Interview with Julie Arduini

How about a small bio?

I love to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. I’m the author of the Amazon bestseller, ENTRUSTED, and upcoming ENTRUSTED and ENGAGED. I also shared my story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. I blog every other Wednesday for Christians Read. I reside in Ohio with my husband and two children.

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Why did you start writing? How did you start writing?

I was always writing, even before I knew how to write I was scribbling on pieces of paper. I believe God created me to write. When I finally got serious about it years later, graduated from the Christian Writer’s Guild and started submitting to FaithWriters.

        How did you select your genre?

I think it selected me. I always read contemporary romances and as young as middle school I was the girl on the bus passing out daily papers updating friends on the latest perils in what today would be a sad middle school soap opera. I don’t consider the genre superficial as it’s faced that criticism. Instead, I feel it’s an open door for me to share Surrender Issues and of course, chocolate!

       What is your writing day like?

Things are different this year as I my husband has a new position that allows him to work from home, and I am branching out in what I do and how I do it. This year I bought the iBloom planner and that really helps me stay on track. I start with devotional time and prayer, move into reading emails, updating a couple social media sites, and then I have a specific task. I’m either in research, writing, revising, critiquing other works, or marketing. I try to get as much as I can done before school gets out. If I’ve been interrupted a lot, I’ll probably get back at it once everyone goes to bed.

     How do you organize your writing? (outlines/note cards/post-its)

I use yWriter software to plot, organize research, character notes, etc…

     What's the most surprising thing a character has “told you”?

That through his death, he was going to make a way for others to pursue their dreams.

      Do you have a list of characters that you're saving for future use? What kind of information do you keep on these characters.

Yes. Through yWriter I have a character database of past, present and future characters. I use names, setting, what book, their choices, if they are minor or major characters, their surrender issue, chocolate preference, what they look like.

       What does your work space/office look like?

It changed this year. My husband now has the office so I work out of our dining room. I’ve made my things portable so I can set it aside and things can look neat again. I have a great view of the woods and enjoy watching birds as I think.

      What is your go-to snack when writing?

I do enjoy a Dove bar or some Hershey kisses. However, I try to steam carrots or eat a salad.

       If you could only recommend one NOVEL, what would it be? Why?

That’s so hard because I’d love to show you my Goodreads page and tell you to read them all. However, since you said one, I’ll go with WHAT A GIRL WANTS by Kristin Billerbeck. I felt like Ashley Stockingdale gave me permission to write a sassy heroine who could be beloved. Jenna Anderson in ENTRUSTED was created after realizing it was okay to be funny, bold and strong even if everyone in the world was telling me chick lit was dead.

   . If you could only recommend one CRAFT book (writing, no crocheting), what would it                be? Why?

     Thank goodness you don’t mean crochet! Easy. FROM THE INSIDE OUT: Discover, Create              and Publish the Novel in You! By Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck. They were so            generous with what they have learned and shared all of it. My copy is a mess. I go back to it time and time again.

     Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I’m committed this year and beyond to have consistent resources available to help audiences find freedom through surrender. Whether it’s my Adirondack series, new books coming, or speaking, learn more by visiting http://juliearduini.com. I invite readers to subscribe to my monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway opportunities at JULIE ARDUINI: SURRENDER ISSUES AND CHOCOLATE as well as my weekly encouragement email, SUNDAY’S SURRENDER AND CHOCOLATE. I appreciate you thinking of me for this interview. Thank you, this was fun!

Intrigued?  Julie is having a giveaway here:  https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/196512-entangled

Entangled: Surrendering the Past

Book #2, Surrendering Time Series

Julie Arduini

“You need to leave me alone. It’s the least you can do.”

Carla Rowling has been given her dream of attending cosmetology school. The gift is so generous she feels unworthy because of choices she made as a teen. The pressure mounts as Carla juggles school, is a single mom, helps her best friend Jenna plan her wedding, spends time with boyfriend Will Marshall, and deals with the fact that her son's father is back in their lives.

Will Marshall is the one Speculator Falls resident everyone can count on. His truck deliveries are reliable. He's the first to help friends like Ben Regan with boat work or be a card partner with Bart Davis. Will's ready to settle down with Carla, loving her is natural. He's bonded with her son, Noah. But when Carla starts cosmetology school, she puts emotional distance between her and Will.

Can Carla release her past and create a future full of highlights, or, will she burn her options worse than a bad perm?

Purchase Link:

Amazon (Kindle and Print):  http://www.amazon.com/Entangled-Surrendering-Past-Time/dp/0692713476/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1464881433&sr=1-1&keywords=julie+arduini

Entangled is book #2. Although it can standalone, if you’d like to read Entrusted: Surrendering the Present first, click here: http://www.amazon.com/Entrusted-Surrendering-Present-Time/dp/0692709177?ie=UTF8&qid=&ref_=tmm_pap_swatch_0&sr=

Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of the  re-release, ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, as well as the sequel, ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past. She also shared her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites readers to subscribe to her monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway opportunities at JULIE ARDUINI: SURRENDER ISSUES AND CHOCOLATE and the weekly e mail. SUNDAY’S SURRENDER AND CHOCOLATE.

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Snapchat: @juliearduini

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/JulieArduini

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Arduini/e/B00PBKDRSQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427852247&sr=8-1

Monthly Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dCFG

Weekly Sunday’s Surrender and Chocolate: http://eepurl.com/bJ5yHP

Surrendered Scribe Media Promotions: (Book release info sent as needed) http://eepurl.com/bXAW0L