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.

What We're Talking 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

Links Mentioned

Grace Of The Empire State by Gemma Tizzard

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Grace-of-the-Empire-State/Gemma-Tizzard/9781668056943

Gemma Tizzard's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/gemma_tizzard/