Hi Julie, great to have you here!Thank you so much for having me Rachel! I’m excited to be a part of your blog.*claps & whistles* I’m also pretty thrilled to tell you all about my debut romance, Bloom.
I didn’t think I could write romance because I didn’t know I read romance. I’ve never reached for the steamy covers or pined over television love stories. So, when I took a chance at writing a romance, it seemed like a lofty goal. What I didn’t see at the time was how my favorite part of the YA novels (I devour like thin mints and coffee) was the romance. Teens love to fall in love a lot and in nearly every YA I read regardless of the story (paranormal, mystery, comedy) one great romance threads through the pages making it fabulous.
Turns out I love romance ß proof you’re never too old to learn something about yourself. LOL.
Online one day, I stopped at the Turquoise Morning Press website. A twitter friend of mine writes for them and loves it there, so I was being nosey. I’d never considered submitting there because I didn’t write romance. When I got to the site, I was surprised to see they represent many different genres and they were looking for books to start a new line called Honey Creek.
Honey Creek books will be available in different genres, by different authors, but all books will revolve around a fictional town, Honey Creek, Ohio. I requested the information on Honey Creek and fell in love. I am so painfully Midwestern. It’s ridiculous. I think maple syrup runs in my blood. (It would definitely explain my energy level). Writing about a place I understand so well gives me a thrill. I understand the mentality, the American pride, the seasons and country music and pickup trucks. LOL. I know firsthand what it’s like to spend the day shopping and the evening night fishing, or to play horseshoes and eat watermelon with an entire small town during the afternoon in cut offs and a Johnny Cash tee shirt, only to slide into stilettos and Sephora for a trip to the city that night. The Midwest is great place to live. It’s the best of everything all tied with a bow. Writing about it is like hitting a jackpot for me.
I made up my mind to give it a try, and I set out to write a kickin romance in the fashion of all those YA’s I love. Bloom was born. Bloom is not a YA, but it is a sweet look at a surprise love. My main characters are closer to 35 than 21 and they’re ready for something real – they just need a little push in the right direction. I love them so much and I hope you will too. Bloom will be available in February 2012. I hope Rachel might ask me back when it gets closer. *cough* *winks wildly* I’d love to share an excerpt, cover art and a trailer with you when I get them.
Meanwhile, I have to say…I hope you’ll never be afraid to step out and try a new genre. Sometimes we put ourselves in a box without knowing it (I certainly did) and it’s so much fun to discover you’re capable of something new. Try it! and stop by and see me at Turquoise Morning Press.
You can find me online – alllll the time ;) I blog my thoughts, tips and tricks on writing over at Musings from The Slush Pile. I am addicted to twitter @JulieALindsey – the absolute best networking tool ever! Links to find me everywhere else are on my blog J I love making new bookish friends, so don’t forget to say Hi!
Bio:
As an only child Julie had plenty of time to people watch and make things up. When she didn't think she could make a living at the latter, her love of people led her to a BA in Psychology instead. A few years and three kids later, she discovered the thrill of writing. Hopelessly caffeine addicted and bouncing through life, writing became a harness for her seemingly endless supply of energy and enthusiasm. Best of all, writing created something of value in the wake.
**Her three book womens fiction series – the Killer Confections Saga will begin in August 2012 with Death by Chocolate, thanks to the complete amazingness of kNight Romance Publishing.
Wow, missy, you are on a roll - A release with Torquoise Morning Press and a three book deal with kNight Romance Publishing? That's amazing! I wish you all the luck in the world, feel free to tell us more about the Killer Confections Saga, I'm intrigued.
And of course, you're welcome back anytime! Oh, and now I want to live in the Midwest, it sounds so...American!
Julie is waiting for your comments & questions....
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ReplyDeleteExcellent blogpost from one Blue Ridge Literary client to another. My daughter lives in Indiana, so I understand your affinity for the midwest. Happy to hear you've fallen in love with Romance since it is my favorite. I often think of writing in another genre, but fear I wouldn't enjoy it as much. You've got a fabulous start to your writing career. I wish you bunches of success.