Author Interview - Julia Sutton
Author Julia Sutton is my interview guest this week.
Julia has published three novels and is finishing up book 4 of her School of Dreams series.
Thank you, Julia, for participating in my interview this week.
About Writing/Books/Being an Author
1. Do you remember the first book you read that had an impact on you - in what way and what was the name of that book?
Firstly, hello and thank you for interviewing me Sandra 😊
When I was a young girl, I loved Enid Blyton books (The Magic Faraway Tree) and Roald Dahl (James and the giant peach). They inspired me as a young girl to want to become an author. I loved escaping into fictitious worlds and this has always stayed with me.
Stephen King is a brilliant writer – Salem’s Lot is my favourite of his novels. I remember reading that as a teenager and being seriously impressed by his talent and also scared to death lol.
I’m currently reading all sorts of genres. Reading is my favourite hobby and I’ll give anything a go: romance, psychological thrillers, horror and most recently I’ve read my very first sci-fi novel by fellow Creativia author Phil Price.
2. When did you first realize you wanted to write?
I think it was probably when I was around 7. I used to write stories and poems even way back then and loved English at school. As a teenager I aspired to be a journalist or anything to do with writing. My life took a different route however and I was so busy with work and family that I didn’t have time to write. It wasn’t until I was in my 40s that I had my first novel published. Now I have more time to spend writing and have three published novels currently available via online stores such as Amazon and have almost finished my fourth book.
3. Who is/are your favourite author(s)?
So many, but these are a few that I’ve read multiple works of and really enjoyed: Carole Matthews, Milly Johnson, Jill Mansell, Lucy Diamond, Stephen King, Phil Price, Audrina Lane, Michelle Diana Lowe.
4. What is your favourite thing about writing? What is your least favourite thing?
I love producing a book from a tiny idea and creating diverse and interesting characters. Seeing my book in print is so exciting and fulfilling. The marketing aspect can be time consuming but enjoyable; I like connecting with others on social media and talking about my writing with the general public.
I don’t really have a least favourite, as I enjoy the complete writing process, but I do find blurbs challenging to write and also proofreading / editing can be draining.
5. Where do your ideas come from?
Mainly from my over-active imagination, but also from conversations, travelling too different places, news articles etc.
6. I’ve often found that creative people have more than one talent, what is yours?
I love drawing and would love to have a go at pottery and jewellery making. I’m also in the process of completing a proofreading course with the ambition to work with other writers in the future.
7. If you could jump inside of a book for one day (as an observer) what book would it be?
Probably the New Testament of the Holy Bible, as I want to know if Jesus really existed.
8. When you create characters, are they completely made up or do they resemble or remind you of people you know?
A mixture of both. Sometimes people I know or have fleetingly met do inspire me and other times the characters are completely made up. I recently had an idea for a holiday book whilst on holiday myself and the main character is inspired by one of my neighbours.
9. Have you ever created a character “out of thin air” only to run into someone in real life that
reminds you of that character either in personality or their features?
No that one’s never happened to me – yet LOL!
10. How do you come up with titles for your books?
Usually an idea pops into my head as I’m writing a plan but if I’m struggling, I write a list of words associated with the book’s themes and play around with them until I come up with a suitable title.
11. What are you working on now and can you tell us about it?
I’m currently working on the fourth and final book in the School of Dreams series. It’s called The Year of New Beginnings; I’ve written 75,000 words and almost finished. I also have a few ideas for new books: a Christmas book and a holiday romance book, which I intend to start after the School of Dreams is completed.
I’ve also written a few children’s stories which I have been sending off to agents in the hope that one day, they too will be published as books 😊
12. Have you won any awards for your writing/books and if so what?
No, I haven’t won any awards for my writing, but being a published author is reward enough for me.
A Little More Personal
13. What is one thing you haven’t done but would like to do?
Professionally I would love to have my children’s books published and to see my adult fiction on the shelves of physical book stores. Personally, I would love to go on a whale watching trip.
14. Do you have a favourite vacation spot? Where?
I love the island of Majorca and have holidayed there four times now. The beaches are beautiful, the sea is amazing and the people are super friendly.
15. Can you tell us about one of your favourite childhood memories?
Performing in the school play is one of my favourite childhood memories – I wanted to be the princess but was cast as a tom boy and in fact it was a great part to play – so much fun and more challenging.
16. What makes you happy?
Being with my family and friends makes me happy.
Writing, drawing, reading, exercising, eating nice food and sleeping also make me happy.
17. If you aren’t writing (or doing anything associated with writing), what are you doing?
Housework, listening to music, drawing, exercising, watching T.V.
18. Have you ever met anyone famous – who?
I’ve met the Pet Shop Boys way back in the 1980s and have their autographs somewhere in my bedside drawer.
Julia's Links
Facebook Author Page:- https://www.facebook.com/booksbyjulia1972 Twitter:- Julia Sutton Books @booksbyjulia72 Instagram:- Julia Sutton Books