Tracy L. Markley

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When and why did you start writing books?

I published my first book in 2017. While training Gary, a stroke survivor who I met when he walked into the gym in a walker we experienced such a bond and he had an incredible recovery. We both learned so much and he wanted his story shared. He often would stopped in a middle of a workout and would say, "We need to share my story to help someone, even if it only helps one person. That person is worth it. This turned into the book, The Stroke of an Artist, The Journey of a Fitness Trainer and a Stroke Survivor. I always wanted to write a book. I wanted the book to be about muscles and the core of the body. In this first book there was a chapter just like that to help educate and caregiver or stroke surviver. This book let to the next and it just kept going. Two weesk ago I published my fifteenth book. It is my second children's book.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

After the first book about my stroke survior I received calls from stroke surviors, caregivers and fitness professionals asking me to write another one sharing exercises Gary from my first book did. this led to the next and then when Covid shut down fitness studios and physical therapy places and my stroke survivor clients were not able to see me, I knew that was all over the world. I began making some videos on Youtube to help and then I wrote a book on Stroke recvoery and Walking and leg Stabilizaion and then I was asked to write on about arm recovery. So my books are there to teach and help others the best I can.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

Since all my books are knowledge and education basically except my two children's books, my favorite character right now is Riley, in my new book Rhyming Riley, the Dog That Rhymes all the Time. He is based off of my dog and his life and what we shared together, but he is telling the story in Rhymes. It is fun. I have an actor who did the voice of Riley in the Audio book and it is so amazing and brought it all to life even more. The audio book is processing at this moment and should be available any da.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

The writing part of my books are not to hard. The hardest part for me is finding the right illustrator for the book and the process of reviewing the illustrations, sending them back for changes and all involved in that.

Who is your favourite author and book?

At the moment I don't have a favorite.. It changes each time I read a book that I read.

What book are you reading right now?

I am reading a book on marketing books at the moment. Trying to keep learning more. It is called Self-Promote & Succeed by Julie Broad

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

My inspiration comes from real life and my work with clients and education. They come from my personal experience as well and in my last book, the love and joy of my dog insprired me.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I like to take walks, eat sushi, play with dogs, water and watch my flowers in my garden look the best I can.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Yes, I do have another book I am working on now. It's going to be a very special book, (although I say that about every book as I write it). But this book is a special book that I am partnering with another person and not sharing any details yet. I think i will be very special though.