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 FAQ This is where you can find everything you ever wanted to know about Julie, but were afraid to ask. And if you aren't afraid to ask—and the answer isn't here—send Julie an email. She'll answer you and post the question and answer in the FAQ. Unless you're asking her weight. In that case, forget it! Please do check below before emailing—thanks!  About Julie
About Writing
About Julie's Books
About Everything Else
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ABOUT JULIE
A: My next book is a novella (the story is called A Step In The Right Direction) in an anthology called These Boots Were Made For Stomping, and it will be out in April. After that, the next book in the Kate Connor, Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series will be out in July. You can read more about Deja Demon here! Believe it or not, those are my only two books scheduled for 2008 (at the moment, anyway!). That's because I'm working my tail off on a new series that will be published back to back by Ace (Penguin Putnam's mass market fantasy imprint) in 2009, probably in the spring. I'm very excited! The first three books of the series are tentatively titled Tainted, Torn and Turned, and they'll hit shelves in 2009. Stay tuned for more details!
A: In California, but I can still claim native Texan-ship. No, truly. My parents are both from Texas, and they were in California working at NASA.
A: Libra. I'm a very balanced individual. No, really.
A: Oh, sure. Why not. Here are pictures from when I was two, four, eight and nine. 
A: Absolutely. It's the first thing I can remember wanting to be. And although other things popped in and out on occasion (veterinarian, Broadway star (can't sing or act), pilot (lousy eyes)) "writer" was the only thing that stuck. For a while, I thought I'd go the journalism route, but fiction has always been my passion.
A: My whole life, or about two years, depending on which story you like better. I've fiddled with writing my entire life, and have the boxes and tubs filled with paper to prove it. But I never got serious about finishing a novel until early 1997. Prior to that, I'd started researching the romance market, but I hadn't seriously put pen to paper. In 1996, I learned about RWA and soon started researching in more depth. I got heavily involved with the Austin chapter after I returned from a trip to Las Vegas, wherein I had spent seven unexpected days recovering from emergency surgery, and my husband spent seven days gambling without me. Which, frankly, is the only reason I remember the date. I finished one manuscript, had it rejected (but the good kind of rejection) and started a second. That second manuscript finaled in several first chapter contests through RWA and an editor requested the full. I spent a hectic two weeks writing the last one hundred twenty pages, mailed that puppy off, and in June of 1999, it sold. Much champagne was imbibed.
A: I do, but I use "Julie" instead of "Julia," which is no big stretch, since I'd grown up as Julie.
A: Nope. I met my husband at the opening of Jurassic Park (June 11, 1993). We'd come with mutual friends, and we hit it off. After that, though, I didn't see him again until I worked up the courage to invite him to a July 4 party I was having. He came, we talked, had our first official date the following Saturday, and got married in October of that year. Going on year 15 now, so I think fast can be just fine!
A: Yup! Two fabulous girls. We also have three cats who think they're kids. Especially Tiger, because we've had her since before her eyes were open, since momma cat abandoned her because her umbilical cord had gotten wrapped around her leg. (You haven't lived until you've seen acupuncture on a 3-day old kitten. Trust me on that one.) We had Tiger before either of our girls, so she's certain she's the first baby. In fact, here's a picture of her getting her bottle. 
A: I'd love to star in Broadway musicals. Since I can't sing, though, I'm thinking that one's not going to happen. A more realistic option? Restoring and/or flipping houses. I think it would be great fun to get in there and fix a place up.
A: I write full-time and homeschool two kids. I'm not sure I know of this "hobby" of which you speak ... Okay, seriously, I do have hobbies. In my days B.C. (before children), I loved to SCUBA dive. But actually, that was more in my days B.TX (before returning to Texas) because though diving while living in Orange County was fabulous, diving in Austin wasn't as much fun, no matter what they tell you about Lake Travis being "deep" and "clear." It's brown and murky. I also love to travel, and fortunately, the whole family does, too. One of Isabella's earliest signs was for "hotel." And though we don't travel as much as we did before we had kids, my husband and I still love to get out and explore other places when we can. Check the Photo Gallery for some of my travel pictures! Other than that, I love to read when I have time (that's one of the downsides of writing—less time to read!), watch movies, and rearrange the furniture in my house. Usually at 2 a.m., to my husband's consternation.
A: Yup! As of June 2004. Before that, I did double-duty as an attorney and author.
A: When I'm not on deadline, yes, but considering Life With Kids and Life With Deadlines, I'm pulled in a million directions, and cyberspace is what has to give. When I am online, you can find me at www.myspace.com/juliekenner or at http://writes-and-wrongs.blogspot.com And it's my New Webpage Resolution to update both more frequently. So stay tuned! Hopefully that's one resolution I'm really going to keep. (Hey, it's more fun than keeping the house neat!)
A: Walmart. Aisle 15.
A: There are a lot of movies I love. Star Wars will always be my favorite (and I'm talking episode 4. I also love Empire and enjoy Jedi, but episodes 1, 2 & 3 don't do it for me at all, which is a shame, since there was a brief moment when I considered doubling my film major with computer science so I could apply for a job at Lucasfilm). Sigh. Independence Day, The Cutting Edge and The Italian Job are probably my favorite guilty pleasure movies. And, of course, I love, adore, and can't live without Monty Python and the Holy Grail and The Princess Bride. Oh. And Galaxy Quest. (WHY isn't there a sequel?????)
A: I have an office in my house that is usually so messy it's scary. I'd post a picture, but I'm afraid it would fry your brain. Seriously. And I also love to work on my Neo out of the house. Starbucks is my favorite. Another New Webpage Resolution: Organize my office.
A: Don't have one. Honest.
A: Current favorite is The Shield, though I'm thoroughly enjoying House, too. Vintage fav is I Dream of Jeannie, and reality show fav is Flipping Out and the various home repair and flipping shows on cable, that I can't watch because we only have basic and they aren't available on iTunes and you can't download to a Mac. Is anybody out there at HGTV or TLC listening to me? iTunes, people! iTunes!
A: A Wrinkle in Time.
A: Tostitos and Pace picante sauce. Or, if I happen to be at a conference with my fabulous critique partners, Dee Davis and Kathleen O'Reilly, then "popettes"—our name for those itty-bitty powdered sugar donuts. Yum.
A: 1. Once deposed Darryl Gates as part of a lawsuit arising out of the Rodney King riots, and he referred to me on his radio show as a "lady lawyer." (Technically true, but I thought it was hysterical). 2. My wedding announcement was published in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. 3. When I appeared as an extra in Future Kill, I was "punked up" so I could sit in a doorway drinking a beer, and sneer at the good guys as they climbed over me into a club. The still photographer for the film took a picture of me, and I sent it to my dad. YEARS later, he said something that made it clear that he hadn't realized I was dressed for the film in the picture. He thought his little girl had changed a lot that first year of college! 4. I got a B in gym in high school. It was my only B. I was mortified. 5. I have only recently been able to keep peanut butter in the house. Before, it would disappear spoonful by spoonful with lightning speed. 6. Ditto New York Style cheesecake. 7. I once negotiated for an antique typewriter in the South of France, using my very limited French, only to find out at the end of the loooong transaction that the guy spoke fluent English. 8. I tried—and genuinely found disgusting—escargot. But not in France. In Houston. 9. I am learning piano even as we speak. 10. I was once conned by an elderly shyster in London.  ABOUT WRITING
A: I'm supposed to have a process? Oh. Wait. This is the serious part of the FAQ. And it deserves a serious answer. Seriously, my process has changed over the years. Just as I used to be able to write with the TV on (and now need silence), the actual way the words come out has changed, too. My advice in that regard is to listen to your mental rhythms and give yourself permission to change your process. Notwithstanding that advice, I can say that my process has always involved diving right in. I think about a story, get the main character and the plot, and start writing. Even if I'm going to sell a story on synopsis (or on a blurb), I need to have written at least a few pages for myself in order to "feel" the book. For my last two books, I've written incredibly detailed synopses (25+ pages single-space) and worked out many of the plot points ahead of time. That's a change for me, since in the past I've written "by the seat of my pants." I've also started skipping ahead, making shorthand notes in a chapter and moving on so that the story can come rushing out without having to worry about the speed of my fingers. Before, though, I couldn't move ahead unless every sentence, every word, was what I wanted. Now, I'm much more comfortable fixing the book on a second (or third) go-round. I've also found that I don't write as fast as I used to. Considering the changes in my life (kids and homeschooling) I'm not sure if it's because my process has changed or simply b/c there aren't as many hours in the day to write fifteen pages.
A: Primarily in the evenings. I'm back to what I call my "lawyer schedule"—as in, I'm writing at night after the day job. In this case, the day job being the kids. I do try to get up in the morning and write—some days it works, some days it doesn't. I'm not a morning person at all, so most days it doesn't. Which means that I write after the littles sack out and after I've hung out with my husband for a while. Of course, there are nights when I have no discipline and simply hang out and read! Those nights usually roll over into frantic weekends when "Mommy has to work! She's taking the Neo to Starbucks! Be good for Daddy!"
A: I have a spreadsheet that maps out at through the upcoming year (or later, depending on how far out I'm contracted). And based on that, I know how many pages I need to hit each day. And if I miss that day, I have to hit a total for the week. And if I miss that ... Well, you get the picture. Miss too many deadlines, and I'm pulling all-nighters with a full pot of coffee!
A: Read. Read a lot. It sounds trite, but it really is the best possible advice. By reading, you absorb the rhythms of story-telling. Did you know that for years, students in school did copywork? Literally copying sections of texts from great writers? The idea is to allow kids to learn excellent writing techniques without having to come up with original ideas. It trains the mind so that later—when the ideas are there—they present properly on paper. The same idea can work for adults learning to write fiction. (And, no, this isn't plagiarism since no one is going to try to pass off as their own what has been copied. It's a learning tool, and an effective one at that, time-tested and still in use today by classical educators.) ABOUT JULIE'S BOOKS
A: Well, when I was having lunch with Chris C last week ... Ahem. Wait. No. That didn't really happen. Dang. Seriously, the movie is moving through the process, and is still very actively in development. I haven't bought a dress for the premiere yet, but, hey, I'm optimistic. (And if it does get down to buying a dress, I'm so losing five pounds. Really.)
A: As many more as there are fresh and interesting stories about Kate to tell. Seriously, I know how I want to wrap up the series when the endpoint does loom on the horizon, but I have a full supply of story lines waiting in the transom before arriving at that point!
A: Well, never say never. But no, the story arc played itself out through the books and I have moved on to other series that I think readers who enjoyed the Aphrodite series will also enjoy. That's not to say I won't revisit the world, though. I've just turned in A Step In The Right Direction to my editor, which is a novella with a Protector hero. It's not totally in the Protector world, but I still think fans will enjoy the romp with superheroes! Look for it in April 2008 in the anthology, These Boots Were Made For Stomping.
A: You don't have to, but I think you'd have more fun if you do, since there is an overarching story arch for one character in particular. (Mordichai, for those of you dying to know who I'm talking about.) You can check out the order of the books, and short synopses, here. The novella, Seeking Single Superhero, in the A Mother's Way anthology, fits in between Kiss and Passion, but can definitely be read out of order, as can A Step In The Right Direction), in the anthology These Boots Were Made For Stomping (coming in April 2008).
A: Unfortunately, I won't be writing any more novels in the series (well, again, never say never. But there's nothing contracted). At the same time, I do want to finish off Beth's story, and I'm looking into ways to accomplish that, possibly through Amazon shorts. Stay tuned.
A: No. The Givenchy Code, The Manolo Matrix and The Prada Paradox were always meant to be a trilogy. I've had a wonderful response from fans, both domestic and foreign, and I'm so thrilled by the enthusiasm. But sometimes an author has to know when not to continue a good thing. I have lots of ideas, though, and "chase the clues" books are some of my favorites. If only there were more hours in a day and more months in a year!
A: Nope! Too bad I'm not a game developer. Might be fun to put together (well, the computer part. Not the assassins-in-real-life part).
A: No, but you'll have a lot more fun if you do. You can check out the order of the books, and short synopses, here.
A: No, it's not. There are no similarities other than the play on words for my title. My series is fashionista suspense, with smart heroines forced to follow clues to save their lives by staying one step ahead of an assassin.
A: Most of them, yes, though I admit to changing the layout of restaurants, fudging details, and generally taking literary license. I mean, hey, that's a writer's prerogative, right?
A: Yes, but not as frequently. I do have two coming up for November and December of 2009! Christmas and New Year's stories ... details to come later (as in 'I must think up a story to write!').
A: You betcha! My Harlequins are sold to a whole bunch of other countries, and I never quite know where until the books arrive in the mailbox or I get a royalty statement. With the other books, I have the foreign rights, and my agent negotiates the sales. The Demon books and the Codebreaker series have together been published in the following countries: Czechoslovakia, Spain, Russia, Estonia, Japan, Germany, Latvia, Romania and the Netherlands. Check it out! I've now got the entire Play-Survive-Win series in Russian, along with Carpe Demon! More foreign covers coming soon as I scan them in!    
EVERYTHING ELSE
A: Thanks! And, um, no. Clearly you haven't visited my previous, disorganized website. The fabulous folks at xuni.com are taking care of me now. Which means that—yay!—the website doesn't have to wait for me to remember how to access my FTP client.
A: Yup, and I love it. (And, so far, so do they. My oldest tells me she wants to be homeschooled through college. She just turned 6. I'm thinking she'll change her mind.) To be fair, I only "officially" homeschool the oldest, as the youngest just turned 4. At home, we mostly play (though there is educational play in there). She spends two days each week (for two hours) in an early intervention speech program. During that time, Catherine and I usually do school at a local coffee shop. Gotta love homeschooling.
A: It's the best choice for our family at this point in our lives.
A: I mix and match for the subjects I'm teaching. Right now, we're doing a classical approach (a cross between The Well-Trained Mind and The Latin-Centered Curriculum). I have our current curriculum posted on my blog.
A: I post occasionally on my blog about our homeschooling adventures. (And, yes, that same resolution applies ... gonna try to be more diligent this year about posting). Check there for the scoop (and you can link from there to some other homeschooling blogs and resources that I like.)
A: In addition to local wildlife rescue charities, our family actively and primarily supports charities that help orphans in China. The two that I give to on a monthly basis are Love Without Boundaries and Half The Sky. Here is a picture of Sarah, the little girl whose pre-school education we sponsor through Love Without Boundaries. You can read more about the charities I support here. 
A: I could talk endlessly about it! Probably best, though, for you to visit www.redthreadchronicles.blogspot.com and my current www.writes-and-wrongs.blogspot.com—the first one focuses solely on our journey to Isabella. The new blog is a conglomeration—writing, homeschooling, the kids, and everything else.
A: Again, I'm going to suggest that you check out my blog. If you'd like to see posts specifically related to the cleft palate issues, you can use the "category" feature. I will say that Isabella is doing fabulously! She's active and funny and silly and sweet, and it's so hard to believe she hasn't been with us her whole life. She may not articulate her words properly yet, but that isn't something that holds this kid back!
A: Send 'em in! I'll answer them and post them here!  |
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