Interview with Author Amy Lynn Green

Amy Lynn Green

T4JYM: Can you tell us about your latest book and what readers can expect from it?

ALG: The Codebreaker’s Daughter is the first novel I’ve written that spans two eras: the pioneering American codebreakers of World War I and the Washington D.C. intrigue of World War II under the Office of Strategic Services. It’s a mother-daughter story at heart, following Diana Kendall as she lives on her own for the first time and struggles to find a place in her wartime job… and discovers her mother Lillian’s past as an elite codebreaker. She uncovers other secrets too, some of which put her in the path of danger as D-Day approaches.

T4JYM: Being a history buff myself, I LOVE the history tidbits you include on your website and how they are woven into your novels! Please share how you go about researching things for your novels. How do you ensure historical accuracy?

ALG: I love history too! In fact, one of my high school history teachers is probably responsible for me becoming a historical fiction author. He let me write one-act plays and short stories instead of essays for his class, encouraged me to think about how ideas shape history, and told me I shouldn’t let go of the gift of writing God had given me.

But to actually answer your question – before I start writing, I gather some general research, usually reading several overview books on the historical events I want to include in the novel. For The Codebreaker’s Daughter, that meant the ragtag American codebreaking team of WWI and the OSS (spies, saboteurs, and propagandists) of WWII. I also like to find primary sources, such as newspaper articles, diaries, and letters of witnesses to the events I’ll be including. Then, as I start planning and writing specific scenes, I look up more detailed information. What did the codebreaking compound look like? What kind of training did the OSS agents go through? Which neighborhood in Washington D.C. do I want to put Dinah’s boarding house? Then, when I’m editing my rough draft, I’ll often research the very picky details as I go, like the kind of car a character drives or what Lillian’s shoes might look like. Here, I also give lots of credit to my editors for catching the errors I make along the way. Every book goes through many rounds of editing before it arrives to readers to make sure it’s as accurate as possible.

T4JYM: Besides writing books, tell our readers a little about you and the things that keep you busy.

ALG: I’m a stay-at-home mom to two adorable little girls, aged 3 and 1. That’s something I never thought I would say, but they are a joy, so full of curiosity and imagination. In my free time, I love to play strategy board games, attempt to keep my flower bed alive, and watch The Great British Baking Show.

T4JYM: If you could spend 30 minutes with Jesus, what would it look like?

ALG: I hope I would use most of it just listening, like Mary in Luke 10…but there’s also a good chance I would prep some tea and scones (or a full meal) beforehand like Martha. I have a feeling Jesus knows what I would need out of that half hour better than I would.

T4JYM: What is your favorite verse in the Bible and why?

ALG: This may be cheating, but I’m going to pick a whole chapter. I’ve always loved Hebrews 11, and I even memorized it when I was a teenager. No surprises about why: it’s a collection of stories, a summary of the journeys of Old Testament saints who persevered by faith. Those individual stories bring an abstract concept to life and have always reminded me what it looks like to know God and believe He keeps his promises.

T4JYM: What kinds of books do you enjoy reading? What are you reading currently?

ALG: I’m a historical fiction fan, of course, currently listening to an audiobook by Sarah Sundin, as well as a nonfiction book about the Monuments Men (team that protected artwork during and after WWII). I also just finished the illustrated biography The Mythmakers by John Hendrix about the life, friendship, and writings of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, and I would highly recommend it to teen readers (or anyone).

T4JYM: What advice would you give to someone interested in publishing their work?

ALG: I always tell young writers that, besides reading, the best way to practice writing is just to write! It’s especially important to finish a few projects. Endings are difficult, and I know I had a hard time following through on a story idea instead of abandoning it for the next one that came to mind.

I also recommend that, if you’re serious about publishing, you find a few trusted readers to give you feedback on your work. Even if they’re not writers themselves, make sure your critique buddies enjoy your type of story – the ideal reader both offers suggestions for improvement and also gives lots of encouragement. If you can find a writing conference nearby to attend, that’s a great way to start to learn more about the art and business of writing as well. If you can’t do that, find some authors, publishers, and literary agents to follow on social media. They often share courses, blog posts, or tips on the world of writing and publishing.

T4JYM: What advice would you give to the youth of this world?

ALG: When I was a teenager, I somehow got the idea that I needed to go out and do great things for God. At times, that became more important than actually spending time with God (reading the Bible, praying, treating others the way Jesus would). If you ever get to the point where your dreams start putting the pressure on, or you feel like your faith has become a checklist, stop and spend some time reading and reflecting on the life of Jesus instead. That’s what always got my heart back on track.

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