Quick Qs and As with Julie Ann Peters

Julie Ann Peters is the author of several books for YA with her newest being By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead, a book that I'm dying to read.

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Describe your main character Daelyn in one sentence. Are you similar to her in any ways? Different?

Daelyn is a hypersensitive person who’s been bullied all her life to the point of feeling that her only hopeful ending is death. I feel a strong connection to Daelyn because she doesn’t share her pain willingly, and lives so much of her life inside her head. But I’m a more content and joyful person than she is. I’ve found my purpose in life as a writer, and I think that makes all the difference.

What was your favorite aspect of writing By The Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead?

Knowing from the beginning it was an important work. And feeling that it was one of the best books I’ve ever done.

How did the title By The Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead come to be?

I’m not sure exactly, but it seemed an obvious choice. Isn’t that how most suicide notes begin?

What’s your typical day like?

No day is typical, which is one reason I love my job so much. I can pick and choose what I want to do. If I’m working on a rough draft of a new book, I’ll usually get up early and dive right in. My brain is at its best in the morning, so I’ll write and write and write until my brain has melted and is oozing out my ears. I can only project myself into a book for about three hours before I’m physically and emotionally exhausted.

The rest of the day is spent on revisions for other books I’m working on – revisions from my critique group or editor (although if I have revision requests from my editor, those take priority). After that I’ll go out and take a long walk to clear my mind or think through plot clots. (I also exercise in the morning. Sitting for so long causes both major butt burn and ass spread :).)

In the afternoon, I do all my social networking, book promoting and email correspondence. This could take anywhere from two to four hours. Finally, I’ll read. Read, read, read. I read in my genre, but also outside to see what’s engaging readers’ imaginations these days. Keeping up with the competition, the business of publishing, the craft of writing – all of this is part of a writer’s job.

Finally, what’s up next for you book-wise?

I always have at least three books in the works. My next book, to be published in 2011, is titled, She Loves You, She Loves You Not…? I just finished a new young adult manuscript, which I’ve sent to my agent, and I have a middle-grade novel sort of, kind of halfway there. Work, work, work. A writer’s job is never done. Thankfully, it’s a labor of love.

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Thanks so much, Julie! :)

Other Links:

Julie's Website
Julie's books on Amazon/Indie Bound/Barnes and Noble