Author Laura VosikaAuthor Laura Vosika
J Hirtle The Last Storyteller
Author Laura Vosika talks with J Hirtle about her Blue Bells Chronicles, blending time travel with Scottish history and deep character change. She shares candid advice on writing, editing, indie publishing and the unpredictable nature of book marketing and reviews.
1:02:32•17 Jun 2026
Time Travel, Tough Reviews and Telling the Truth: Laura Vosika on Story and History
Episode Overview
- Strong character growth over multiple books can turn a simple story idea into a long-running saga.
- Respecting real history, even in time travel fiction, can deepen tension and make plots more believable.
- Self‑editing improves when you leave time between drafts, read with fresh eyes and even listen to the text aloud.
- A solid writers’ group and honest beta readers are invaluable for spotting weaknesses you’ll miss on your own.
- Book marketing has no guaranteed formula; timing, trends and plain luck often matter as much as effort.
“I’m a big believer that we do choose who we become, and we’re also affected by the things that happened to us.”
How can compelling narratives motivate and inspire others? This chat between host J Hirtle and author Laura Vosika shows exactly how a well-told story can hook you for years. Fans of time travel and historical fiction will feel right at home as Laura talks through her five-book Blue Bells Chronicles, which began as a NaNoWriMo project and stretched into a nine-year saga.
You’ll meet Sean, an arrogant modern trombonist, and Neil, his honour‑driven medieval double, thrown together around the Battle of Bannockburn. Laura explains how their clashing values, shared identity and gradual growth turned what was meant to be a single redemption tale into a full-blown series. History buffs get plenty to enjoy too. Laura walks through her meticulous research on Robert the Bruce, guerrilla tactics, swampy battlefields, murder pits and even newly uncovered medieval sewers that conveniently solved a plot problem.
She stresses, "I never, ever changed history", and shows how sticking to real events can actually make the story stronger. For writers, this is like a mini masterclass. Laura openly shares how her characters "refuse" to do what she wants, why she writes by the seat of her pants, and how she keeps continuity, character growth and story integrity across multiple books.
She offers practical editing tips (like leaving weeks between drafts, reading with fresh eyes, and leaning on critique groups and beta readers) and candid thoughts on reviews, bad ratings and the hit‑and‑miss nature of book marketing. You’ll also hear about her small press, Gabriels Horn, her Books and Brews podcast, and even a glimpse of her current life on a Tennessee farm, squeezing writing between sheep, surgery recoveries and new mystery projects.
If you care about stories, history or writing your own book one day, this conversation might be the nudge you’ve been waiting for—what kind of tale are you ready to tell next?
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