Yesterday we were joined by author Julie Coulter Bellon who talked with us about her new novel, “All’s Fair.” If you missed that portion of the interview, you can click here to get caught up-to-date.
Julie, thanks for being here again today. Let’s shift the focus a little bit to the overall process of writing. You have quite a large family, and you’re a devoted mother. How do you balance all the aspects of your life?
Balance is always a fine line, but my children always come first. Interestingly enough, however, I find that I am a more calm and centered mother if I’ve had time to write on a given day. I don’t have a set time that I write and usually I have to write in snatches. By that I mean I can think about plot lines and characters while I’m doing things like laundry or vacuuming, and when I do get some time at the computer I quickly type out everything I’d been imagining. Of course when I’m up against a deadline my husband is incredibly supportive and makes sure I have all the computer time I need. Thankfully, my older children are a big help as well and very patient. It’s not a perfect system, but it works for me and my family. I did think that I would have more writing time since my youngest is going into kindergarten this year, but we’re expecting another baby, so I’ll just have to keep plugging away as best I can.
Where do you do your writing?
My desk is between my family room and my kitchen so I’m always right in the thick of things and I like it that way. I can get some writing done and still keep an eye on what’s going on around me. I do keep a notebook so that if I have ideas or scenes come to me and I’m not near my computer I can jot it down. It’s the old journalism instinct in me, I guess.
What do your kids think about you being an author?
My children are really proud of me and my books. It’s been fun for them to see Mom writing on the computer and then how it all eventually turns into a book that they can see in a store. They read my books and like to see all the “inside” jokes and “inside” people there are in them. But I think it’s important for my children to see that even moms and dads have dreams that they want to pursue and that if you put your mind to it, you can do it. Cliche, but true. It’s just fun to cheer each other on as family members and see us all finding and using our talents.
What are your plans for future projects?
I’ve already submitted my next manuscript to my publisher and I’m working on another one. The one I’m working on now is very exciting and just seems to really be flowing out of me. I love it when that happens!
When we last spoke, we talked about your nonfiction book for Scouting. Do you have any other nonfiction books in the hopper, or are you primarily focusing on fiction for now?
I am primarily focusing on fiction right now. I have so many stories that I want to tell. But I won’t ever close the door completely on writing nonfiction again. Who knows what’s around the corner?
We never can tell, can we? Thanks for sharing your valuable time with us today, Julie. I know you’re busy!
If you would like to learn more about Julie Coulter Bellon and her books, visit her website by clicking here.
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