Nancy: Julie Anne Lindsey is a multi-genre author who writes the stories that keep her up at night, and she stopped by to share some helpful writing tips.
Julie Anne Lindsey: About
two years ago, I was in a bad place. I had a manuscript on submissions and it
received wonderful compliments followed by things like: BUT we just picked up
something too similar. Many. Many variations of that. It was an exhausting,
infuriating time. I didn’t take it well.
Somehow
my “intriguing”, “well-written,” “engaging” even “page turner” of a manuscript
couldn’t find a home because I was late to the party. Well. I screamed. A lot.
Eventually, I threw my hands up and quit writing. Forever. And I meant it. But
it didn’t stick.
Soon,
desperation took over.
I
went back to the drawing board and I asked myself: What hasn’t been done a
thousand times in YA? I came up with Vikings. Literally. I borrowed the term
Vikings, deemed them demigods, and built a world of mythology to support them.
Then, I took my hero, a boy who was mysterious because his family had mental
issues circa Bates Motel and I made him a Viking instead.
Extreme.
I know, but sometimes a supercharged, mega dose of creativity (or in this case
a bit of a creative tantrum) helps.
Nancy: Sometimes an author needs to get out of their comfort zone.
Julie Anne Lindsey: I
changed my “safe” storyline and went with something I loved, but had long been
afraid to approach. I embraced my love of Thor and Loki, Odin and Zeus (Yeah, I
like both Greek and Norse mythology) and I wrote my very first fantasy romance.
Vikings.
Huzzah!
Plus
there’s kissing. Always with the kissing.
Thanks
to that act of writerly desperation, my debut YA fantasy, PROPHECY, arrived in September
from Lyrical Press/Kensington, and I am one happy author, excited to share my
enthusiasm for making mythology mainstream.
Fellow
writers, I have to throw this out there: If you’re debating a crazy concept, I
encourage you to go for it. Why not? What do you have to lose? Sure, writing
outside your comfort zone can be scary, riddled with uncertainty and yes, intimidating,
but if you’re not writing with passion and finding joy in the process, then
maybe you’re doing it wrong (like I was) and maybe it’s time to start again. Then
again, what do I know? I write about Vikings and sea nymphs in Ohio. It’s
totally your call if you want to take advice from crazy o_0.
Nancy: Great advice! Now...please share Three things readers might not know
about you:
Julie Anne Lindsey: Okay
1) I’m
madly obsessed with Alice in Wonderland
2) I’m
a shameless fangirl of about a zillion fandoms
3) My
childhood dream was to marry the Goblin King from Labyrinth.
Prophecy, book 1, the Calypso series
On the other side of death, is destiny.
Callie
Ingram is spending her senior year focused on one thing: swimming. Her skill as
a competitive swimmer is going to secure a scholarship and her future, or so
she hopes. She has big plans, and Liam Hale, her gorgeous new neighbor, isn’t
going to affect them. But when Callie sees Liam beheading someone, she learns
his family has a secret that will change everything. The Hales are Vikings,
demi-gods who’ve been charged by The Fates to find their new destined leader.
Callie’s
caught in the middle of a budding Norse apocalypse, in love with Liam Hale and
desperate to protect her best friend—who the Hales believe is marked for
transformation. Putting the clues together as fast as she can, Callie discovers
she has the power to rewrite destiny, for herself and all humankind.
*Excerpt
or excerpt link (optional: 300 words or less, no hotter than PG13) *optional
Readers
can buy Prophecy at online retailers for $.99 through January 31st!
*What’s next for you?
Prophecy’s
sequel, Goddess, arrives in 2015. I’m extremely excited about this. Prophecy
allowed me to set up the world, establish characters and dynamics as well as
introduce my mythology in modern day Ohio. That done, Goddess allowed me to
dive in with frost giants, epic battles and more mythological players from the
very first page. It was a ton of fun and I’m giddy for readers to find it.
I’ve
also contracted a new YA with Lyrical/Kensington for release in early 2016. I
walked away from mythology for this one, tentatively titled, In Place of Never.
This is a dark, issue driven romance about a troubled girl and a traveling side
show. I love it. (Of course, I’m
somewhat biased).
Outside
the YA realm, I have a three book contract with Carina Press for a set of
quirky, upbeat mysteries, tentatively titled the Geek Girl Mysteries. They will
release in 2015 and 2016.
I
have some busy months ahead. I can’t wait!
A little bit about the author
Julie
Anne Lindsey is a multi-genre author who writes the stories that keep her up at
night. She’s a self-proclaimed nerd with a penchant for words and proclivity
for fun. Julie lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three small children.
Today, she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.
You
can find more information about Julie Anne Lindsey and my book, Prophecy at:
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