Interview with Heather Grace Stewart, Author of Lucky

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Lucky?

The meet-cute between heroine Dylan and hero Mason was inspired by real events in my life. I was driving on the highway just outside of Ottawa, going home to Montreal, when a piglet “flew,” or so it seemed, out of the back of a transport truck, narrowly missing my car! The poor thing looked lifeless as it rolled to the roadside. I swerved, almost had a collision, was horrified, certain the piglet was dead, and decided to chase after the truck, hoping to get him to stop and help the piglet. No luck, he actually sped up. Just awful. But the feisty little guy lived.

The real “Lucky” was rescued by a local vet and eventually taken in at an animal sanctuary. I stayed in touch and was inspired by his story of survival. The events shook me, and changed me so much I became a pescatarian a few days after the incident. (Now three years of eating no meat, only fish). The rural areas in the book are inspired by places I explored when growing up in rural Ontario and Quebec.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Lucky, what would they be?

Sugar and Daisies by Alt Bloom – I use it for my stories about Dylan and Mason on my Instagram all the time.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Biographies! I love learning about fascinating people.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I’m finishing Cassidy Reyne’s Saving Dignity (The Sentinels 4) and The Last Family in England by Matt Haig.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Anytime Dylan and Mason were bantering back and forth. Their meet cute, and when they first see the wild doe. The runaway horse scene was challenging – had to research horses lots!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

More like is there anything I do that isn’t quirky? I talk lines out loud. I pace the room. No music. Silent mode on my cell. I have to have my hot drink and snack to my right. If I’m really stuck, I’ll take a long shower and sing!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

It’s from Dr. Wayne Dyer: Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

If it gave them joy and a state of calm for a while, I’d like that feeling to be remembered. Like getting a warm hug.

Heather Grace Stewart is the author of the new book Lucky

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