Tracy Chevalier is best-known for her international bestseller Girl with a Pearl Earring. She has published 9 other novels, mainly historical fiction. Tracy grew up in Washington DC and moved to London many years ago, where she lives with her husband, son and cat. And Tracy has been an important part of Alexandria’s London life… So, this is a special extended episode. ⚡️Hear how the pandemic has influenced the direction of Tracy’s current novel. We talk about things big and small, from storytelling essentials to life & lipstick.

Special thanks to Tracy for writing a new scenario for the Ideal Lifestyle Vision Promo in the middle of this episode! ✨If this isn’t hygge I don’t know what is!

Tracy’s Links

• Website: tchevalier.com
• Twitter: @Tracy_Chevalier
• Instagram: @tracychevalierwriter
• Facebook: tracychevalierwriter

Inspiration

• Avocado & Lemon Zest Spaghetti by Anna Jones. This is one of Tracy’s favourite recipes. “It’s delicious, simple to make and always wonderful”.
• Wallace & Sewell UK-based British design studio, specialising in bold and colourful textiles. Tracy’s favourite accessory in her current wardrobe is a Wallace & Sewell scarf. She wore it on a trip to Paris and said, “I just felt like I could stand amongst the Parisian women who all know how to wear scarves well, and hold my head high”.

Tracy’s Immersive Writing World

She may not have done her KonMari Marathon yet, but Tracy has already embraced an important KonMari concept. She has surrounded herself with joy. Tracy’s home studio is the perfect example of this. In creating an immersive world for herself in which to write, she has built joy into her daily life and surroundings…

"So I love looking up and going, ahh, you’re surrounded with your writing life and reminders of your writing life. And then beyond the cubby holes (on the walls on either side of me), I paste up quotes, photographs and drawings from whatever I’m working on at the time".

Tracy has her very own cabinet of curiosities. Her study features cubby holes, where she curates memorabilia from her books. Yes, there’s even one corner that’s all Girl with a Pearl Earring “kitsch stuff”.

Saying No (more often)

The pandemic has given us all time to reflect and consider what we want more of (and less of) in our lives. How do we want to live… going forward? Tracy has realised that she really loves unstructured time and wants to actively create more of it by saying no more often.

How could you say no more often? Next time you consider taking on a new project or are asked to do something, pause and think about why you would do it… Would you earn, learn or do good? Would you feel adequately compensated for your time and energy? If not, dare to say no.

Style Notes

Just because everyone else says you should do something, it doesn’t mean you need to follow their advice. Like