Talkshow Thursday: Julie Arduini and Daughter Hannah

Talkshow Thursday: Julie Arduini and Daughter Hannah

Linda:  Welcome back and thanks for joining me today. You’ve got a new book out which is always exciting. The first in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series, it’s called You’re Beautiful. You co-authored the story with your daughter. How did this come about and what was it like to write with someone else?

Julie: This was a complete God idea. I was ready to start Book 1 in my new contemporary romance series, Surrendering Opinions. However, both our children were going through the worst adversity I’ve seen them experience. Circumstances beyond their control that I knew God was allowing for His greater purpose. It didn’t mean that we didn’t hurt, because their pain was heartbreaking. For Hannah, she was transitioning to junior high. There were bullying issues and instances where in her daily circle of influence, people were tearing down with words instead of building up. At the end of the year, we thought about what went well with our responses, and what we could have improved on. One thing she said was she wished she could do something to help encourage other girls so they would never feel like she did. She started sharing, and a story formed. I told her if she kept up, I’d write it. She plotted out a three book series!

LM: Research is an important part of writing any book. How do you go about doing research for

your stories?

Julie: My writing is character-driven, so I am an observer of people. That was a big part of You’re Beautiful, making sure I captured the heart of a tween girl and a young adult who served as a mentor in that story. In general, I try to use settings I am familiar with that I want to pay tribute to. I talk to people, and I go online. It is true what authors say that they hope “Big Brother” isn’t watching our Google Search. It would show interesting things that are for the sake of our story.

LM: How do you choose your character’s names?

Julie: That was all Hannah. She chose Hayley Atkinson because it was her own initials, and was a name she thought girls her age would like. She really thought about the names and personalities.

LM: What is your favorite childhood book?

Julie: Little House on the Prairie series.

LM: What is something you have always wanted to learn how to do?

Julie: Learn new languages. I’d love to speak Italian.

LM: Here are some quickies:

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Movie: Return to Me

Favorite place to visit: Speculator, NY, Adirondack Mountains. This is where Surrendering Time was set.

LM: What is your next project?

Julie: Anchored, Book 1 in Surrendering Opinions. I’m also working on a Christmas novella collection with nine other authors. This summer Hannah and I start Book 2 in Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ with You’re Amazing.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Julie: 

Website: http://juliearduini.com

As well as across social media @JulieArduini, including Snapchat, Amazon, and Goodreads. I love to connect, so please do! Thank you, Linda!

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B078VK3JJB