Surrendering The Good, The Bad, and Maybe One Day, The Chocolate with Julie Arduini

Today, I want to welcome Julie Arduini, an amazing author. I met Julie through ACFW, and she is an amazing author, woman of God, and a dear friend. So, let's get to know her a little bit, shall we?

Joi: How about a small bio?

Julie: I love to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. I’m the author of the Amazon bestseller, ENTRUSTED, and upcoming ENTRUSTED and ENGAGED. I also shared my story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. I blog every other Wednesday for Christians Read. I reside in Ohio with my husband and two children.
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Joi: Why did you start writing? How did you start writing?
Julie: I was always writing, even before I knew how to write I was scribbling on pieces of paper. I believe God created me to write. When I finally got serious about it years later, graduated from the Christian Writer’s Guild and started submitting to FaithWriters.

Joi: How did you select your genre?
Julie: I think it selected me. I always read contemporary romances and as young as middle school I was the girl on the bus passing out daily papers updating friends on the latest perils in what today would be a sad middle school soap opera. I don’t consider the genre superficial as it’s faced that criticism. Instead, I feel it’s an open door for me to share Surrender Issues and of course, chocolate!

Joi: What is your writing day like?
Julie: Things are different this year as I my husband has a new position that allows him to work from home, and I am branching out in what I do and how I do it. This year I bought the iBloom planner and that really helps me stay on track. I start with devotional time and prayer, move into reading emails, updating a couple social media sites, and then I have a specific task. I’m either in research, writing, revising, critiquing other works, or marketing. I try to get as much as I can done before school gets out. If I’ve been interrupted a lot, I’ll probably get back at it once everyone goes to bed.

Joi:   How do you organize your writing? (outlines/note cards/post-its)
Julie: I use yWriter software to plot, organize research, character notes, etc…

Joi:  What's the most surprising thing a character has “told you”?

Julie: That through his death, he was going to make a way for others to pursue their dreams.
Joi: That sounds pretty deep. I look forward to reading more about that in your book!

Joi:  Do you have a list of characters that you're saving for future use? What kind of information do you keep on these characters.
Julie: Yes. Through yWriter I have a character database of past, present and future characters. I use names, setting, what book, their choices, if they are minor or major characters, their surrender issue, chocolate preference, what they look like.

Joi: What does your work space/office look like?

Julie: It changed this year. My husband now has the office so I work out of our dining room. I’ve made my things portable so I can set it aside and things can look neat again. I have a great view of the woods and enjoy watching birds as I think.

Joi: What is your go-to snack when writing?
Julie: I do enjoy a Dove bar or some Hershey kisses. However, I try to steam carrots or eat a salad.

Joi:  If you could only recommend one NOVEL, what would it be? Why?
Julie: That’s so hard because I’d love to show you my Goodreads page and tell you to read them all. However, since you said one, I’ll go with WHAT A GIRL WANTS by Kristin Billerbeck. I felt like Ashley Stockingdale gave me permission to write a sassy heroine who could be beloved. Jenna Anderson in ENTRUSTED was created after realizing it was okay to be funny, bold and strong even if everyone in the world was telling me chick lit was dead.

 Joi: If you could only recommend one CRAFT book (writing, no crocheting), what would it be? Why?

Julie: Thank goodness you don’t mean crochet! Easy. FROM THE INSIDE OUT: Discover, Create and Publish the Novel in You! By Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck. They were so generous with what they have learned and shared all of it. My copy is a mess. I go back to it time and time again.

Joi:  What else would you like to share with the readers?

Julie: I’m committed this year and beyond to have consistent resources available to help audiences find freedom through surrender. Whether it’s my Adirondack series, new books coming, or speaking, learn more by visiting http://juliearduini.com. I invite readers to subscribe to my monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway opportunities at JULIE ARDUINI: SURRENDER ISSUES AND CHOCOLATE as well as my weekly encouragement email, SUNDAY’S SURRENDER AND CHOCOLATE. I appreciate you thinking of me for this interview. Thank you, this was fun!

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Jenna Anderson, sassy city-girl, plows—literally—into Speculator Falls with a busted GPS, arriving in town as the new senior center director. She has only one goal—that of belonging no matter how out of place she appears and how angry she makes town councilman and grocer Ben Regan. Her new life is so rural there are no traffic lights, and when she learns her car isn’t equipped to handle the mountain terrain, Ben’s grandmother offers her late husband’s vehicle, further alienating the local businessman. As she endears herself to the seniors at the center and creates a vision full of ideas, programs, and equipment, she ruffles Ben’s plans to keep Speculator Falls void of change, including the store his grandfather built. The two work through community events and shared heartbreak only to face off in a town council meeting where Ben publically rejects her proposal for the senior center, causing Jenna to react out of her fears about belonging. She returns to Ohio where she realizes she needs to surrender her plans for the center and fears about belonging and trust her Heavenly Father when facing fear, change, loss, and love.

Julie Arduini is a wife, mom, author, reader, blogger,and amateur nature photographer. And of course, chocolate eater.  She encourages you to surrender the good, the bad, and maybe one day, the chocolate. Find out more about Julie at http://juliearduini.com/, her Amazon Author Page, and across social media (links on her website.)

Interview and Giveaway with Author Anita Klumpers!!

Being a beautiful, rich young widow has its drawbacks. Avoiding a murderer shouldn’t be one of them.

Elise Amberson’s husbands always die before she can get the marriage momentum going. At least this last one left her with lots of money. Now she can hang out with her dogs, avoid men, and try to keep off God’s radar.

But her dogs are behaving oddly, a pesky pastor can’t keep his hands off her soul, and God is backing her into a corner. It’s all more than a rich, beautiful young woman should have to bear. But when someone begins targeting Elise, she’ll have to figure out why before she becomes the late Widow Amberson. 

Wow!! Welcome to the first book in the new series from Prism Book Group! It's "Hounded," by our guest author, Anita Klumpers! Be sure to leave a comment for Anita at the end of the interview for a chance to win a copy of this exciting story. Now let's get to know Anita a little better. Here we go!

Hi Anita! Welcome to The Diamond Mine!

When did you know you were going to be a writer?

I started creating stories when I was very young—always rambling plots that never had a conclusion. (I still have not mastered the art of the wrap-up. Or brevity.) In my wildest dreams, though, I never thought I would be published. But wait! I remember I won a contest in 5th grade for a fine arts festival, and the story was published in their mimeographed, stapled newsletter. I called the story ‘Mandy,’ which at the time I was convinced was the loveliest name in the world. And I had an essay published in 6th grade for a contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It was a patriotic essay which I no doubt sobbed over because I was quite emotional, and I won a 1924 silver dollar. Whad’ya know? I’ve been published more than I thought!

And you started pretty early, too! What’s the first story you remember writing?

An action-adventure story when I was about eight. I think the heroine was a girl who liked to climb trees and read and was bullied by a mean boy named Eli. I got about two pages written and asked my parents if I could read it to them. They got suspicious when the tale went on for a good twenty minutes. Yep. I was making it up as I went along. 

That's a cute memory! So, who are your writing influences?

Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters. Josephine Tey.

Interesting picks. I think I read all the Mary Stewart books in the local library and loved them! Do lots of people still go to the library? I hope so! One of my favorite places. (My Mom's a retired librarian.)

Anyway, how do you get your story ideas?

I’m supposed to have STORY ideas? Maybe that is my problem. I start with a first line—literally—and see where it takes me. I haven’t a clue as to what the story is about. But I sure have that first line clearly defined in my head!

That is so cool! Do you work from an outline, or craft the story as you go?

(Well this was typical. I answered the question before you even asked it.) If I had to outline a book I would never write, and take up something relaxing. Knitting custom-made sweaters for cobras, maybe. And ‘craft’ is too generous a word. The story line and I slap each other around and argue and backtrack and we both accuse each other of never looking at a map. My husband has come in on me shouting at the computer numerous times, something along the lines of “How on earth am I supposed to make THAT plot twist work out?”

You're cracking me up! I thought I was the only one who argued story lines with my computer. 

Now give us a few sentences about “Hounded.”

‘Hounded’ opens with the funeral of a wealthy, respected man, survived by his emotionally distant family and his very young second wife. Elise married him for his money—she’s pretty blunt about that—because after the death of her first husband she decided marrying for love was no longer an option. She inherits his two mixed-breed dogs, a lot of his money, his family’s mistrust, the suspicions of the police and the threat that she might be the next in line to die. Into her very messy life comes an old friend, now a pastor, who wants to help her, emotionally and physically and spiritually. Elise not only faces pressure from Russ, who has God on his side, but from an unknown someone who for an unknown reason is trying to get her out of the way.

It sounds so intriguing! 

Are the main characters anything like you or anyone you know?

No. Elise is feisty and speaks her mind, very unlike me. Not everyone who reads ‘Hounded’ warms to her right away. Russ, her pastor friend, is inspired in a small way by a co-worker from way back named Russ, a decent, honorable man with a sense of humor.

What do you like best about your main characters?

Oh, I like that Elise is a chatterbox. Silence drives her crazy. She is so human, and what others see as strength and sass is really a coping mechanism for a life spinning out of control. She loves her dogs. Always a good character trait.

And Russ is just a peach. His confidence comes from knowing he isn’t perfect, but the God he serves is. I like that he doesn’t take anything too seriously except what concerns his faith.

It will be fun to see them interact! 

Since this is a “Love Is…” novella, and your theme is Love is patient, how hard was it to create a story around that theme?

Pretty easy, actually. I wrote it in a month! So by expending great amounts of impatience with everything (and everyone) around me, driven by panic and realizing that without God’s patience we’d all be lost, I bulldozed my way through and my characters (probably watching me anxiously over their shoulders) cooperated.

Sounds like you were inspired! What are you working on now? 

My first book, ‘Winter Watch’ was set in a fictional town called Barley. I’m finishing up ‘A Barley Christmas’ with many of the same characters, and then will resume ‘A Late Winter Poison’ that picks up in Barley a week after ‘Winter Watch’ left off.

Well, this was a fun interview. Thanks, Anita!

 Thanks for having me! Great questions!

Okay readers, here's a short excerpt from "Hounded":

The remote was nowhere. Not by the television, in a nearby drawer or on top of the refrigerator. Seized by an almost febrile need for televised entertainment, Elise tore through every drawer and cupboard in search of the elusive remote, then tried to turn the TV on without it. She couldn’t find a power button, much less a knob to change channels. The glassy black screen reflected her own irritated image. And a face leering over her shoulder.

Ooh, I love this! Really grabbed my attention! Here's a short bio on Anita:

Anita Klumpers, wife, mom and grandma, homeschooled her three sons for seventeen years and emerged relatively unscathed. Her life then and now is remarkable by its very ordinariness. She’s been blessed with a husband who is good and hardworking, a church that is small but gospel-driven, children who for every step back took two forward. 

With her youngest son launched into college, she wondered what an unorganized procrastinator could do to make the world a better place. Convinced that a bit of humor and a dose of prudishness were a good place to begin she started to blog, first as ‘The Prude Disapproves’ (http://theprudedisapproves.blogspot.com) and now at ‘The Tuesday Prude.’ (http://thetuesdayprude.com) She goes for coffee with friends frequently, writes skits and teaches drama classes seasonally, cleans the top of her fridge occasionally and marvels at God’s grace daily.

Anita’s first book, a romantic suspense titled ‘Winter Watch’ was released in January 2014 and her second, (let’s call it a suspense-romance for the sake of variety) ‘Hounded’ was released in e-book on February 5, 2016. Both are published through Prism Book Group.

Currently at work on a third novel, this one a romantically-tinged novel of suspense, she would accomplish more if she spent less time admiring her small but oh-so-brilliant grandsons.

Here are some links for her books:

http://www.amazon.com/Hounded-Anita-Klumpers-ebook/dp/B01ACFCNFC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1455080613&sr=1-1&keywords=anita+klumpers

http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Watch-Anita-Klumpers-ebook/dp/B00HZ5R7WM/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1455080613&sr=1-3&keywords=anita+klumpers