Sometimes you come across someone for whom you have great admiration. In my case it is writer, Julie Day, this week's guest in the spotlight. The reason for my admiration is Julie's fabulous motivation and work ethic. When she's not writing a children's book, she's trying her hand at womag stories or pocket novels. And when she's not doing any of these she's helping other people with their writing or helping them publish their books. She puts me to shame!
This is not all though. Julie is a writer with Asperger Syndrome and I invited her onto my blog to answer some questions about how this has affected her writing career.
First of all, a very big welcome to my blog, Julie. My first question is what made you decide to start writing?
A recurring dream. I had a dream two
nights in a row which stuck in my mind. The only way to get it out was to write
it down. Once I started writing, the ideas came to me. I've been writing on and
off since.
I know you enjoy writing in a variety of genres.
Do you have a favourite?
Writing for children. I can have fun, let
my imagination go and not be too serious about what I write.
As a writer with Asperger’s, what has been
your biggest challenge when writing fiction?
Going to talks and meeting new people. I
get anxious when I meet new people and have to introduce myself to a group.
Going to literary events can be quite
daunting at the best of times. I met you at the RNA conference in 2015. How did
you find the experience?
Interesting, but full-on and tiring. I now
find that I can't do weekend conferences where I am going from one talk to
another and meeting people. Also, I've never been able to sleep in a strange
bed properly, so am tired throughout the whole time.
Can you tell me a little more about the series of books you’re writing?
This series is not
just for children with Asperger’s Syndrome, it is also for their friends and
family. The series covers friendship, school and the difficulties a child with
Asperger’s faces, with a positive approach which helps readers to understand
the disorder. It will also cover how
going out into the world and facing those challenges affects children with
Asperger's.
You are very active on social media. How
beneficial has this been to you and your writing?
Very beneficial. I have made connections
with other women who have Asperger's, as well as connecting with other indie
authors. I have joined author groups on Facebook who have helped me promote my
books.
You also help new authors to publish their
work as e-books. Can you tell us a little about it?
It started with doing talks at a library
about being an indie author. One man joined the attendees and later asked me to
help him with his fiction. I found I enjoyed helping him, that when someone
else at the library said they wanted help, I said I would. I helped the man
publish his first children's book in July. I have also been in contact with a
couple of other children's authors, giving my opinion on their book ideas.
What has been your biggest writing
achievement?
Publishing my first children's ebook 'The
Railway Angel'. The sense of achievement when I managed to do the formatting
myself then publish it was great. I enjoyed having control over the whole
publishing process that I decided I wanted to stay being an indie author.
How important is it to raise awareness of
Asperger’s?
Very important. I know there are lots of
other disabilities, but Asperger's is considered a hidden/invisible disability
where the person might look normal on the outside but not so inside. So, you
might come across a child or adult with Asperger's and not know it. Aspies have
lots of challenges with communication, and understanding how they can cope with
them will help us not feel so anxious.
Do you have any advice for other writers
with Asperger’s?
Blog about Asperger's. Enjoy what you
write. Don't be afraid to join groups on-line and off-line. Don't be afraid to
meet other writers. Don't be afraid to tell them you have Asperger's. I did,
and people were understanding.
Thank you, Julie, and good luck with your writing.
Julie's website: www.julieaday.co.uk
Julie's blog: www.julieaday.blogspot.co.uk
You can find Julie's books on Amazon.
Lovely interview. Thanks, Julie, for providing this insight. Congratulations on your achievements. With writing for children, writing pocket novels and helping other writers, do you feel torn between them or are you able to allocate sufficient time to each?
ReplyDeleteInteresting questions, Susana - thank you.
DeleteSorry, I meant Susanna!
DeleteHi, Susanna. I have given up trying to write pocket novels. I have a sort of routine where I will write one thing in the morning and the other in the afternoon. I usually allocate half an hour (that's all my hand can take) writing each wip. As for clients, I have allocated Weds and Sats for those so I know what I am doing when.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're super-organised, Julie :)
DeleteI try to be, Wendy. lol
DeleteWow what an inspiring interview Julie. Thank you so much :-) x
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping over, Sue x
DeleteA very interesting interview, Julie and Wendy. Thank you both. I'm in awe of all the writing you do, Julie. 🙂
ReplyDeleteMe too, Jan!
DeleteGreat interview Julie and Wendy, gives a really good insight into your world, Julie - and kudos to you for being so organised with your time - that's brilliant! Julie V. xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to leave a comment, Julie.
DeleteThis is a wonderful interview. Thank you so much, Julie and Wendy. Congratulations, Julie, on all your writing achievements. You sound so well organised and also very supportive of other authors. Wishing you lots more success and continued happiness from your writing. xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanna. I do try to be organised, but don't know about super-organised. I try to be supportive to other authors because I have had support from others myself over the years so want to give something back esp what I have learnt.
DeleteThank you for your comment, Joanna. It's lovely for writers to support each other.
DeleteThank you all for what you have said about me, esp being organised. Thank you, Wendy, for having me. Will be back later to check for any more comments.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Julie.
DeleteSo inspiring, Julie. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLeonora
Thanks, Leonora :)
DeletePleasure, Leonora.
DeleteGreat interview and I can understand what you mean about a hidden disability - my late father was almost completely deaf and often thought to be rude and ignoring people!
ReplyDeleteThat must have been terrible for him, Angela.
DeleteI sort of know where he was as I am partially deaf too, from another syndrome I have.
DeleteLovely interview Julie and Wendy. I know from 'meeting' you Julie in different Facebook groups how hard you work, and how determined you are. It's interesting to read how you break down the different aspects of your writing into different parts of the day - and lovely to hear how you help other writers too. I know where you are coming from with the feeling of achievement when you successfully self publish - it's great, and well done! It's also interesting to hear about Asperger's being a 'hidden disability' and thought it good advice to tell people when you encounter them. I wish you every success with your writing - I'll see you around ;-)
ReplyDeleteFranx
thank you for your lovely long comment, Fran! Julie's certainly an inspiration when it comes to motivation.
DeleteYes, she is. Being organised is only a part of it, albeit an important part - being motivated and having ideas - very important too!
DeleteI can relate to having to write stories down just to get them out of my head!
ReplyDeleteCan't relate to the industry and work rate though. You make me feel like a slacker, Julie. I must try harder ...
You do work hard, Patsy. I am often seeing your stories in womags these days.
DeleteThanks, Julie. I don't do nothing, but I could work a lot harder and push myself to do some of the things I find more challenging.
DeleteThank you, Fran. I have to say you are v supportive too, esp when it comes to writing womag stories, and knowing you are a busy mum.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry, something went wrong with that message, just wanted to thank Julie and Wendy for a really interesting interview :o)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Karen.
DeleteThank you, Julie and Wendy, for a really interesting & motivating interview. Congratulations, Julie on your success and good luck for all of your future projects.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracy. I agree, it was a really interesting interview.
DeleteThank you, Tracy. Pleased to know I can be motivating.
DeleteJulie, Congratulations on all your achievements and for doing your best to cope with Aspergers. Thank you for sharing your experiences and explaining how Asbergers affects you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping over, Rosemary.
DeleteThank you, Rosemary. That is all part of raising awareness of Asperger's.
DeleteWhat a remarkable woman.
ReplyDeleteShe is indeed!
DeleteVery interesting to read about Julie's work! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Penny. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteCongratulations on all your writing, Julie but especially on your AsperKids series - such important work. Thanks for sharing, Wendy. Terrific interview.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Rae - the AsperKids series sounds inspired!
DeleteThank you all for saying how inspiring I am. Like to know I can inspire other writers. That is why I started writing my Asperkids series because it is important that people who don't know about it become aware through it.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, Julie. We've met at a couple of RNA parties and I follow you on FB. My nephew has Aspergers and I think you give such a great insight to how it feels and what it means to have Aspergers. Although he's too old for your Asperkids books I think they're a great idea. Congratulations on all your success, you truly are inspirational.
ReplyDeleteHi, Deborah. How old is your nephew? I plan to write books for all ages in the Asperkids series, up to YA.
DeleteI know an author with Aspergers - it can be a genuine advantage as those on the spectrum are often incredibly observant, possess fantastic visual memory, and see and experience the world without filters which often makes their life difficult but also gives a view on the world which deserves to be shared with those of us who drift through life missing half of it! Well done for writing the books, Julie - also nice to hear from a woman with ASD and a writer - too many people think Aspergers means a boy who only likes computers and can't write, and the spectrum is so much wider than that, as you will know!
ReplyDeleteGreat guest post, Wendy.
Kate Hardstaff
Thank you. I know of other women with Asperger's who aren't computer geeks. My Asperkifds all have different talents.
DeleteThanks for sharing this, Julie. I'm full of admiration for what you're achieving and for helping others to understand through your writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosemary.
ReplyDelete