Ask the Author: Julia Day
Answered Questions (4)
Julia Day
I’m an autism mom; my younger daughter has Asperger’s. I’ve always wanted to write a book with an autistic main character—a story whose heroine is, like my daughter, interesting, complex, amazing, articulate, yet still struggles with the challenges of being on the spectrum. But I couldn’t come up with the right story, so I set the idea aside.
Then my editor and I started to brainstorm my next book. Since we wanted to set it in the summer, we chose a teen musical theater camp. I had built-in research through my daughter, who loves the theater and drama camps. It didn’t take long to discover the character of Natalie, a heroine in FADE TO US.
The rest of the story just flowed from there. My two daughters have such a wonderful relationship that I wanted to celebrate how great sisterhood can be. The heroine/narrator came next, and Brooke was definitely the harder character to create. Since Natalie is a good actor and singer, has an adoring relationship with her dad, but struggles with social skills—I wanted Brooke to be the opposite. Their weaknesses and strengths had to complement each other. So Brooke is good at computers, earning income, and making friends. But she knows nothing about the theater and has always longed to have a father and siblings. Once I understood these two new stepsisters, I gave them a summer to live together—and FADE TO US was born.
Then my editor and I started to brainstorm my next book. Since we wanted to set it in the summer, we chose a teen musical theater camp. I had built-in research through my daughter, who loves the theater and drama camps. It didn’t take long to discover the character of Natalie, a heroine in FADE TO US.
The rest of the story just flowed from there. My two daughters have such a wonderful relationship that I wanted to celebrate how great sisterhood can be. The heroine/narrator came next, and Brooke was definitely the harder character to create. Since Natalie is a good actor and singer, has an adoring relationship with her dad, but struggles with social skills—I wanted Brooke to be the opposite. Their weaknesses and strengths had to complement each other. So Brooke is good at computers, earning income, and making friends. But she knows nothing about the theater and has always longed to have a father and siblings. Once I understood these two new stepsisters, I gave them a summer to live together—and FADE TO US was born.
Julia Day
The characters. I love creating characters, throwing problems at them, and watching them react. They don't always respond the way I want. They say unexpected things. They've become a real part of my life.
If you asked my family members about Ash and Eden, they could discuss them like they're members of our family--and tell you things that aren't in the book--because we talk about Ash and Eden, their decisions and their personalities. Recently, my daughter asked "what happens next" --and of course I have an answer, because I want to know where they go after the book ends too.
If you asked my family members about Ash and Eden, they could discuss them like they're members of our family--and tell you things that aren't in the book--because we talk about Ash and Eden, their decisions and their personalities. Recently, my daughter asked "what happens next" --and of course I have an answer, because I want to know where they go after the book ends too.
Julia Day
I solve writer's block by reading--usually in a genre different from what I write. I get blocked when I've done something massively wrong in a draft, like I've forced a character into an action that isn't right for their personality--or I'm using the wrong word or phrase to say something and it's bugging me. Staring at a screen for hours isn't going to help me fix it. So I just stop writing, for as long as it takes. Sometimes that's a day. Sometimes it's a week. And I read other books until I relax. Then I go back to writing.
Julia Day
I'm writing the first draft of a book (untitled for now) that is scheduled to release in Summer 2017. The book will be set during a summer youth musical program, and the H/h are on the backstage crew. I'm having a lot of fun doing the research; a local high school has invited me to observe two of their productions (Little Women and Bye Bye Birdie).
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