BY AVELLINA BALESTRI

Avellina Balestri: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

Lynne Tagawa: I’m a science teacher by training. I taught in small Christian schools and then taught my own children (four boys). I came to writing late in life.

Avellina Balestri: What first inspired you to start writing?

Lynne Tagawa: I was approached by the principal at the church school where I taught. He wanted help in choosing a Texas history curriculum. The books were boring, but the people were not. Long story short, I wrote my own, in narrative form (Sam Houston’s Republic).

Avellina Balestri: How did you first become interested in history, and what are your favorite time periods?

Lynne Tagawa: Of course, Sam Houston piqued my interest, and a little genealogy work contributed. But homeschooling my children (after the school shut down) got me interested in history. It’s His Story, for one thing. And so much of the Christian content is omitted from modern narratives, both fiction and nonfiction. American history is my favorite.

Avellina Balestri: What started you on the journey of historical fiction writing in particular?

Lynne Tagawa: One thing I noticed was that no one wrote stories during the time of the Great Awakening. This was a huge, transformative period of colonial American history, and it was neglected. So, I decided to write one (The Shenandoah Road). 

Avellina Balestri: What are your favorite and least favorite parts of working within the historical fiction genre?

Lynne Tagawa: I love research. You can tell when someone has done his or her research. It’s difficult to include those wonderful details without swamping your reader. You want a sleek, readable story with a you-are-there vibe. Hard to do! So this is my favorite and hardest part—all in one!

Avellina Balestri: How have you chosen which historical characters to feature in your books, and what made their stories resonate with you?

Lynne Tagawa: Some people I have avoided. For example, George Washington is simply too iconic to get too close to. However, in both The Heart of Courage and A Fallen Sparrow we get solid glimpses of him. In Sparrow (set during the Revolution) I only give him dialogue we know he actually spoke. We get a view of him a soldier might have had. He’s so important, so I’m careful.

Lesser-known people are easier in that regard. They are the jewels in my books. Like a minister in the Shenandoah Valley during the middle of the 18th century, a solid preacher of the gospel. But when he hears of revival, he’s dubious. He hears of excesses (these doubts were real, and shared by others). My character hands him a book—Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections, dealing with these very issues. Could it have happened? Maybe. 

Avellina Balestri: What is your process in terms of research and bringing historical characters to life?

Lynne Tagawa: Before I write a word, I read several books on the time period. I look for biographies. Sometimes I really have to scrounge—bits of information on genealogy websites, for example.

Sometimes, the timeline and major events are laid out for me by what I discover. Some things you just can’t make up—reality can be stranger than fiction!

Avellina Balestri: What is your method to integrate fictional characters and situations into the historical setting?

Lynne Tagawa: It is often easy to find ways to get my characters into important events. In Courage, one character joins the militia and goes north to join Washington and Braddock (French and Indian War). He’s injured and experiences the horrific retreat from the bed of a wagon. Ends up at Mount Vernon. Meanwhile, the heroine is in Williamsburg, going to a gala with a young Thomas Jefferson.

In Sparrow, my character is part of several battles while the heroine worries in Philadelphia. She hears the Declaration of Independence read for the first time. But it’s not just a matter of placing them there. They are experiencing mental, emotional, and even spiritual struggles—trying to understand and grapple with reality as it unfolds.

Avellina Balestri: If you had the chance to convey a message to your favorite historical characters, what would it be?

Lynne Tagawa: I would say something encouraging to men like Benjamin Rush. Men who often became discouraged or even depressed because of not just overwhelming odds—they also experienced the squabbles that occur whenever humans are involved.

Avellina Balestri: What do you find more enjoyable/difficult: First drafts or editing/rewriting?

Lynne Tagawa: I guess the main writing process is the most enjoyable, although it can be rewarding to edit things into shape. Seeing a story emerge that works and flows, and that is readable—and interesting to others—is very rewarding.

Avellina Balestri: How have you gone about publicizing yourself and your works?

Lynne Tagawa: In ordinary ways. Paid ads and so forth. Giveaways and promotions.

Avellina Balestri: What are some of the main themes/morals you would like readers to take away from your works?

Lynne Tagawa: I would like to say, gospel truth, but that is a wide subject! In Shenandoah, I touch on important doctrines, like justification, because of the situation (the Great Awakening). In Sparrow, I address two things: how did the Patriots justify resistance to tyranny biblically? And, how would a Christian react to possible defeat? After all, the Patriots didn’t know what we know. They didn’t know the end of the story.

Avellina Balestri: What is some advice you would give aspiring authors, especially those focusing on the historical fiction genre? 

Lynne Tagawa: I would say to treat the time period as a character. Even if your focus is on a romantic relationship, don’t treat the setting as a two-dimensional backdrop. Use your research to flesh out your characters and the conflicts they experience. 

Avellina Balestri: Plug your socials, published works, and current projects!

Lynne Tagawa: Connect with me on Facebook or on Twitter (@LynneTagawa). Sign up for my newsletter via my website: lynnetagawa.com.

The Shenandoah Road, The Heart of Courage, and A Fallen Sparrow are all available on audiobook as well as kindle and print on Amazon.

Coming soon: The Root of the Matter: A Time Travel Novel (The American Puritans Book One). Updates available via my newsletter!