Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an ordinary person who is doing something extraordinary — living my bucket list. I would like to help others do the same, which is why I have started to write a series of books on living your bucket list.
In my previous life, I held a variety of management and consultancy roles in a range of sectors including conservation volunteering, banking and construction. I am currently following my dream and focusing my attention on adventure, writing and presenting.
I live in Wales with my husband Mike, and love our daily walks along the beach. I am a member of Rotary International and Toastmasters International, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Senator of Junior Chamber International (JCI).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Although I am not a cyclist, as soon as I heard about Cycling UK’s King Alfred’s Way route through some of England’s most iconic landscapes, I added it to my bucket list. It didn’t take long before I was cycling the path with my friend Alison. I would like to help others do the same, which is why I have written this book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know whether it’s unusual, but I like to use mind maps when I’m planning my books. The first one is terribly messy and includes everything I think I might want to include. I then tidy it up into a clear framework and create a tidier mind map of each chapter before I start writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Michael Heppell and his book ‘How to be Brilliant’ set me off on the path of self-employment, which has been totally liberating. Will Storr’s book ‘The Science of Storytelling’ helped me to better understand what makes stories work. And Tim Ferriss’ book ‘Tribe of Mentors’ has influenced me to start meditating – and training at a Crossfit gym!
What are you working on now?
I am planning to spend three months in Costa Rica this summer, and anticipate that my next book will be about that experience. In the meantime, I am writing a couple of walking guidebooks, one based in England and one in Wales.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I hope that Awesome Gang is going to prove to be as awesome as their name suggests!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Just finish writing your first draft – don’t try to get it right first time. I find it much easier to knock something into shape than to perfect it as I go along.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always look for the silver lining. It’s a habit I have that might make me annoyingly positive at times!
What are you reading now?
Fell Asleep: Spring – Sleeping with Wainwright by Russ Moorhouse. It’s written by a man who has slept out on all of the Lake District Fells that are known as ‘Wainwrights’ across the last year, and it’s a love letter to nature, solitude and life itself.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing a couple of walking guidebooks.
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?
Chocolat by Joanne Harris – for pure escapism
Tribe of Mentors by Timothy Ferriss – for pearls of wisdom to keep me buoyant
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry – so that I could write an epic poem of my experience
Author Websites and Profiles
Julia Goodfellow-Smith Website
Julia Goodfellow-Smith Amazon Profile
Julia Goodfellow-Smith’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile