>>This week on the blog, we have author Julie Wetzel! Read on to find out about her writing routines and where she gets her inspiration from.
Little Birdy Book Blog: What inspired you to start writing?
Julie Wetzel: I started writing when my sister joined the US Navy. Due to their regulations, she could not get online to read her stories. She begs ups to send her stuff to keep her entertained in the long hours between watches. So, instead of downloading her fanfictions, I started writing her stories. I would email her a chapter a day.
By the time I was eight chapters in, I started getting emails from other sailor asking for the chapters. Apparently my sister was sending it out to her friends. By the time I was done with the first story, I had a whole list of people I was sending it to. And then they wanted to know where the next story was, so I had to keep writing.
LBBB: How long did it take for you to write your first book?
J.W.: The first and second book are one full story. I took me about two months to complete it.
LBBB: How do you come up with ideas for your stories?
J.W.: When I asked my sister what type of story she wanted, she said vampires. So I dug around and found a villain that wasn't usually pitted against vampires. Once I had that plot device, I let my characters lead me from there.
LBBB: What is your writing routine like? Do you have a set schedule or are you flexible?
J.W.: I'm pretty flexible when it comes to my writing. I usually write better when I've just woken up or late at night. I think being slightly tired lets my brain ramble on more then being alert does. There is only one thing that I really need to write. That is quiet. If it is not quiet, I end you playing on facebook.
LBBB: What inspires you to write?
J.W.: Most of my story lines come from dreams. Either daydreams while I'm mindlessly stocking shelves at work, or real dreams. Although I have gotten some really good ones from a few cover art challenges. We will have to see where those go.
LBBB: Are any of your stories written from personal experience, or any character traits that mirror yours?
J.W.: There are lots of bits of me in my characters. I pull from things I've seen or done to fill in parts of the stories, but I think that is true about any author. If you have no personal experience with something at all, how do you convincingly describe it to others?
LBBB: When in a slump, what do you do? If you read or listen to music, what are your go-to books or music?
J.W.: If I hit a wall and can't get the words out, I go take a hot shower. If that doesn't loosen the story up, I take a nap. And if I am still stuck, I write what's in my head. Eventually the part of the original story that has me stumped will unfold and let me tell it.
LBBB: How do you respond to negative feedback/comments with your work?
J.W.: Well, I usually call my mother and gripe about it for a bit, have some chocolate, have a nap, and get over it. If you focus on the negative, you will never see the positive. Not everyone is going to like what I do. You have to expect negative feedback in this field. I do read all my comments and ratings, positive and negative, but I don't dwell on them.
LBBB: What is your writing space like? Do you work anywhere or do you have a special place just for your writing? Messy or clean?
J.W.: I have a very small writing space, and it is MESSY. I really don't have a place to dedicate to just writing, so I have a small TV table that I put my laptop on, but the end table next to me is cluttered with everything from flowers to hair ties. It is rather scary.
LBBB: Do you have a favorite author? Series?
J.W.: I can't really say I have a single favorite author or series. That changes with the mood I'm in.
LBBB: Any fur-babies?
J.W.: I have a beautiful Russian Blue cat names Ashes. She pushing 12 years old now.
Julie Wetzel: I started writing when my sister joined the US Navy. Due to their regulations, she could not get online to read her stories. She begs ups to send her stuff to keep her entertained in the long hours between watches. So, instead of downloading her fanfictions, I started writing her stories. I would email her a chapter a day.
By the time I was eight chapters in, I started getting emails from other sailor asking for the chapters. Apparently my sister was sending it out to her friends. By the time I was done with the first story, I had a whole list of people I was sending it to. And then they wanted to know where the next story was, so I had to keep writing.
LBBB: How long did it take for you to write your first book?
J.W.: The first and second book are one full story. I took me about two months to complete it.
LBBB: How do you come up with ideas for your stories?
J.W.: When I asked my sister what type of story she wanted, she said vampires. So I dug around and found a villain that wasn't usually pitted against vampires. Once I had that plot device, I let my characters lead me from there.
LBBB: What is your writing routine like? Do you have a set schedule or are you flexible?
J.W.: I'm pretty flexible when it comes to my writing. I usually write better when I've just woken up or late at night. I think being slightly tired lets my brain ramble on more then being alert does. There is only one thing that I really need to write. That is quiet. If it is not quiet, I end you playing on facebook.
LBBB: What inspires you to write?
J.W.: Most of my story lines come from dreams. Either daydreams while I'm mindlessly stocking shelves at work, or real dreams. Although I have gotten some really good ones from a few cover art challenges. We will have to see where those go.
LBBB: Are any of your stories written from personal experience, or any character traits that mirror yours?
J.W.: There are lots of bits of me in my characters. I pull from things I've seen or done to fill in parts of the stories, but I think that is true about any author. If you have no personal experience with something at all, how do you convincingly describe it to others?
LBBB: When in a slump, what do you do? If you read or listen to music, what are your go-to books or music?
J.W.: If I hit a wall and can't get the words out, I go take a hot shower. If that doesn't loosen the story up, I take a nap. And if I am still stuck, I write what's in my head. Eventually the part of the original story that has me stumped will unfold and let me tell it.
LBBB: How do you respond to negative feedback/comments with your work?
J.W.: Well, I usually call my mother and gripe about it for a bit, have some chocolate, have a nap, and get over it. If you focus on the negative, you will never see the positive. Not everyone is going to like what I do. You have to expect negative feedback in this field. I do read all my comments and ratings, positive and negative, but I don't dwell on them.
LBBB: What is your writing space like? Do you work anywhere or do you have a special place just for your writing? Messy or clean?
J.W.: I have a very small writing space, and it is MESSY. I really don't have a place to dedicate to just writing, so I have a small TV table that I put my laptop on, but the end table next to me is cluttered with everything from flowers to hair ties. It is rather scary.
LBBB: Do you have a favorite author? Series?
J.W.: I can't really say I have a single favorite author or series. That changes with the mood I'm in.
LBBB: Any fur-babies?
J.W.: I have a beautiful Russian Blue cat names Ashes. She pushing 12 years old now.
Author Bio:
Originally from Ohio, Julie always dreamed of a job in science. Either shooting for the stars or delving into the mysteries of volcanoes. But, life never leads where you expect. In 2007, she moved to Mississippi to be with her significant other.
Now a mother of a hyperactive red headed boy, what time she’s not chasing down dirty socks and unsticking toys from the ceiling is spent crafting worlds readers can get lost in. Julie is a self-proclaimed bibliophile and lover of big words. She likes hiking, frogs, interesting earrings, and a plethora of other fun things.
Now a mother of a hyperactive red headed boy, what time she’s not chasing down dirty socks and unsticking toys from the ceiling is spent crafting worlds readers can get lost in. Julie is a self-proclaimed bibliophile and lover of big words. She likes hiking, frogs, interesting earrings, and a plethora of other fun things.