Author Interview: Julie Anne Peters

Julie Anne Peters

National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters is the author of Rage: A Love Story which comes out on September 8, 2009! The book is based on the dark side of love due to abuse. In January 5, 2010, Julie will also release By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead which focuses on a girl who is suicidal. She has written many more books for Older Readers and also writes for Middle Readers as well. Julie currently lives in Lakewood, Colorado with her partner Sherri. Thank you Julie for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview! I cannot wait to read both of yours books :)

For more info on Julie, visit her official website: http://julieannepeters.com

Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/julieannepeters

Myspace (where she writes her blog): http://www.myspace.com/julieannepeters

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/julieannepeters

1) How old were you when you started writing? I was 38. Prior to that, I’d never written anything in my life.

2) What inspired you to write Rage? A reader, Alyson, wrote to me and asked if I’d write a book about dating abuse between two girls. She was in that kind of relationship and felt it was a subject no one ever talked about. She was right, of course, but I didn’t think I was the person to tackle such a tough topic. I told her she should write her own story, since she was living it. Over the course of two years, Alyson and I corresponded. She and her girlfriend had been to counseling and resolved their issues. But I’d never known anyone who came out of a domestic abuse situation feeling whole. And the books I’ve read (which are always about how guys are abusive to girls) end up with the guy being the villain and the girl being the victim. My personal belief is that each person contributes to psychological or physical violence in a relationship. Eventually, Alyson and her girlfriend broke up. She still wanted me to write her story, which I couldn’t, but now I felt I could bring my own sensibility to a story about the topic of dating abuse between girls.

3) Are the characters in the books based on someone you know? Yes, Alyson. But not really. My characters emerged slowly as the story developed.

4) What was the hardest part about writing Rage? All the violence and poverty. I hate to give away a major plot point, but anytime I have to force my characters to face their worst fears or suffer through their darkest hours of despair, it wrecks me.

5) Out of all the books you've written, which one is your favorite and why? My favorite is always the one I’m working on at the moment. All my creative energies are channeled into that book. It’s also the book I refuse to talk about until it’s done J.

6) I see in January 2010, you have another YA book coming out, By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead, what can we expect from this book? A lot of controversy. This is a book about a girl who’s planning her own suicide.

7) Are there any new authors that have sparked your interest? I’m more impressed with authors who are able to stay in the game, writing one great book after another. It’s incredibly difficult to make a career out of writing, so in the interest of recognizing my favorite established writers, let me list a few: James Howe, Ron Koertge, Barbara Park, M.E. Kerr, Ellen Conford, Sharon Creech, Lois Lowry, Kathe Koja, Ellen Wittlinger, Dyan Sheldon, James Marshall, Betsy Byars, Virginia Euwer Wolff, Patricia McCormick, Alex Sanchez, David Levithan, Graham McNamee, Dyan Sheldon, Carl Deuker, Kate DiCamillo, Sarah Dessen, Jack Gantos, Adam Rapp, A.M. Jenkins, Rachel Cohn, Sharon Creech, Claudia Mills, Catherine Ryan Hyde, Susan Beth Pfeffer, and on and on.

8) What book are you currently reading? After by Amy Efaw. It’s amazing. I recently read Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott and I can’t get it out of my head.

9) Do you have anything to say to all your readers? Thank you for being loyal and faithful readers. Thank you for buying my books, spreading the word about them, and helping me build a career in writing. I love writing books for you as much as you love reading them. Thank you for creating a cycle of empowerment fueled by love.

10) Tell us something about yourself that no one knows about. - I always wanted to be a famous singer, but I can’t stay awake beyond ten p.m., so I’d never make the late night talk talks.