|
Biography
 Julie Skerven lives in scenic central Wisconsin with her husband of over 30 years. She's the proud mother of two very talented, grown children. Having been a dedicated reader through out her life, Julie feels that the Romance Genre in particular speaks to the best in all of us; the universal need for love, honor, and commitment.
Several years ago, she decided to try her hand at writing a romance novel, Fool's Gold, published by Hard Shell Word Factory, was the result. Subsequent enticing tales; Her Heart's Desire, Serena's Web and It Had to Be You are currently available from Whiskey Creek Press.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family. Julie is a member of Romance Writers of America, WisRWA, Outreach, and EPIC.
Frequently Asked Questions
| |
|
Q.
|
Where do you get the ideas for your books?
|
A.
|
Daydreaming. I sometimes start with an opening
line that pops in my head or a glimmer of an idea for a story.
I'll play with it in my head and brood about it, sometimes
for days, before I actually sit down to write it.
• • • • •
•
|
Q.
|
What are your writing habits? Do you have a set writing
schedule?
|
A.
|
I like to sit down to write in the morning with
a good cup of coffee. I try to write in the morning and edit
in the afternoon. Note, I said I try. The truth is I'm naturally
a night owl. Given the chance I'll stay up half the night
writing and sleep late into the morning. But given my day
job, I usually can't indulge my natural body clock.
• • • • •
•
|
Q.
|
Which of your books or short stories is your favorite?
|
A.
|
My favorite is usually the one I'm working on
at the time. However, I'd have to pick Her Heart's Desire.
It's a story I carried around in my heart for a long time
before I wrote it. Also, the short stories I've written for
the Jewels of the Quill anthologies were fun, especially the
Futuristic one titled Peridot Moon. Writing about a far away
world was a step outside my comfort zone.
• • • • •
•
|
Q.
|
What comes first in your books, the plot or the characters?
|
A.
|
Characters. My books are most definitely character
driven. Many writers outline meticulous plots before they
write one word of their stories. I can't work that way. I
have to let my characters tell their own stories, with a little
help from me.
• • • • •
•
|
Q.
|
Why do you write romance?
|
A.
|
I'm a born romantic; it's just the way I'm made.
I'm such a marshmallow I cry at sappy commercials. I think
that romantic literature speaks to the best in all of us,
the need for love, honor, and commitment.
• • • • •
•
|
Q.
|
How long did you write before you sold your first book?
|
A.
|
I wrote off and on for about six years before
I made my first sale. When I first started out I was a novice,
and I have a pile of rejection slips to prove it. Joining
RWA was the first big step in my journey as a writer. Participating
in critique groups and entering contests educated me in my
craft and helped me develop skills. Six years later, I was
thrilled when Hard Shell offered me a contract to publish
Fool's Gold.
• • • • •
•
|
Q.
|
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
|
A.
|
Talk to other writers, share tools, advice,
and tips. Join a professional organization and find someone
trustworthy to critique your work. And most of all write.
Don't give up. I'm living proof that you can make it. I didn't
have a formal education to become a writer. I didn't even
have a college degree. What I did have was a burning need
to write and perseverance.
|
| |
|
|
