Ask the Author: Julie Bennett
Answered Questions (4)
Julie Bennett
The Understudy was inspired by my experience performing as a child extra in the Australian Opera Company’s 1973 production of War & Peace. It was such a magical time! War & Peace was first performed in the Sydney Opera House in September 1973, which was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II the following month.
In the past, whenever I recalled that first performance, I always thought that I had been pretty cool, calm and collected about being on stage. But I’ve watched myself in a video of that performance recently – and I’m gazing up overhead at the lights, and all around the set, goggle-eyed. It was an amazing experience!
In the past, whenever I recalled that first performance, I always thought that I had been pretty cool, calm and collected about being on stage. But I’ve watched myself in a video of that performance recently – and I’m gazing up overhead at the lights, and all around the set, goggle-eyed. It was an amazing experience!
Julie Bennett
Make sure you know how to write and then, write a lot. This sounds obvious but isn’t. If you are writing a novel, have a really compelling story – for me this is primarily about the characters and the settings. Interesting characters and gorgeous settings will make your novel easier to write. They will also help people fall in love with your story.
Put yourself in the way of people who can help you progress to publication – for example, become a member of The Australian Society of Authors,
Be sure that writing a book is what you really want. If it is, then be tenacious – really, really, really tenacious. No, I mean it. It’s hard work and you won’t succeed if you give up.
Put yourself in the way of people who can help you progress to publication – for example, become a member of The Australian Society of Authors,
Be sure that writing a book is what you really want. If it is, then be tenacious – really, really, really tenacious. No, I mean it. It’s hard work and you won’t succeed if you give up.
Julie Bennett
I love being able to create my own worlds, and people them with my own characters. I usually have a broad idea for what I think will happen and where a story will go... but my characters often have other ideas! I love it best when a character takes over and starts to tell the story. It's a special kind of magic.
Julie Bennett
When I'm writing (as opposed to researching, or editing), I make myself write at least a page a day. Once I start, I'm usually able to write a lot more than that, but some days every word is a struggle. However, I do think it's the discipline of writing every day that ultimately allows the work to progress.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more