To writing books of love: turns romantic novelist
holidays once the assignments were in.
“It was really hard work for a year, especially while still doing photography work – in fact, I think I’m still recovering!”
Tracy found husband of 28 years, Phil, a huge support throughout.
“Phil read every single word I wrote and got out his big red pen with corrections,” she said.
“He’s always been a good barometer. He didn’t really grasp why there had to be conflict though – largely because we don’t have any in our relationship.
“I had to tell him that’s all part of the story though.”
The novel, Her Brooding Scottish Heir, a Mills and Boon, and written under the pseudonym Ella Hayes, tells the story of Milla O’brien running away from a broken engagement to the Scottish Highlands only to arrive during a lavish wedding on the estate – and a chance meeting with the bride’s brother and brooding heir Cormac Buchanan.
“It’s kind of similar to my chance meeting with Phil… we first crossed paths when I went to visit a friend he was staying with and he answered the door. “And the rest, as they say, is history.” Now she’s hopeful her debut novel, released on December 27, will make history too.
“It’s like any rom com, all to do with the will they or won’t they as well as the happy ever after. It’s a hard balance to strike.
“I was basically walking a tightrope for the full 50,000 words.
“But the ultimate thing for me when doing any job is whether people will like it.
“Romance always boils down to telling a story, whether in pictures or words, so hopefully I’ve mastered writing it down as well as doing it through the lens of a camera.”
Tracy has already started penning her second novel, also set in Scotland – and this time she plans to publish under her own name.
“I’ve shot my last wedding and am going to concentrate on writing instead,” she said.
“It started with a chapter and now I’m moving onto a new one of those in my own life – and I’m very excited to see how things develop.”