Welcome Back, Julie Arduini

Welcome Back, Julie Arduini!

Linda: Welcome back! It’s great to chat with you again, and I look forward to hearing about your latest book, Anchored Hearts. What was your inspiration for the story? 

Julie: I’m a fan of the TV show, This is Us. I was so impressed by the magnitude it took to create a series involving multiples and how an event from the past affected everyone for decades. I thought it was a good challenge to explore a unique birth story. My sister pitched to me donor families, but I’m not ready for that yet. I decided on a family of sextuplets with the challenge---what would happen if a family with a unique birth story stayed in the national spotlight because of tragedy? 

LM: What sort of research did you have to do for this book? 

Julie: I read a lot on the McCaughey septuplets for starters. I researched morning shows and various aspects of a news station. The series is set in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate NY, specifically, the Elmira-Corning area. That’s my hometown, so I didn’t need too much research there. I did change some things for fiction, though. 

LM: How do you choose character names and places for your stories? 

Photo: Pixabay/
Oliver Cardall

Julie: I remember Jerry Jenkins talking about the name process, and I tend to follow it. I try not to get too complicated, and will use common names or objects. In future books it will be revealed that sextuplets #4 and #5 were names patriarch Paul Hart chose, and they were named James and Kelly in honor of his favorite Buffalo Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly. As for places, I use Upstate NY settings for my romances. I spent 34 years in Upstate NY and there are so many small towns and areas that few know about. When I wrote the YA/Women’s series with my daughter, Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’, I used Ohio as a setting since we have lived in NE Ohio for 18 years. 

LM: As a female, what is the most difficult thing about writing male characters? 

Julie: I have wonderful critique partners who catch a mannerism I use or phrasing, and they know it’s a feminine trait. I’m thankful for them. 

LM: What books are on your TBR pile? 

Julie:. So many. I tend to read by author. I find one I enjoy and I’ll go through everything they have. Late last year I discovered Jess Mastorakos. She writes sweet and inspirational military romances, and I love that. 

LM: What would you tell your younger writing self? 

Photo: Pixabay/Stock Snaps

Julie: Stop overthinking it and just do it. My weakness is grammar and I let that hold me back for decades. Now I have a solid team of critique partners, editors, proofreaders, and Beta readers to help me. 

LM: What’s next for you? 

Julie: Surrendering Hearts is a six-book series featuring each Hart sextuplet. Ryan is the second-born, so he’s next with Repairing Hearts. I am SO excited. 

Linda: Where can folks connect with you? 

Julie: The easiest way is to find me on Link Tree at http://linktr.ee/JulieArduini. All my links are included there. I love to connect, so please reach out! 

About Anchored Hearts: 

Can two go-getters surrender their need to control and find a happily-ever-after? 

Jordyn Bell Hart succeeds in everything she does. Her promotion to morning show co-anchor blossoms her career in the same way her mother’s work had. Jordyn keeps tabs on her family and enjoys helping them grow. When life around her starts to change, can she surrender her desire to control? 

Spencer Collins knows how to balance a busy life. He has his work as a reporter, his time caregiving for his grieving father, and looking out for his little brother. When he learns he’s the new co-anchor of a morning show with Jordyn Hart, can he handle working with a celebrity who brings a lot of challenges to life on and off the set?

Pre-order Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XH1KVXD