The lovely Julie A Lindsey is here today!!

I am so happy to be able to host a visit with fellow Blue Ridge Agency author, Julie A Lindsey - she has quickly became a good online friend to me since I joined the agency in March. If you don't follow Julie on Twitter, do it now - the woman is a machine, I tell you. A machine!!

Anyway, welcome Julie - let's get started :)

1) Who is your favourite author and why?

Ahh. I have a few. Stephenie Meyer is close to my heart for creating a set of characters so fascinating I decided to try to make some myself. Thank you Ms. Meyer. I’m also smitten with Maggie Stiefvater for her magical way with words. Reading her books is a complete out of body experience. Finally, Janet Evanovich for making me laugh so loud and hard her books plummet from the treadmill shelf and speed past my toes at 7MPH on a regular basis. Her humor and wit created my imaginary bestie Stephanie Plum who I would gladly go on any adventure with, no questions asked.

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I think the notion is still settling. I’ve always liked words, but only decided to try writing for publication about 3 years ago. It’s been quite an interesting ride since then. I enjoy people and hope to do as much speaking as writing. I feel like my business card should say Professional People Person instead of writer.

3) Describe your writing space?

I write on my couch, in front of a television playing Barbie movies around the clock. My kids are 8, 5 & 3. They are always under my feet, elbowing my ribs for space on the couch or needing me for random mommy things. My “office” is now a princess’s bedroom and my couch is now my office. No worries. I’m zen. My mad concentration skills can block out a tornado and a herd of flying monkeys.

4) What are you reading now?

Today I’m reading some delish YA and a women’s fiction. The YA ARC I’m devouring is Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly. I’m also enjoying The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab. Also, I’m reading My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I’ve got my treadmill book, and my eBook I keep for reading while I wait on my kids, and another on the kitchen counter I pick up throughout the day. So, I’m a three book at a time kinda girl. LOL.

5) How many books have your written? Which is your favourite?

I’ve written quite a few books, five will be released in 2012 J I’m in edits right now on the February and March releases so those came right into mind. In February my sweet romance novella Bloom launches a new imprint for Turquoise Morning Press and it is set in rural Ohio where I live, so the connection there is precious to me. I get a little doe eyed thinking of it.

On the flip-side, the March release is book one in my Killer Confection Saga titled Death by Chocolate. It’s nutty and deliciously deadly…Think Desperate Housewives meets Dexter LOL. I have the best time letting that crazy cupcake killer do whatever comes to mind. She’s June Cleaver off her meds and So. Much. Fun!

6) What comes first, plot or characters?

It’s a tie, but I think the concept comes first and characters take shape as I delve into the idea. I spend a shameful amount of time wondering “what if?” What if I stuck a potato in the neighbor’s tailpipe? What is someone roofied the church social’s vat of noodle soup? What if aliens took over the local Amish community? We’d never know…

7) Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

No. My mind is complete ADD. I have trouble keeping ideas at bay so I can finish one before starting another. I just make notes and get back to work. Since first deciding to write a novel in 2008, I’ve never been without fodder.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I talk to strangers. My 3yo daughter and I love shopping vintage stores, thrift shops and the like in search of the perfect accessories no one else will have. While we’re out, I chat up other shoppers, the clerk, anyone really. I’m like a roving reporter who keeps all the stories for herself. I also read & blog and lurk around social media sites. I love people.

9) Tell us about your latest book?

My latest book is a YA I’m in love with. My heart soars for the girl and swoons for the love interest with every new word I type. I am a YA addict by far and away. I read more YA than anything else, probably a book every 2 or 3 days. There’s such an amazing intensity to the teens in the stories. They live passionately as if they are invincible and love truly can conquer all. No mortgage, pervy bosses or dead beat exes to hang them up. I read those stories and it reminds me not to get so old I forget anything is possible.

10) What’s next for you?

Everything! I feel like everything is waiting just up ahead. My sweet romance novella with TMP arrives in February and begins my “Seeds of Love” series with them. Those books are slated for Feb, Sept and December 2012. The Killer Confection books 1 & 2 will arrive in March and then in December. Meanwhile I’ve scheduled several appearances & events in Ohio for 2012 including the amazing Lori Foster Reader Writer get Together in June, some speaking engagements at local colleges and retreats as well as Boucheron in October. 2012 has so much in store for me, I can hardly stand it!

Thank you so much for having me Rachel. You are an absolutely amazing woman and author and friend. I feel honored to be here!

You are the amazing lady, not me!! Wow, five releases in 2012?? You really are a machine, lol! Love the fact you write around your little ones - it will get easier, I did the exact same thing up until about three years ago. Mine are 12 & 10 now so they're not around as much.

I am sooo buying Death By Chocolate when it comes out! Who is the publisher, by the way? Here's where you can find Julie, day or night...

http://blog.juliealindsey.com/

http://julieannelindsey.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/JulieALindsey

As the lady said, she loves talking to new people - bring on your questions & comments!!