When the most bookish, clumsy geek manages to bag the most handsome, beautiful man on campus – the man that all the other girls would happily have thrown their Kappa Kappa Delta sisters under the bus for – then it can’t end well. But Maggie has beaten the odds and is ten years into her marriage with Jack. However, the pages in the book of fairytales are beginning to smoulder and burn as she starts to question his fidelity. Forced into action by her suspicions, and hindered by her over-sexed mother and under-brained friend, Maggie embarks on a search for truth. What she finds, however, is an adventure that throws her directly into the claws of danger and will make her wish that infidelity were the only thing she had to worry about.
What new dangers will Maggie have to ward off in her search for the truth? To explore the truth in ‘All you need is love (and a big handbag)’ I’ve been joined by author Julie Hodgson. Julie, what inspired you to write about Maggie’s search?
An image…
Ahh, setting up a little mystery by not revealing your source. Without much detail about the image, it’s hard to guess what about it inspired you, but I’m willing to hazard a guess that an image alone did not hold all of the answers behind Maggie’s adventures. Did you paint in aspects of your own life to accompany the inspiration provided by the mystery image?
No, I just enjoy writing humor.
OK, how do your characters come to life in this humorous enjoyment?
Characters often come randomly to me… I often people watch too, which is rather helpful.
After combining this mix of a mystery image, random characters and observations from the sport of people watching, what result do you hope readers take to heart?
Just to have fun, and trust one another.
You hope readers take fun and trust from your novel. How has this fun and trust personally resulted in rewards for you?
I have been rewarded by people enjoyed reading it and laughing out loud. That was a buzz!
Have you continued this buzz onto a new writing project?
Yes, I have just finished another comedy; from Beer To Maternity, I love writing comedy.
When you’ve started a new novel like ‘Beer to Maternity’ or ‘All you need is love (and a big handbag)’, do you know where that comedic spirit will take you?
I never know what the end will be. It’s just an adventure for me as it is for the reader.
How does this adventure unfold on a daily basis?
I like writing in the morning with a steaming mug of coffee… I do not sit for hours on end thinking about word count.
Does that coffee also fuel editing?
I always get a professional to edit!
Professional editing is an amazing resource. Despite not editing your own work, have you still seen great progress with your writing skills since you started writing?
Yes, I am amazed how much my writing has changed.
With consistent practice, you’ve seen your writing improve. What else have you learnt about writing, publishing or yourself during your self-publishing journey that has improved you as an author?
Persevere… never give up, always use professional editors and formators. It is essential to be perfect.
*Laughs* Well, as they say, the devil is in the detail. As we’ve explored the details of writing, let’s move our focus onto the details of life, before I let you return to life itself, to see if we can unearth a few devils in our quick fire question round. We’ll start our devil digging session with why is lemon juice made with artificial flavour and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
This makes me smile.. I guess it’s to confuse us … ha ha
The confusing power of lemons! Can you also clear up the confusion in this question: if you’re in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
You don’t see the headlights.
What is your zodiac sign?
Aquarius.
What happens if Batman gets bitten by a vampire?
He will end up sleeping during the day!
Are you left or right handed?
Right.
What happens when you get scared half to death twice?
You die…. Once.
If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature what new animal would you create?
A horse and a kangaroo.
I’m very intrigued to see how this animal would move. If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?
Very good glue.
So the non-stick powers of TEFLON can be overcome by the best of glues. In the vein of adhesiveness, what is your favourite word that continues to stick in your mind?
Incorrigible.
You have a love a little of that incorrigible nature. To round out today’s interview, is there a little taste of those behaviours that you can leave our audience with today?
All I could see from my vantage point under the bed, that had seen more action than Madonna.
*Laughs* Julie, thanks for sharing the vantage points to your novel with us today, and I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming new comedic literary adventure ‘Beer To Maternity’.
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Excited to read the book we discussed today? Find it here on Amazon: ‘All you need is love (and a big handbag) ( ASIN: B01IH657OM )‘.
Want to find out more about Julie Hodgson? Connect here!