Welcome to BookEnds, Julie Stone!

Tell us a bit about your writing process. Where do you write, and how often?

I try to write every day, even if I only have a short amount of time. I have the greatest office-its full of all of my favorite things! I found this fantastic oil landscape painting at a vintage shop-the kind people hung over their davenports in the 70s, and an artist has added “welcome to crazy town” over the top of it. It makes me smile every time.

What do you love about writing [insert your genre(s) here]?

I love getting inside the heads of my female characters and letting them do things the way they want, even if it is nontraditional. I love figuring out what makes them tick, and letting them make mistakes and then correct them. Mostly I love when they laugh at themselves.

Why did you choose the genre you’ve chosen?

I can’t imagine writing anything too serious. It just isn’t my personality.  I like giving my readers an escape, and maybe making them laugh if I’m lucky.

What is the hardest part about writing [insert your genre(s) here]?

Trying to decide if it’s funny or just ridiculous. You know, everyone thinks they are a comedian…

If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing?

Hanging with my family. I love baseball-so watching that or going to live games if I can. I love to go vintage shopping, too.

Do you belong to any writing organizations?

Nationally, I belong to RWA and WFA. Locally I am a member of the Des Moines Writer’s Workshop

Where can readers find you on the web and social media?

My Website is www.booksbyjuliestone.com. Twitter: @writergirl70, Facebook: Author Julie Stone and Instagram: @juliestoneauthor

What’s the last book you read?

The Arrangement by Sarah Dunn. So good and outrageous. I couldn’t put it down.

If money were no object, what would be your dream writing location?

Somewhere near the water, probably a lake house. I like winter too much to commit to the beach.

What’s your favorite quote about reading or writing?

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only once. ~George R.R. Martin.

What’s your favorite piece of writing advice you’ve received?

If you aren’t actually writing, you just want to be a writer.

Plotter or pantser?

Both-pantser until about halfway through, and then plotter. Is that allowed?

Synopses, love them or hate ‘em?

Hate. I have too much to say, so they are ALWAYS too long.

Do you have a writing playlist or a vision board? If so, what’s on them?

Playlist-a mish-mash of songs, but they are all from the 80s. Depending on the scene I am working on, it could be anything from pop to ballads to rock.

Drink of choice when writing? When not writing?

The big three: coffee, water, and wine. As the day progresses, in that order.

What excites you most about joining the BookEnds family?

I love the idea of being a part of the team!

What advice would you give to other authors in the query trenches?

Don’t give up! The road to success is littered with people who gave up too soon. Your big break could be right around the corner.

If you could meet any author, living or dead, who would you want to meet and why?

There are just so many- but I think I’d pick Katherine Dunn. Her Geek Love really showed me that creativity has no boundaries.