Meet Lori Soard

You’ve had a diverse career in writing, from journalism and creative writing to teaching and editing. How have these experiences shaped your approach to writing novels, especially your fiction?

Every experience brings something different. I can see the journalistic background in my approach to writing. I do a lot of research and pre-planning before I write. I try to seek first-hand experiences. For one of my older books, Snow Cream Kisses, I went into forums, found people from the area, and asked questions like what the sounds and smells were like there. Even when I’ve been to a place, I want to get the locals’ perspective.

Before I write the book, I have a plot, a chapter-by-chapter outline, character sheets and a storyboard. These things are fluid and often change as the characters take over the story, but it is how I start any book I write. 

Your childhood was filled with rich storytelling, and you’ve mentioned your mother’s love for books and your family’s tradition of oral storytelling. How do those early experiences influence the way you craft stories today?

I love this question. I never really thought about this, except that my upbringing inspired me to tell stories. I remember my family sitting around, telling tragedies, romances, and unsolved mysteries. I’m sure there is a touch of the dramatic in my tales from those conversations.

When my mom’s family would gather in West Virginia, they’d stay up late into the night chatting and catching up. I can still hear the buzz of their conversation and the natural flow of their storytelling. If I close my eyes and concentrate, I can hear my sweet grandma’s voice and laugh. I’d love to have just fifteen more minutes in that room filled with love, laughter, and hope against all odds. 

My grandmother was very poor. She raised 10 children. My grandfather was a coal miner and died of black lung while many of those children were still being raised. Yet, she never lost her faith or her positive outlook on life. I can’t think of very many people I admire as much as I did my grandma. She lives in my heart and in my stories, through my characters’ resilience and determination to reach a better tomorrow. 

Your books often feature strong emotional journeys and deep themes of redemption and faith. How do you balance exploring complex, sometimes painful emotions, with the hope and faith that your stories ultimately convey?

When I write emotions, you can be certain I’ve experienced them in some capacity. A mother losing her child...I had a miscarriage and can relate on some level. Losing someone you love? I know that sting. The betrayal of false friends? I’ve lived it. I think balancing the painful emotions with hope and faith reflects who I am. I’m overall a pretty happy and positive person. My hope is in Jesus Christ and has been since I was 13. I can find the joy and promise because of the eternal promise I have. At the same time, I have hard days like anyone else. I have disappointments, regrets, and hurts. I truly hope if my books convey one thing to readers, though, it is that things will eventually get better and God can get them through it in the meantime. He always has a plan, but His timing is not always fast by our standards. 

The Nessie Hunter’s Diaries released in late August 2025 as part of the Our House on Heather Wynd series. How does your story fit into the larger series, and what can readers expect from your contribution?

The Nessie Hunter’s Diaries is set in 2025. Some of the books are historicals and some contemporary. I think the series is a nice mix of both. It is a Christian romance about a marine biologist heroine who has inherited her great-grandfather’s diaries. He was a Loch Ness monster hunter, and she is determined to prove or disprove his theories. Through her journey, she falls in love with the place, the people, and a certain young Scottish historian. 

What was it like to be part of such a large, collaborative project, and how did you ensure your story complemented the overall theme of the series?

This was my fourth multi-author project. It has been one of my favourites because of the fabulous authors involved, and our fearless leader, Anna. Beyond the advanced planning and excellent project organisation throughout, it was the people involved who made the series. We would all pray for the series and one another throughout the project. Every Wednesday, there were prayer requests, praises, and check-ins.

At the writing level, we each had houses, and if your character interacted with a place or other characters, you could check the files or contact them. You gave me some great feedback about the inn, bringing it to life so that my scenes there fit with the other books in the series. All our pre-planning made the process easier. 

As a mother, grandmother, and active volunteer, how do you find time to write and balance your personal and professional life? What does your writing routine look like?

I have always written in small snippets. Slow and steady wins the race. I’m the perpetual tortoise. I write almost every day, even if just a page or two. Sometimes the words flow, and I write a lot more than others. I also have some beta readers who speed up my editing process. 

You’ve had an extensive career in the publishing world, both as an author and as an editor. How has your role as a professional editor influenced the way you approach your own writing and self-editing process?

What amazes me is that I’m still learning new things all the time. I work as a content writer to earn the income that pays my bills. I am blessed that they pour into me and give me goals and feedback. I apply a lot of what I learn about nonfiction writing to my fiction writing. I’ve discovered I have favourite words that aren’t great. I’d love to add the word “just” so I can search/find and remove those. You rarely need the word and can remove it without changing the meaning. I’ve also found some interesting tools, such as Grammarly, Word Hippo and Duplicate Word Finder. I use these in the final stages of editing to identify typos and errors and vary my word choice. I am also frequently humbled, which reminds me that no one is perfect. I make mistakes and miss them. I encourage my readers to drop me a note if they notice something in one of my books. The great thing about self-publishing is that you can change things at any time. I love fixing problems and making a book even better. 

You’ve mentioned a deep love for reading, pets and travel. How do your personal interests and hobbies influence your writing, and do they make their way into the settings or characters in your books?

I am a very eclectic reader. You might find me reading a nonfiction book alongside a mystery. On another day, I am reading a romance. Because I’m feeding my creative well with different types of music (song lyrics) and genres, it sometimes sparks a unique idea. My October release, Meringue Melody, follows the lyrics of a song throughout. Everyday life often creeps into my stories. It may be a conversation I overhear, a place I visit, or even a local food I try. My own small town often inspires situations and stories. You never know where the next idea is coming from, but I thank God for everyone He sends my way.  

Follow Lori using her Social media links: https://linktr.ee/lorisoard