Today's featured author is Julie Elizabeth Powell. I'm glad she took the time to sit down and answer some questions for us.
Tell us a little bit about you. Where are you from? What kind of books do you write? How many books have you written? Do you set your stories in the area you live in?
Hello! Thanks, Beth for allowing me to tell you about my work.
My pen name is Julie Elizabeth Powell. I live in the south of England and I am English.
I write in a variety of genres and lengths – for adults and children: Two reasons – I like to challenge my writing and I’d become bored if I stuck to the same thing all the time. I don’t write to formulas or fashion, and love to see where my writing takes me. Although, it’s usually the characters that take me on their journey of discovery. Genres include: fantasy, paranormal, horror, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, humour, science-fiction, mystery adventure, crime thriller and non-fiction.
I have written twenty-six books so far; some novels, some short stories and some in between. All are fiction except one.
Gone, however, will always be my most important book since it was written in answer to a question: Where had my daughter gone? This question grew because my daughter, Samantha, died at the age of two, when her heart stopped. However, she was revived, but it was too late to save who she had been, so resulting in severe brain damage. She survived for a further seventeen years; hence the question and the book. Slings & Arrows is the non-fictional account of that waiting time. I really think that both books would help others who have suffered loss; especially that of a child.
I loved the world I’d created in Gone and couldn’t let it go to waste, so I used it for, which turned out to be, an epic fantasy: The Avalon Trilogy. #1 is The Star Realm and when I started to write it, I didn’t realise it would grow so big and I had to divide the fantasy into three; #2 Invasion, #3 Secrets Of The Ice. It is for a younger readership, however, so is the Harry Potter series and I loved that, and I’m far from young!
Most of my stories come from dreams. I love the fantasy genre best because I can let my imagination roam into impossible (or maybe possible) places and situations; though Knowing Jack was inspired by son’s amazing intuition; a mystery adventure, with a paranormal twist, set in the Lake District, England (where I have often visited). Only the non-fiction (Slings & Arrows) is set in the area where I lived.
I am fascinated by how the mind works and many of my books hunt for answers. Why do murderers kill? What is the definition of insanity? Why do some people undervalue themselves? Why are people afraid of difference? Gift or curse? Can some folks see /travel /find other worlds or are they crazy? What if…?
Of Sound Mind deals with what is crazy, what is truth? While Misadventures Of Fatwoman explores how people undervalue themselves when they are unhappy with how they look. I like to investigate all manner of ‘what could be’? My short stories deal with many of these thoughts and wonders.
I am an independent writer, so publish my own books, edit and design all my own covers. I hate proofreading – I am sure there are gremlins waiting to cause me embarrassment and hide the typos until I’ve published. I try to be as professional as I can with limited resources. (Keep reading to see some pictures of Julie's books and read my review of Knowing Jack.)
Most writers I know are voracious readers. What kind of books do you like to read? What’s your favorite book?
I love reading and think it’s essential for any writer to read as many books as they can; broaden their horizons and, of course, it must only aid the craft of writing. Fantasy is my favourite genre (no surprise), but I also enjoy science fiction, dystopian and apocalyptic /post apocalyptic stories – these are like fantasy to me. I don’t like romance, western, erotica or war books (not the ‘battle’ ones, anyway). Some dramas are good.
It’s not easy choosing a favourite story! I did enjoy the Harry Potter series and I love Shakespeare and Dickens. I think one of the best stories I’ve ever read (apart from mine ☺) is called The Chrysalids by John Wyndham, which is about difference and a society that has outlawed anything that doesn’t fit into the ‘norm’ – whatever that is?!
Let’s play a quick game of “This or That”.
Real books or e-books? I do love the feel and smell of ‘real’ books, however, due to my ‘filled to the brim’ life, the only time I have left to read is at night, so I use a Kindle because I don’t need a light (so hubby is not disturbed) and it’s quiet. I also review every book I read, which is mainly from the independent pool of writers, since I understand the struggle and want to add my support.
Coffee or tea? Chamomile tea.
Sweet or savory? Savoury.
Dogs or cats? Dogs.
Summer or winter? Summer.
Morning or night? Night.
Would you mind telling us about your writing style? Such as: Do have a routine? Do you need complete silence or blaring music? Early morning writing or late night writing?
I am unable to have a routine for writing because I have such a busy life. I write when I can, although, I am usually thinking about stories or characters natter and command my attention most of the time.
Definitely silence to write, as with reading.
No specific time. I have been known to get up in the middle of night and write or squeeze in few lines before or after the many duties in the day.
Do you have a favorite “writing” snack?
Simple answer: No! Yep, boring...I don’t eat when I’m writing.
Which do you think is the hardest to write: the first sentence or the last one?
Neither. It’s the middle – keeping that story going.
What is your biggest distraction while writing?
Noise. People. Jobs to do. It’s very annoying, especially when I’m ‘in the zone’.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Keep going.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
I’ve learned that you must really want to write and not expect anything in return…certainly not riches. Folks who tell you it’s a waste of time or that it’s ‘only a hobby’ or ‘you’re not a real writer, are you?’ are best ignored. Writing is hard work and sometimes you question your motives or wonder if it’s worth it – only you can answer that, but if it’s important to you, you’ll carry on.
Just enjoy writing.
What’s next for you? What do your readers have to look forward to?
I’ve just released a fantasy novel called, Maisie, which took a long time to write due to pressures of life that kept my attention. However, it’s finally done and I’m pleased with it. It’s about a blind, seven-year-old girl who is thrown into a world beyond comprehension – maybe she’s just insane?
I’m working on missive four of my paranormal series Weird. Henry Ian Darling is an intriguing and likeable character who came to me in a dream. Here’s a plug: Weird: A Henry Ian Darling Oddity: Missive One is FREE! As is The Star Realm #1 of The Avalon Trilogy.
I’m also putting together three collections of short stories – paranormal, crime and fantasy /science fiction – some of which have come from the Mind’s Eye series, where several authors (including me) are given photographs and must write a story with that (photograph) in mind. One of my favourite collections was the theme of chocolate, called, Tales from the Cacao Tree. It’s amazing where my imagination will take me, sparked from a photograph (from talented photographers; Kim Stapf, Helle Gade and Martin David Porter). I will include some original stories within the new collections, too.
There has been a novel rolling around my head for some time, entitled, Changing Angels, which is a family drama with a fantasy twist. There is also a list of ideas I’ve noted from dreams and I will have to see if and when…
Most of my stories are now audiobooks, and I plan to offer auditions on Audible for Maisie and my short story, The World According To Want; a dystopian tale.
UK - http://goo.gl/Un3ExL
USA - http://goo.gl/zUFdWK
Where can we connect with you? Tell is where to find you online.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/starjewelz
Goodreads - https://goo.gl/DcTSOO
Amazon UK page - http://goo.gl/YUQu68
Amazon USA page - http://goo.gl/pFsY1e
LinkedIn - https://goo.gl/ZXbsGv
Thank you very much for this interview, Beth. And thank you to readers for your kind words, as well as those who review and share my work and support my endeavours to become the best author I can be.
Julie's Bio: I cannot ignore my dreams, so many of them, with names and places and ideas that spark my imagination and compel me to write; to create stories, whether fantasy or horror, or mystery or psychological thriller or murder or even humour and adventure. So, my garden is sown, flourishing, with all manner of growth, and still the dreams come.
Julie Elizabeth Powell, my soul lingering within my imagination; maybe you’ll join me?
I read Knowing Jack a while back. Here is the review I left on Amazon: What can happen at a cabin in the middle of the woods during the winter? Read Knowing Jack and you'll find out the answer is: a lot!
Knowing Jack is a well written book for the middle-school to YA reader. It has likable, well-rounded characters, a steady pace, and a nice twist. Powell writes vivid description, and I was entertained from page one.
Thank you very much, Beth!
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