
- Gemma Tizzard’s book is a historical fiction set in 1930 New York.
- The research for the book took over three years.
- Women played a crucial role during the Great Depression.
- Gemma’s background in American Studies influenced her writing.
- The writing process for the first draft took only six weeks.
- Gemma balances her writing career with a full-time job in marketing.
- The book highlights the emotional labor women undertook during tough times.
- Gemma aims to make history engaging and relatable through her storytelling.
- The importance of relationships is a central theme in the book.
- Gemma’s next project will continue exploring women’s stories in history.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Gemma Tizzard and Her Book
03:06 Researching the Empire State Building
04:54 Exploring the Historical Context and Female Perspectives
07:06 Strong Female Characters in Historical Fiction
08:45 The Realities of the Great Depression
11:04 Gemma’s Journey in American Studies
12:28 Balancing Writing with a Day Job
13:54 The Writing Process and Speed
15:56 Future Projects and Themes
18:18 Gemma’s Secret Life as a Writer
19:36 Promoting the Book and Future Plans
21:41 Capturing the Danger of Construction
24:06 The Importance of Historical Perspective
25:58 Themes of Friendship and Family
27:07 Conclusion and Where to Find Gemma
28:09 Appreciating History Through a New Lens
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