Q&A with featured writer Julie
Published author Julie Navickas talks about her writing process, creating a series, newsletter and website tips, and more!
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I remember when Julie posted on Instagram announcing that her book was going to be published. We didn’t know each other well yet, but I felt SO happy for her. As I remember it, I reached out to congratulate her and she replied in her usual approachable, super nice fashion.
Over the years, we’ve kept in touch, and I always feel happy for Julie when I see her newsletter reach my inbox with news of more of her books being published—so far, 6!
Julie has kindly agreed to share with us about her writing journey.
In this Q&A:
writing and editing process
creating a series
website and newsletter tips
writing advice
Bio: Julie Navickas
“Julie Navickas is a best-selling author of contemporary romance with Inkspell Publishing.
She is known for her keen ability to tell heart-wrenching, second-chance love stories through relatable characters with humility, humour and heroism. Her Trading Heartbeats trilogy is the recipient of a Literary Global Book Award and 4 first place wins with the BookFest in the contemporary romance category. Her debut trilogy has also earned 3 finalist designations with the American Writing Awards and a Clarion Award.
Julie is an award-winning university instructor in the School of Communication at Illinois State University and works in corporate communications at COUNTRY Financial. She has earned Master’s degrees in both organizational communication and English studies, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in public relations.”
Q&A with Julie
From what I see in your newsletter, you're writing and writing—way to go! When did you first know you’re a writer, and that you wanted to write books?
Julie: I first knew I was a writer in the 4th grade when my story The Escape from the Fridge earned a classroom Young Author’s Award.
I didn’t engage in creative writing again, though, until graduate school. I enrolled in a scriptwriting course for fun and developed a story that eventually turned into my first novel, I Loved You Yesterday. And now that I’ve started, I can’t seem to stop! I just wrapped up writing my ninth novel yesterday!
Can you tell us about your writing process? For example, when do you do most of your writing, and how deeply do you plan or not plan as you write a new story?
Julie: I have a full-time career in corporate communications at an insurance company and have 3 young kids (ages 8, 7, and 6), so I do my best to fit writing in around everyone else’s busy schedule. Most of the time I’m able to write in the evening, or sneak in a few words over my lunch hour.
I also belong to a writer’s group, Carpe Diem, and we meet on Zoom every Wednesday night for about 2 hours. That’s been a wonderful way to stay accountable and have dedicated time to write.
When I first started writing, I used to be a plotter. But the more comfortable I became with the process, the more I leaned into the pantser lifestyle. Now, my process is to “make it up as I go along” for about the first 40% of the story. Then, I take a pause and loosely map out the remaining chapters. It’ll evolve and change, but that’s become my process these days!
“Most of the time I’m able to write in the evening, or sneak in a few words over my lunch hour. I also belong to a writer’s group.”
When you’re done writing your first draft, what is your editing process?
Julie: I think I do everything you shouldn’t, haha! I nitpick and fully flesh out each chapter before moving onto the next. That way, when my draft is complete, I have a solid story and not an outline.
I know other writers use the first draft to create the structure and bones and then go back in and fill in the details, but that process doesn’t resonate with me. We all have to do what works best for us!
I remember reading your post when you announced your first book was getting published. Even though we had just met online, I felt SO happy for you. Can you tell us about your experience with setting out to publish that story?
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