Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always been a voracious reader, and started writing and illustrating stories when I was very young. But despite my love of books, I’ve always found it difficult to find ones that hit all of the right notes. I enjoy fantasy, but quickly grew tired of the typical “hero finds a magic sword and saves the day” type of stories. I wanted the magic of the fantasy genre, but also craved the pace and introspection of coming-of-age and “family drama” novels. The fantasy genre has become so much more diverse than it was when I first started reading back in the ’80s and ’90s, but at the time, I didn’t believe it was possible to publish the sort of books I wanted to read. This was before self-publishing was a viable option.
So I pursued other creative ventures. I went to college for fine arts, and ended up becoming a potter. I spent over a decade traveling around to art shows, selling my work from an EZ-Up tent. But in the evenings, I would write. At first it was just for my own self-expression, but after getting some initial feedback from friends, I realized I wanted to write novels and reach a wider audience. I wrote three novels before deciding I was ready to publish. I have one published novel now, called The Maiden Tree. It is the first in a trilogy, and I plan on writing a second trilogy that follows it.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It sounds funny, but the main character of The Maiden Tree was originally inspired by the music I was listening to in my studio–mostly neoclassical darkwave and gothic/operatic metal bands. The Norwegian band Tristania was a big influence, in particular. The haunting female vocals of their earlier releases, combined with the harder metal edges, seemed to tell a compelling story. I was also running a Dungeons & Dragons game at the time, and got inspired to explore the relationship between magic and music in my game. Amardine, my main character in The Maiden Tree, was originally a minor character in that game, but I grew more and more interested in her backstory. She is the daughter of a famous opera singer and wants to follow in her late mother’s footsteps, but doesn’t understand the price her mother paid for her unusual talents.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know how unusual this is, but I tend to grow my books draft by draft, trimming what doesn’t work and adding more material as I go. My first drafts are usually very short (maybe 10-20% the length of the finished manuscript). I do work from an outline, but each draft gets a new (and more detailed) outline. I work in a similar way with my drawings, by starting with the bones and then fleshing out details as I go. By the time I’m done, I don’t have a lot to cut out.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I remember reading Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey, around 2000, and feeling like it broke a lot of the norms for the fantasy genre at the time. I loved her writing style and the fact that her protagonist was not the “typical” young male hero or virginal princess. I remember feeling the very first twinge of “maybe I can tell the stories I want to write, too.” But it was a good ten years before I really started getting into the craft of writing in earnest.
What are you working on now?
I am working on the sequel to The Maiden Tree. Fortunately, I have a good head start on it because I wrote multiple drafts of the manuscript on-and-off while I was writing The Maiden Tree. It definitely helps when you’re writing a series to be a bit ahead of the book you’re currently working on.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am very new to promoting my books, so I don’t feel like I can give an informed answer to that at this time. When I was a potter, I got about 90% of my sales from art shows and hand-selling my work. It’s a pretty grueling lifestyle but it was pretty much a necessity for the medium. I would still love to do some shows to promote both my book and to sell my prints inspired by my book, but I’m glad there are more viable online options for authors!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
This is more aimed at writers who are just starting out trying to write a novel, not published authors, but I would advise that you not get caught up in endless first chapter revisions. Write all the way to the end of your manuscript, no matter how “bad” you think it is. You will learn so much about how to construct a novel by writing a beginning, middle, and end. Also, don’t be afraid to completely overhaul your first draft! Revision isn’t just changing a sentence here and there or getting rid of some adverbs. It is literally the practice of re-adjusting your vision of the story.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t argue with readers on Goodreads.
What are you reading now?
I am re-reading Madame Bovary, and enjoying it even more the second time. I love the depth of characterization, and even though it takes place in a very different time and place, I can definitely see people I know in some of the characters!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to continue working on illustrations for The Maiden Tree, while diving back into writing the sequel.
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?
Fingersmith (Sarah Waters), I Capture the Castle (Dodie Smith), and Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn).
Author Websites and Profiles
Julianna Drumheller Website
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