14 Jul Interview with author Juliana Stevens
[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”1″ up=”10″ down=”10″][vc_column_text]Avid reader and passionate writer, Juliana Stevens has published over seven books so far. Her latest novel “Only for Pretend” features a cover design uniquely created by Kingwood Creations.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”1″ up=”10″ down=”10″][vc_column_text]Hi, my name is Alexandra, passionate graphic designer and art director that loves to create unique, high-quality, affordable premade book covers for independent authors. Through my work and my blog I aim to support the evergrowing independent publishing community. Join me in discovering exceptional writers and dedicated authors all over the world through my exclusive interview series.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”1″ up=”10″ down=”10″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”1″ up=”5″ down=”5″][vc_single_image image=”18433″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” style=”vc_box_border” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]
What was your main source of inspiration behind your latest novel, “Only for Pretend” ?
I always wanted to write a story about a couple faking a relationship, and then it turns into real love along the way. That is one of my favorite sub-genres of romance to read, and I wanted to write one.
What motivated you to become a writer? How, when, and why did you first start writing?
I was reading novels way back in elementary school. Going to the library was one of my favorite things to do. I started with The Babysitter’s Club and Nancy Drew and could spend entire weekends lost in a book. In middle school, I wrote poems and short stories once I finished any work being done in class. Writing is just something I’ve always done, like a second nature to me.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
What was your first completed work and what inspired you to write it?
I consider my first completed work to be my first full length novel. The story is about two best friends and roommates who have a love-hate relationship and eventually realize they belong together. It took me 3 years to write and will never see the light of day, but I have a soft spot for it because it was the first novel I ever completed.
What was your experience as a first-time author?
For a long while, I wrote books that were just for me and a few different friends who liked to read them. I eventually made the decision to publish my works, and then it was a question of traditional or self-publishing. I wrote a fantasy romance series and decided to self-publish one at a time and have continued in that direction since.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”1″ up=”10″ down=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
What would you change or do differently about your previously published works?
I don’t know if there is any one thing I would change. Now and then, I go to an older work and polish up a paragraph or two, but for the most part, I tend to move on. Hopefully, my writing is just a little smoother with each book I publish. That is the goal, anyway!
How do you approach character development? Do your characters evolve on their own throughout the story or do you outline their traits, motivations, and personality before you start writing?
This is definitely a bit of both for me. I write a few traits out in a very vague outline, along with a backstory on why a character would be this way or that way. Then, as the story goes on, they start to evolve on their own.
What part of a story do you usually find the hardest to write?
The middle. I always have a general idea of what will happen, an event or two that will take place before the ending, which is one of the first things I write. So, that middle area will get me sometimes, not wanting too much repetition or filler pages.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”18440″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”right” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent” thickness=”1″ up=”10″ down=”10″][vc_column_text]
What is your writing setup, and do you have any kind of “writing ritual” to boost your inspiration?
Typically, I already have in my head the beginning and end of a story, and I will write those out while they’re fresh. Other than that, I listen to a lot of good music and write.
What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received? How did it influence your writing?
I’ve never been given any advice, but I’ve always been an avid reader. I think a lot of my influence over the years has come from some of my favorite authors, just wanting to be like one of them in general.
What are the most important things that an author should pay attention to when publishing their work?
I don’t know how helpful I can be since I have gone the self-publishing route. But for me, I just edit, edit, edit, and don’t overthink too much. I am a perfectionist and know no book is ever finished. I could go back to one I wrote years ago and tweak a quote or add a comma somewhere and, hey, sometimes I do! But, really, I just read it over and over until it’s the best I think it can be and hit submit!
What is your personal top 3 favorite books of all time and why?
“Pride and Prejudice” will always be number one for me. And, I can add Jane Austen in general, anything she did will always be my top favorite books, so I will group them together. Her writing holds up to this day and always puts me in a good mood. I love a happy ending, I love her witty writing, and characters that grow and change for the better. After that, Jane Eyre. I read it every couple of years and it never gets old. I love a strong female character, and the character of Jane is well before her time and her love story with Rochester is beyond well-written. The last book I will add is “Miss Treadwell’s Talent”, written by Barbara Metzger. I find myself reading this one every couple of years as well. The characters make me laugh out loud and it is such a sweet historical romance, a major weakness of mine. And, again, I am always in a good mood when I finish, and that is all I can ask for.
Which book are you currently reading?
I have been lost in writing “Only for Pretend”, but now I am ready to read a good book. I have so many books on my Kindle and will read the first one to catch my eye. I love all genres, from romance to thriller to horror.
What are your future writing goals?
My goal is to always grow as a writer, to not use repetitive words and to have fun and engaging characters. I have two books I am working on right now and look forward to publishing them in the next year.
Follow Juliana’s work on social media at:
Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”small” position=”center” thickness=”1″ up=”30″ down=”30″]
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