Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in New York and raised in Canada, but I left North America a long time ago, determined to have a life of adventure and discovery, not one of security and comfort – although those things can be appealing during life’s more uncomfortable moments.
I’ve since crossed much of Europe on foot, traveled, by bus, train, car, or truck throughout North and Central America, Europe, and the Sahara. I’ve lived in unique places — in a Hungarian mud house, a Bavarian castle, a Turkish cave dwelling, on a Dutch canal, and in a lonely, very haunted stone house on the English moors. Presently, my French partner and I live in a 400-year-old former inn in a small French village.
My sort of lifestyle means staying flexible and taking up any sort of work that presents itself: belly dancer, fortune teller, translator, fashion model, storyteller, b-girl, radio broadcaster, actress, social critical artist, photographer, and writer.
I’ve discovered forgotten communities, met strange characters, had some very odd conversations, and I incorporate all the information into my books. So far, I’ve had five romances published and, as Jill Culiner, two mysteries and two narrative non-fiction works. I also narrate audiobooks, and I have a podcast — Life in a Small French village — that can be heard here: https://soundcloud.com/j-arlene-culiner
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is the second book in Romance in Blake’s Folly: All About Charming Alice.
Once upon a time, I found myself in a clapboard, rusty trailer, semi-ghost town in Nevada. The hotel I stayed in, was a rundown has-been, where ceilings soared high, and the lumpy, almost colorless wallpaper was surely a century old. Outside, an ever-buffeting wind dragged dust across the frozen ground, rattled low-lying grasses, and set the wooden doors of abandoned shacks tapping. In the hotel’s shabby bar, a talentless band whined out bad country music, and eccentric locals dished up tall tales, wry humor, and suspicion. It was a singular community, quite magical, and I’ve recreated it as Blake’s Folly, the setting for this new romance, and for Desert Rose, the first book in this series (although both books are stand-alones.)
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I doubt it. I’m too chaotic to form a habit. I’m all over the place most of the time, jiggling rehearsal time (I play oboe and tuba in several orchestras), writing time, dream time, and walking time. I do promise I’ll get up at five in the morning to write — and sometimes I even manage to do it. For a while… At other times, I try to work in the afternoons (mornings are for music) but I’m not very consistent.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have no idea how to answer this question. I have been a passionate reader all my life, falling in love with so many authors, and so many books, all I can say is, they have all influenced me. At the moment, I’m in love with Linda Grant, W.G. Sebald, Alan Hollinghurst, Robert D. Kaplan, Charles King. I love the way these writers use language and images; I love the worlds they take me to.
What are you working on now?
I’m making notes for another Romance in Blake’s Folly. This will take place in the 1940s, when Rose’s grandmother came to America from Russia and met the love of her life, a Nevada saloon owner. I’ll also be writing about another Blake’s Folly character, the veterinarian Lance Potter. Not only that, I’ll also be narrating some more audiobooks, and continuing my podcast (https://soundcloud.com/j-arlene-culiner). I’ve already narrated two of my romances — A Swan’s Sweet Song, and Felicity’s Power, as well as my mystery, Sad Summer in Biarritz, and books by other authors.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have no idea what works and what doesn’t. I suppose that guest blogging is the best way to get information out into the big wide world.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just the usual: read outside your comfort zone. Read history, learn about other cultures, read classics, read the best contemporary literary work, read poetry — especially the poetry written between 1900 and 1990. And keep your television turned off.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep writing, no matter what. Ignore failure.
What are you reading now?
Midnight at the Pera Palace: The Birth of Modern Istanbul, by Charles King
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have submitted two creative non-fiction manuscripts to a publisher, and I’m keeping all my fingers crossed. Working on a computer with crossed fingers is really hard.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
All the volumes of the encyclopedia would do it for me. Yes, I know that’s more than three or four books, but so what. On the other hand, I have no intention of getting stuck on a desert island. I hate boats and ships, so I’d never get out there in the first place. Besides, even if I were out there, how long would I survive? What is there to eat on a desert island? No trees, no vegetation, no fresh water.
Author Websites and Profiles
J. Arlene Culiner Website
J. Arlene Culiner Amazon Profile
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