Best Known Works: The Antique Magic series
Top Writing Tip:
My top tip for new writers? Write. Every day - as much as you can. Write down whatever fragment of stories your mind suggests. You never know what may turn into a full-blown novel one day. Also realize that your first finished draft probably isn’t as good as you think it is. You might want to set it aside and start something fresh before you try to find a publisher.
Thank you, Juli, for sharing a little bit about yourself. We always love to hear from writers!
Tell us a little about yourself, what are the main life experiences that have led to this book?
I live in Florida so have a tendency to set my stories there and around the southeast. My Paranormal Romance novel Passion’s Sacred Dance takes place, for instance, in a fictional town on the west coast of Florida, while Drawing Down the Shades takes place in Gulf Breeze Florida. People tend to think of Florida as some sort of cliché: a retirement and/or vacation spot, but since I was born and grew up here, I like to show what it’s actually like to live here (no, no one I know makes sand snowmen at Christmas). I’ve also always been a solitary practitioner and a seeker so it was easy for me to lead Caitlin, the heroine of Drawing Down the Shades, down the solitary path she sometimes (despite being part of a coven) must take from time to time in her stories.
When did you realise that you were Pagan?
I’d always had a love of Fantasy tales and Arthurian Legends, especially of Merlin and the various magical versions of the Arthurian Legends. When I was in college, I got the inkling to try writing a novel based on those Legends. I’d discovered Joseph Campbell, about the same time, and delved into the Marion Zimmer Bradley classic, The Mists of Avalon. Something sparked between them, I suppose, because I went to a friend of mine and started asking questions—purely for story research. The more I listened to her, and the more I read some of the books she loaned me, the more it clicked. Then I read the controversial book the White Goddess and delved into the Mabinogion and the Irish myths, The Tuatha dé Danann battles, the shapeshifting gods, The Land of Youth, and the story of the Voyage of Bran. I fell in love with the stories, particularly that of Bran. Here was a “mythos” and way of life, especially the Celtic realm, that spoke to me. It really seemed to explain not only why but that I’d always been in love with stories and storytelling for a reason.
When and why did you begin writing?
In some ways, I’ve always been telling stories. In junior high and high school, I started writing songs that told stories of ancient, mystical kingdoms, of knights and honor. J Under the influence of Isaac Asimov and Marion Zimmer Bradley, I turned to prose.
Are you published or self published, and what has been your experience of this process?
Both. My experience has taught me that…it’s not easy to become that overnight success that we all want to be! Far from it. It’s also taught me to grow a thicker skin, when to learn to stick up for myself, and when to shut up.
Is this your first published piece or have you had work published before?
Drawing Down the Shades is the third instalment in my Antique Magic series, but I also have a paranormal romance novel out, (Passion’s Sacred Dance) with small romance publisher The Wild Rose Press. I’ve also had several short stories published by a fine pagan-oriented zine, Eternal Haunted Summer, and by pagan publisher Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
How did the topic of your book come to you?
It stemmed from the series. In the last two instalments, my heroine, Caitlin Fulmer has opened an antique shop. She’s also been charged by the goddess Arianrhod to help her corral the “imps” plaguing Florida. That branched out and suddenly ghosts started popping out at Caitlin with their stories of supernatural woe and begging for her help. ;) The idea that these ghosts transcend time and the nature of an antique shop, gave rise to all sorts of possibilities to play around in various eras.
Who encourages you?
My path encourages me of course and my family. Even from (and this might sound weird) but beyond the grave. The whole fact that Caitlin deals with ghosts came from my little brother who was really into the paranormal. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago. When I started working on Caitlin’s story this ghostly Civil War soldier popped into it, insuring her involvement with the Otherworld. I’m also encouraged and inspired by my friend, author Jolene Dawe. She was integral in setting the spark for what became the first novel in the Antique Magic series, The Artist’s Inheritance.
Tell us a bit about your story, key characters and plot.
In Drawing Down the Shades, Caitlin is helping her husband Trevor with his new antique shop when this old man walks in and presents them with a statuette. He claims it’s a lost piece by famed sculptress Margarete Volere. Margarete went missing in the 1960s. But rather than take the piece to Sotheby’s or Christie’s, no. The owner wants Caitlin and Trevor to have it. Then bizarre things start happening in their antique shop and a woman’s ghost appears to Caitlin, crying and begging to be set free. With the help of her coven, Caitlin sets out to discover who this woman is, why she’s begging her help, why she’s even here, and how she can set her on the right path to the Otherworld where she obviously belongs. But a pesky trickster gets in her way….
Here’s the official blurb:
What are your future plans for writing?
Right now, I am writing the next instalment in the Antique Magic series and hope to have it out by next Christmas. *knock on wood* Meanwhile, I’m also revising the next title in my Celtic-inspired paranormal romance series, The Harshad Wars. Should your readers be curious about forthcoming novels and short stories, they can always find my books on Amazon and more information about them on my website.
Do you ever dream about writing?
Yes, frequently, actually. If I don’t have a dream about a book I’m working on, I know I’ll never finish it. Nine times out of ten, that intuition’s always been right.
What do you enjoy reading?
I’ll read just about anything, but my first love is fantasy.
How long does it take you to write a book, are you a fast writer or a slow writer?
Generally, I am a fairly fast writer. Once the idea really takes hold, I can get it down in 6-9 months. If the story requires some research, it could take longer.
Do you socialise with other writers or are you a solitary author?
I do. I have several author friends I have lunch with once a month, and many more I speak to all the time via email.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you most like a writing retreat?
I would love to visit Ireland.
Has your style changed over the past five years?
I think it has. With the death of my brother it’s definitely gotten a little darker. Sometimes it’s a struggle to find that happy ending! But on the other hand, sometimes writing darker is, darn it, just fun.
Thank you, Juli, for sharing a little bit about yourself. We always love to hear from writers!
Tell us a little about yourself, what are the main life experiences that have led to this book?
I live in Florida so have a tendency to set my stories there and around the southeast. My Paranormal Romance novel Passion’s Sacred Dance takes place, for instance, in a fictional town on the west coast of Florida, while Drawing Down the Shades takes place in Gulf Breeze Florida. People tend to think of Florida as some sort of cliché: a retirement and/or vacation spot, but since I was born and grew up here, I like to show what it’s actually like to live here (no, no one I know makes sand snowmen at Christmas). I’ve also always been a solitary practitioner and a seeker so it was easy for me to lead Caitlin, the heroine of Drawing Down the Shades, down the solitary path she sometimes (despite being part of a coven) must take from time to time in her stories.
When did you realise that you were Pagan?
I’d always had a love of Fantasy tales and Arthurian Legends, especially of Merlin and the various magical versions of the Arthurian Legends. When I was in college, I got the inkling to try writing a novel based on those Legends. I’d discovered Joseph Campbell, about the same time, and delved into the Marion Zimmer Bradley classic, The Mists of Avalon. Something sparked between them, I suppose, because I went to a friend of mine and started asking questions—purely for story research. The more I listened to her, and the more I read some of the books she loaned me, the more it clicked. Then I read the controversial book the White Goddess and delved into the Mabinogion and the Irish myths, The Tuatha dé Danann battles, the shapeshifting gods, The Land of Youth, and the story of the Voyage of Bran. I fell in love with the stories, particularly that of Bran. Here was a “mythos” and way of life, especially the Celtic realm, that spoke to me. It really seemed to explain not only why but that I’d always been in love with stories and storytelling for a reason.
When and why did you begin writing?
In some ways, I’ve always been telling stories. In junior high and high school, I started writing songs that told stories of ancient, mystical kingdoms, of knights and honor. J Under the influence of Isaac Asimov and Marion Zimmer Bradley, I turned to prose.
Are you published or self published, and what has been your experience of this process?
Both. My experience has taught me that…it’s not easy to become that overnight success that we all want to be! Far from it. It’s also taught me to grow a thicker skin, when to learn to stick up for myself, and when to shut up.
Is this your first published piece or have you had work published before?
Drawing Down the Shades is the third instalment in my Antique Magic series, but I also have a paranormal romance novel out, (Passion’s Sacred Dance) with small romance publisher The Wild Rose Press. I’ve also had several short stories published by a fine pagan-oriented zine, Eternal Haunted Summer, and by pagan publisher Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
How did the topic of your book come to you?
It stemmed from the series. In the last two instalments, my heroine, Caitlin Fulmer has opened an antique shop. She’s also been charged by the goddess Arianrhod to help her corral the “imps” plaguing Florida. That branched out and suddenly ghosts started popping out at Caitlin with their stories of supernatural woe and begging for her help. ;) The idea that these ghosts transcend time and the nature of an antique shop, gave rise to all sorts of possibilities to play around in various eras.
Who encourages you?
My path encourages me of course and my family. Even from (and this might sound weird) but beyond the grave. The whole fact that Caitlin deals with ghosts came from my little brother who was really into the paranormal. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago. When I started working on Caitlin’s story this ghostly Civil War soldier popped into it, insuring her involvement with the Otherworld. I’m also encouraged and inspired by my friend, author Jolene Dawe. She was integral in setting the spark for what became the first novel in the Antique Magic series, The Artist’s Inheritance.
Tell us a bit about your story, key characters and plot.
In Drawing Down the Shades, Caitlin is helping her husband Trevor with his new antique shop when this old man walks in and presents them with a statuette. He claims it’s a lost piece by famed sculptress Margarete Volere. Margarete went missing in the 1960s. But rather than take the piece to Sotheby’s or Christie’s, no. The owner wants Caitlin and Trevor to have it. Then bizarre things start happening in their antique shop and a woman’s ghost appears to Caitlin, crying and begging to be set free. With the help of her coven, Caitlin sets out to discover who this woman is, why she’s begging her help, why she’s even here, and how she can set her on the right path to the Otherworld where she obviously belongs. But a pesky trickster gets in her way….
Here’s the official blurb:
Business can be hell...
Life is good at Starfort Collectibles until the owners, Caitlin and Trevor Fulmer, acquire a beautiful statuette with a murky past. Shortly thereafter, mysterious hauntings wreak havoc on the couple when a ghost in the attic threatens retribution. Caitlin presses her coven for help before the ghost succeeds in meting out deadly punishment—on Trevor.
What are your future plans for writing?
Right now, I am writing the next instalment in the Antique Magic series and hope to have it out by next Christmas. *knock on wood* Meanwhile, I’m also revising the next title in my Celtic-inspired paranormal romance series, The Harshad Wars. Should your readers be curious about forthcoming novels and short stories, they can always find my books on Amazon and more information about them on my website.
Do you ever dream about writing?
Yes, frequently, actually. If I don’t have a dream about a book I’m working on, I know I’ll never finish it. Nine times out of ten, that intuition’s always been right.
What do you enjoy reading?
I’ll read just about anything, but my first love is fantasy.
How long does it take you to write a book, are you a fast writer or a slow writer?
Generally, I am a fairly fast writer. Once the idea really takes hold, I can get it down in 6-9 months. If the story requires some research, it could take longer.
Do you socialise with other writers or are you a solitary author?
I do. I have several author friends I have lunch with once a month, and many more I speak to all the time via email.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you most like a writing retreat?
I would love to visit Ireland.
Has your style changed over the past five years?
I think it has. With the death of my brother it’s definitely gotten a little darker. Sometimes it’s a struggle to find that happy ending! But on the other hand, sometimes writing darker is, darn it, just fun.
*
Thank you for taking the time to share yourself and your book with us. We hope you have every success with your series and future projects.
