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Twilla Kay Lamm is a novelist whose work combines historical settings, character-driven storytelling, mystery, and human relationships. Through her fiction, she explores themes such as perseverance, personal conviction, trust, resilience, and the pursuit of truth. Her novel His Sweet Obsession brings together historical intrigue, frontier-era challenges, and questions that test both character and judgment. In this conversation, Lamm reflects on her creative journey, the inspirations behind her storytelling, the process of bringing historical settings to life, and the experiences that continue to shape her work as an author.

Twilla, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. To begin, could you introduce yourself to our readers, share a little about your background, explain what you do, and tell us what you hope your writing contributes to readers?

Thank you for this opportunity and your kind words.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a question I was asked often as a child, and I continue to search for the answer.

I had a successful career in laboratory medicine, and after almost 30 years, I needed a change. In my late forties, I returned to college and earned a master’s degree in early childhood education. Then I worked for almost 20 years with disadvantaged children and their families in a federally funded early childhood program.

As an author, I write romance stories about strong women and the men who love them. True love, the kind that touches your soul, has to be built in layers.

My life experiences give my storytelling deep emotional texture and sensitivity, which leads to the advice to “write what you know.”

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What first inspired your interest in storytelling, and how did that interest eventually develop into writing historical fiction?

A special childhood memory is sitting outside in the summertime beneath a canopy of stars. Fireflies blinked in the Oklahoma darkness, and whip-poor-wills called to one another. The warm air was scented with earthy aromas and pine. The family gathered around, and my grandfather told us about our history.

My favorite childhood toy was my paper dolls. They had jobs, families, and friends. I created make-believe worlds. Fiction writing incorporates this type of dramatic play on many levels.

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Historical settings often require balancing imagination with research. How do you approach that balance when developing a novel?

My characters always come first, and to me, they are real people.

Since I write romance, I give my hero a problem, and then I give my heroine a problem. The dual threads for the characters lead me to the setting and the time period.

I research as I write. That way, I can streamline the information to exactly what I need.

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Your stories feature characters who face uncertainty while searching for answers. What draws you to exploring those kinds of personal journeys?

A character seeking answers is a hook I use to bring the reader into the story and build suspense.

As a writer, I need to grab the reader from the first page and give the story an element of uncertainty.

In life, all of us have problems and search for answers, but sometimes there is no right answer. The satisfaction of writing fiction is that I can give the character a resolution.

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Many readers enjoy fiction because it allows them to experience another time and place. What aspects of historical storytelling do you find most rewarding as a writer?

In writing historical fiction, the facts are established. As a writer, I look at those facts and ask, “What if…?” and the fun begins.

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During your writing process, are there particular stages—research, planning, drafting, or revision—that you find especially engaging or challenging?

I’ve discovered a need for lists: a list of characters with names and traits, a calendar of events, a map of the area, and more research about the daily lives of people living in that particular time period.

The little things tucked into descriptive sentences give the characters believability.

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Looking back on your creative journey so far, what milestones, accomplishments, recognitions, or memorable experiences stand out to you, and what do they mean to you personally?

I signed my first book contract with Wild Rose Press at 70 years old. Who would have thought?

Me, a woman from rural southeastern Oklahoma with a book, His Sweet Obsession, for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores. And soon, another book, His Sweet Temptation, will be available.

Unbelievable.

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Themes such as perseverance, trust, personal growth, and resilience appear frequently in stories that resonate with readers. Why do you think these themes remain relevant across generations?

These themes reflect life skills for successful living.

Readers relate to the characters because they have faced similar situations.

Everyone moves forward in life. It is a universal bond, but how you do it is a personal choice.

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What have your readers taught you about storytelling, connection, and the kinds of stories people continue to value?

A person who purchases a book is looking for a good story. A simple but complicated statement.

Simple because everyone wants to be entertained. Complicated because readers like different things.

I love surprising a reader with twists and turns. Who doesn’t like a good brainteaser?

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When readers finish one of your novels, what conversations, reflections, or questions do you hope remain with them?

My characters are flawed and scarred by life, but they overcome their circumstances.

I hope readers feel that you don’t have to be perfect to live a good life.

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If you were to write your own bio, what would you say? And as your work evolves, what kind of impact do you hope it has?

Twilla Kay Lamm knew that age is a state of mind. She achieved her dreams at different stages of her life.

She often said, “We don’t have an expiration date. If you want to accomplish something, find the time, find the money, and leave the excuses in the dust.”

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