Lost Shadows by Julie Elizabeth Powell - interview and giveaway!

Julie Elizabeth Powell has appeared on my blog a couple of times before. I am thrilled to be welcoming her back today to chat about her latest release, Lost Shadows.




I am a fan of Julie's writing and have read most of her books. Each one is always a joy to read, and I look forward to her new releases. She writes in many genres but fantasy lies at the heart of most of her writing. She's an inspirational lady who I have come to consider a great friend, and she's also a prolific writer.


Julie has offered to give away 5 pdf copies of Lost Shadows to lucky readers of my blog. To enter for your chance to win a copy, please either 'Like' this blog, or leave a comment for Julie below.
Winners will be picked on 1st September 2012.


Here's my interview with Julie:

Lost Shadows, your latest novel, deals with the mind -- in particular what can happen to the mind to cause memory loss. There are lots of different characters in the book, all dealing in one way or the other with memory loss. Was there anything in particular that inspired you to write a book about this subject area, or was it just something that developed into a novel from an idea?


I’ve always been interested in how the mind works, especially that it makes us what we are. Experiences imprint on our brain, therefore, storing memories – what then would happen if these were lost? Would we cease to be that person, or part of who we were etc.? What happened to my daughter, Samantha, obviously has some bearing on my ongoing interest, as she was severely brain damaged at the age of two – essentially wiping away anything she was. I’ve also taught people with part brain damage and those that have suffered a stroke, and my aunt developed Alzheimer’s – and then of course I read about all sorts of accidents or illnesses that cause memory loss. I find it fascinating and want to find out what differences it makes, especially to identity. So the idea, like all my ideas, are inspired by what I learn and think, curiosity being the key. For Lost Shadows, the question was: Where do memories go when they are lost?

In your book, one of the characters likes learning facts, often the type that are maybe good for general knowledge tests but not much more LOL. One of these facts got me thinking... is it really true that spiders lay their eggs in the bottom of bananas? Please tell me you made that up!

From what I’ve learned, yes, spiders can lay eggs in the ends of bananas! Although, I’ve never checked it out, and even if it’s not true, I would always nip off the ends just in case.

(Hmm... I'm going to be doing that from now on!!)




As your new book is all about memory, what's your memory like?

Ah, well, my memory is good on some things – especially with writing and all the characters I create (though I have to note down ‘facts’ about things occasionally) but sometimes I wonder if my brain has forgotten everything else! I can forget the most silly of things (e.g. ‘where are my glasses, oh, right, on my head?!’) I tend to write things down if necessary – I like lists – which help. Somehow, writing it down helps memory – I found this useful when at university with all those things to remember for exams. It really helped making smaller and smaller lists until just one word could expand into a whole host of explanations and facts in my head when faced with the exam paper. Having said that, I mostly write as it flows, never once making a list or knowing where it’s going. One thing I would like to say here is that having a good memory (those geniuses that never have to revise) is not necessarily a mark of intelligence. I believe ‘cleverness’ has everything to do with ‘understanding’, however long it takes to learn (whatever it is). Though, I suppose Shakespeare was right in the tragedy of ‘man’, in that many can learn, but too late and are bound to repeat mistakes over and over – this can be seen, of course, throughout history. Rambling a little here, sorry. But that’s how my mind works, I think of one thing and it leads to another and another... I think that the most important thing is to keep the mind open – to anything. As to my memory, although I can have trouble with the trauma of past, for the most part it’s intact.


Lost Shadows is part psychological thriller and part fantasy. The fantasy part seems to kick in towards the end but was obviously there in the novel from the start, in hindsight. I have read most of your books and I think although they are all different, one thing that seems to link your fantasy novels is that you create new worlds in your books, whether inside or outside the mind. After you debut novel, Gone, the world of Avalon was further visited in the Avalon Trilogy. Do you have plans to further visit the world of Mageia created in Of Sound Mind... or to create a series or sequel to Lost Shadows to further explore the fantasy element that is revealed at the end?




Yes, I love fantasy, and the worlds I create – which usually unfold as I write – Avalon being the first ‘official’ one, in Gone (explained in the book why I chose the name). And yes, I loved the world so much that I couldn’t let it go to waste, and what better way to have fun with it than to make it a children’s fantasy adventure. The Star Realm is book one, but as I wrote it, I realised that the story was going to be vast, so I had to break it into three parts – hence, The Avalon Trilogy. That’s it with Avalon, however, and I am very pleased with how it worked. I’ve wondered whether or not to write a sequel to Of Sound Mind, so to further explore the world of Mageia, and yes, I think it would work, however, my mind has been into other things so that’s an idea for the future. As to Lost Shadows, well, I’m not sure, because sometimes a story ends for me and that’s it – but maybe.




You have written in many different styles and genres, from poetry, short stories, fantasy, murder/mystery, and even comedy. Do you think you will continue to explore different genres and styles in your writing or settle on one genre for future writing projects?

Yes, I think I will continue to explore different genres – I like the challenge – and it’s good to force the mind to other things, out of the comfort zone, if you like. And I get bored easily, as in life, my writing has to be different /try new things. I could never settle for just one thing (not in writing, anyway).

You were recently interviewed by a local radio station. What was that experience like, and do you have any more radio interviews lined up?

The radio interview experience was terrifying! I hated it. The host was wonderful but my nerves were in overdrive. I would never want to do it again *sigh* but would if I had to – anything for my books. Although I have been interviewed for a magazine, but whether or not they will publish, I’m not sure – it’s supposed to focus on Gone and Slings & Arrows but I don’t know if I trust them to do it right...but if it creates interest... My worry is that the ‘human angle’ will make me look, for example, ridiculous. I’m always suspicious of newspapers and magazines, that’s why I never read them. Whose truth and all that? Build them up to bring them down – that sort of thing.


I've noticed that more recently, you have become very active on social networking sites in regard to promoting your work. Have you learnt anything from your experience that you could pass on to other indie writers? Have you had any successes with any particular types of promotion that you could tell us about?

Social networking seems to be a necessary evil and I’m not sure if it’s any good for sales or not, only if I do nothing, I remain in obscurity. When I offer ‘freebies’ through KDP Select, networking is one way to market the idea, and I’ve had quite a few downloads, although ‘free’ is a mixed blessing in that it can attract negative reviews – and of course there a millions of others out there with the same idea. I’ve had a few sales, but not many. I’ve run out of ideas about how to market /promote my work (and in truth, I hate this part), as I’ve no money for anything more than I’m doing. I’ve tried networking, talking on the radio, the library, talking to other authors, the high street bookshops, asking for reviews through Amazon and bloggers. I do have a blog with Goodreads, and I post when I can, but time is limited with everything Indie authors have to do (as well as our ‘other’ life). I have a website, but not much traffic. I also have ‘pages’ on Facebook as well as an Author Page through Amazon. I also post comments on all the books sites I can, as well as read and review other Indie books (without reciprocation) because I believe in supporting others as much as I can. And I continue to submit to literary agents and publishers – I’ve done this for many, many years with no luck. I think I keep trying because I believe in my work and I need a marketing machine, otherwise I wouldn’t bother, as I like the total control of self-publishing.

Are you working on any other books at the moment?

I’m working on two books at the moment. One is a collection of short stories, although that’s not quite true – it’s difficult to explain without giving away secrets – it’s different from what you might expect, it’s called 13. The other is, I suppose, if I use the term loosely, a romance. I’ve not written one before (though Misadventures Of Fatwoman has romance), so it’ll be a challenge. Again, it won’t be what you expect (I don’t think). It’s called, Changing Angels. Both are going to take a long time to write – maybe next year at least one will be ready – it depends on the characters and where they lead.



If readers want to find you online, what is the best website for them to find out more about you and your work?

All my books are on:
Amazon UK (Kindle)

Amazon USA (Kindle)

Lulu (Print) (where sample chapters can be read of all my books)

My website: For some writing tips and reviews of all my books.

Twitter

Facebook:

Gone

My Page

Interviews:

http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...

http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/2012/0...

http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/2012/0...
http://theindieexchange.com/author-in...

I would just like to say thank you, Maria, for your support and encouragement, and to all those who have read my books (and even better, reviewed them positively) – please spread the word.

Thanks for being a wonderful guest as always, Julie! I'm looking forward to your new books.


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