Author Unbound 1 – Julie A. Lindsey

For our first monthly author interview we linked up with the very funny Julie A. Lindsey, an up-and-coming romance author. Before we get to her responses, we want to start by explaining why we are doing these interviews and what the madness behind the questions is.

The interviews are designed, interestingly enough, to pull the “author” shroud away enough for you to see that they are still normal people, just like you and I. Sometimes an author’s success has a way of elevating their perceived status and they don’t always get the opportunity to be themselves—at least not nearly as much. So what we have done is brainstormed and chosen a set of questions that lets you get to know the “person behind the book”. We ask hard, honesty-invoking questions, like “have you ever wanted to quit…” because we want new writers to understand that we all go through similar struggles, but there is a light at the end of that tunnel (and no, it’s not always a train). We ask about inspiration and rituals, because some of us think that there is some secret manual that you must follow to the letter to be successful. The author’s answers will show you that such a book doesn’t exist.

So enjoy getting to meet our authors. Learn from them, laugh with them, and definitely connect with them. They are here for you as much as you are for them.

Now on to Julie.

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Julie A Lindsey - Romance Author

SD: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview for us. Getting the opportunity to talk candidly with authors is always inspiring and helpful, especially to new writers. I’m sure you will do several interviews throughout your career. Taking the time to do this means a great deal to us. I hope our community members find it helpful and enjoy getting to know you as a person, not just an author.

JAL: Hi! I’m very excited to be here. It’s probably early for an interview, as none of my books will be out until next year, but I love chatting with other writers and this is a fabulous opportunity. Thank you!

SD: For starters, please tell us a little about yourself.

JAL: Short story – I am a mother of three, wife to a sane person, and Ring Master at the Lindsey Circus. I’m also shamelessly addicted to YA and Pop Tarts. Most days you’ll find me online, amped up on caffeine & wielding a book.

Longer version: I’m an only child, born and raised in the Midwest (Ohio) where I live now with my three small children and amazing husband. I have a degree in psychology because I am people obsessed. As it turns out, that quirk lends itself nicely to writing. Plus, I really like to make stuff up. I am represented by The Blue Ridge Literary Agency and am also a new author for two small presses including the Turquoise Morning Press where I contracted my own series of sweet romance novellas for their new imprint Honey Creek books. My series is called Seeds of Love, and my debut novella has the honor of launching the new Honey Creek line. The story is titled Bloom and coming in February. Also, I am honored to have a three book saga with kNight Romance. The Killer Confections Saga will kick off in March 2012 with the first title of the series, Death by Chocolate, a full length novel of humorous women’s fiction. I also blog about books, writing, and the industry at Musings from the Slush Pile.

SD: Was there a person or event in your life that inspired you to start writing?

JAL: Absolutely. I was up late with my third baby watching pay per view and saw a movie that caught my attention. My husband told me he thought it was a book and he bought it for me. It was the first book I’d read in years that wasn’t about parenting or homeschooling. I later saw the author interviewed on television and as it turned out, she wasn’t a writer either, just a lady with a story. When Hubsy came home that night, I announced “I think I’m going to write a novel.” True to his awesomeness, he said “What’s it going to be about?” Never a doubt. Never a question. He’s incredible. So, I got started.

SD: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

JAL: People. I started watching people to the point of creeper back when I was young. I’m an only child and people are interesting. In grade school, I only really knew my mom and dad, so I didn’t understand the teasing and fighting and cliques I saw. That led to a degree in human behavior (psychology) and now I write stories about people. Honestly, the truth is weirder than anything I could dream up. I just twist it a little and change the names to protect the innocent.

SD: Do you have a writing “ritual” and what is it? (E.g. – certain music, room, place…)

JAL: No. Once we had our third child our home office became a nursery. I now write from the family room couch as my laptop sears my legs. The three kids and sometimes Hubsy squeeze in all around me and my elbows pinch against my ribs. The television is right in front of me and life is chaotic. My “office” is a complete circus. Oh, and I write all day, every day, anytime I can snatch a free moment to jot something down. I seize every opportunity.

SD: Who is your favorite character and why?

JAL: Wow. I wish I had a super classy answer to show my incredible depth and culture. I don’t. My favorite character is Stephanie Plum, the hilarious creation of Janet Evanovich. She’s an educated, out of work Jersey girl who takes up a job as a bounty hunter. She solves crimes with her side kick and former ho, Lula, and blows up the better part of Trenton and the Burg solving crime and catching bad guys. I love to laugh and I laugh at Stephanie plum until the book rattles off my treadmill shelf and zips under my feet. It’s a surprise I haven’t broken my neck yet. If you haven’t read these books, definitely give them a try, but not on the treadmill.

SD: Was there a time in your writing when you wanted to quit and what did you do to get through it?

JAL: I’ve sworn never to write another word on many occasions. I have some serious war wounds from this industry. I won a 30 page critique once and submitted a paranormal romance I was working on. The editor said I was a pervert. No joke. I was devastated. I quit writing that one. After a day or two, I decided paranormal just wasn’t my genre. Another editor once said my narration was scatterbrained. Ouch! I’ve heard all sorts of negative things about my writing, BUT I’ve heard many more positive and encouraging things. My writer friends are the best and I know I can count on them to improve my attitude when necessary. Then, I take what I can from the rejections and try to improve the manuscript (except the perverted one—there’s no coming back from that). I leave the rest as a simple difference in tastes. If I didn’t, I’d go completely berserk, but it probably wouldn’t keep me from writing.

SD: How do you spend your non-writing time?

JAL: Chasing kids. I have three under 8; and I homeschooled the older two until this year. Needless to say it will be the last time I do that for a while. I can’t keep up. I’m underwater. LOL. I’m almost always reading too. I try to read 2-3 books a week. You are probably guessing I never sleep. I don’t. There’s no time for that. I never get anything accomplished when I’m asleep.

SD: If you weren’t an author, what would you be?

JAL: Space cowgirl? I’m not sure. Honestly I just started writing about 2 1/2 years ago and if I wasn’t doing this, then I’d still be doing what I was doing before writing took over my life. Back then I homeschooled and loved it. I shuttled my kids all over the county learning things and having “life experiences” LOL. We went to Zoo School and Nature Rangers; visited mounds built by mound building Indians, and got to know an Amish family.

When I wasn’t teaching, I was heavily involved in the Women’s Ministries at my church. I helped create and administrate a Mom’s group plus vacation Bible school every summer and a dozen other things. My life is always busy, so I suppose I’d be busy doing community and family things if I wasn’t glued to this couch.

SD: If you could have any person you wanted over for dinner, who would they be, why, and what would be served?

JAL: First, I think I’d go with fondue for dinner because it’s the best invention ever. A whole meal of dunking things in melted cheese and chocolate? Perfection. Plus, fondue meals take hours and I want as much time as possible with my guest. The guest part was the problem. I wanted to be brilliant but once again I came up with only one thing. I’d choose Emily Dickinson for dinner. I’m not sure she’d approve of the meal, but I’m certain she’d understand my reasoning. Emily’s poetry drew me in as a child and my attraction to words never went away. In college she intrigued me as a person because she was reclusive and brilliant. Now, as a writer, I am in awe of her. Her talent yes, but also that she wrote in a time when women weren’t recognized the way we are today and in a time when choosing such a profession would only add to the solitude. I don’t know what I would do without my instant connection to my friends. The Internet makes writing a community. In her time writers were islands, to be a woman made it all the more strange and secluded. I’d really like to hear what life was like for her. What was she thinking?!

SD: Of course, I have to ask—what is the one best piece of advice you would give another writer?

JAL: Well, everyone says don’t give up, so I’ll tell you this instead: Get. On. Twitter. Twitter has been an absolute blessing to me. I met my critique group there. I’ve made some of my closest friends through Twitter encounters. Twitter is an underestimated resource for writers. Open an account and search for writers then follow them. When they say something you can relate to – comment back. This is how you build relationships. Follow hashtags like #writing and #amwriting; join in on #askagent or #askeditor discussions to learn about the craft and the market. Seriously, I heart Twitter. If you have any questions about Twitter ask me. I will promote Twitter for writers all day long. It’s invaluable. Plus it’s pretty fun too.

SD: In closing, what would you like to tell your readers?

JAL: Well, I don’t have readers yet, but if you’re in the market for a new writer friend, I hope you’ll look me up on G+ or Twitter (@JulieALindsey) or contact me through my blog. I’ll email back and we can be besties. I love meeting other writers. We picked the absolute most impossible goal ever. We have to stick together, LOL!

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Julie provided some great insight and advice in her interview, and we will be covering promotion via social media channels like Twitter pretty extensively on Story Dam. The writing is only a portion of the battle. There’s still that small matter of getting your work read (and sold if that is your goal). For now, though, please feel welcome to ask Julie some questions or comment on her interview below. She does have a very busy schedule, but we’ll make sure she stops by and answers your comments at least a few of times throughout the month that she is going to be featured.