Hello Julie
Tell us about you and your new book.
Have you ever cried while writing a book?
Absolutely!
It seems strange that an author would cry while they write, but I get very
attached to my characters. When they hurt, I hurt. When they triumph, so do I.
I cried at a couple of spots in The Three Widows of Wylder, even after numerous
times of editing it through. It gets me every time.
How did you
do in English as a kid?
I always
loved to read and English meant I got to read and then write about what I read.
I was a total nerd about it. My father was a high school English teacher, so we
had all the classics at home along with bookshelves full of mysteries,
encyclopedias, romances, and thrillers. I read it all including quite a bit of
the encyclopedias! So I did very well in my English classes.
Do you have
trouble saying goodbye to characters?
I still miss
the characters from my first series, Wild Crime. I catch myself wondering what
the rest of their lives are like before I realize they aren’t real people.
In one way, I’d like to write another book that includes them so that I can be
in their world a while longer, but their story is concluded and I’m happy with
the ending.
What are
your current projects?
I have three
underway. One is a historical fiction, another the first of a new contemporary
mystery series, and the third is a continuation of my Spirited Quest series.
The next Spirited Quest novel (the fourth), which follows the adventures of a
ghost-hunter, will take the main character Jillian to central California during
the 1930s to solve a murder. I’m not sure when this one will be completed as I
have lots of research still to do.
When you
wrote this book, did you have an idea of how it would end at the beginning?
When I start
a novel, I always have the ending in mind. I create a rough outline before I
begin and know the story I want to tell. The plot rarely stays the same as the
original outline as the characters take over at some point and drive the story
forward to a logical conclusion. In my first book, a murder mystery, I had one
murderer in mind but went back and completely changed this to a different
character. The story made so much more sense!
What did you
want to be when you grew up?
I always
wanted to be a novelist so I’m living my childhood dream. I had a career as a
journalist too so I’ve earned a living by writing most of my life.
Are you fun
to go on vacation with?
Hmmm, a good
question. I’m a planner so I usually know exactly what I’d like to see when I
travel. And I’m terrible about relaxing while the sun is up. If it’s light
outside, I want to be outside either hiking or exploring. So if someone isn’t
into that or isn’t a morning person, I can be impatient.
Are you
jealous of other writers?
Very much
so. Every time I read a great book, I wish I could write so well. But this
drives me to do better – write better plots, craft more interesting characters.
I learn so much by reading, and I’m inspired to work harder.
Do you have any hobbies?
I collect
and send postcards around the world – an interest I share with my sister and
father. I love to go cycling, and pedal 10-20 miles most days. There’s a
wonderful trail by the Boise river that I usually take and the views are
lovely. I also quilt and crochet, and enjoy my vegetable garden and growing
roses. And of course I’m an avid reader and have a huge TBR pile – several of
them, in fact, all over the house.
What is your
favorite time of year and why?
Autumn. I
love the crisp mornings and the brilliant colors in the trees. I walk quite a
bit and there’s nothing like hearing the crunch of leaves underfoot or being
caught in a shower of falling leaves. Cool nights are a great excuse to curl up
with a cozy blanket and a good book next to the fireplace.
and where can we find out more about you?
Website: http://juliemhoward.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/juliemhowardauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JulieMHoward
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard
Find The Three Widows of Wylder on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Three-Widows-Wylder-West-ebook/
and other online retailers
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