Author Interview Julie Conrad’s new book Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong

Julie Conrad talks as regards the latest release in her Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong, and what invigorated her story.

I interviewed author Julie Conrad as regards her lifetime and career, the Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong book trilogy, and what invigorated her third installment, Swansong.

Tell Julie Conrad who you are:

Hello, my name is Julie Conrad and I live in Cheshire with my husband and my Pomeranian dogs. I enjoy the outdoors, fitness, gardening, supporting animal welfare organizations, painting, and of course writing fiction.

I studied BA (Hons) in Social Sciences and CQSW. A social work graduate of London, where I lived for five years, I worked as a social worker in three London boroughs. I returned to the North West of England where I continued my career in  Greater Manchester.

I was a Regulatory Inspector with the current CQC for the last eight years prior to retirement. My studies, my training, and my work are related to psychology and psychotherapy, which have always interested me and still do.

When did thou first want to write a book?

When I was twenty, I knew I wanted to write a book. I wrote little, but to make a living I had to focus on my studies and career.

When did thou decide to start writing?

In 1990 I decided to write a book. I’ve written two novels, High Places, and Demons. My goal was to become a published author. These two novels have been in a box for thirty years. Self-publishing was not possible in the 1990s.

How long did it take you to complete your first book, from initial idea to publication?

At the start of the lockdown, I decided it was an opportunity to work on and publish two manuscripts that had been inactive for thirty years.

How tall did it take thou to complete thine latest book from the first idea to release?

My Last Novel is the last book in the trilogy by Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong. It took eighteen months to write the three books, Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong 1 subtitled Georgette.

SJR 2 subtitled A New Life and my new book SJR 3, Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong. Each novel took an average of six months to write and publish.

Focus on the latest version. What drew you to write Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong?

I felt a great need to continue Sara’s journey, she was a complex woman who drew me into her universe as she did my readers. I enjoy writing psychological thrillers/dramas. Enter the character’s mindset. As this was the third book in the trilogy, the character’s personality traits were established and the reader was already walking with a woman who must be controlled at all costs.

people are born with hopes and dreams, and some achieve them, but the reality of dreams is not always what they expect.

What was the most challenging writing Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong?

The biggest challenge in writing this book was figuring out how the reader would react to the main character, Sara’s ruthlessness, and emotional cruelty towards her little girl and the other siblings she cared about.

Who or what inspired thou when creating thine Protagonist?

My hero is inspired by the innocence of youth. Pink glasses inspired the protagonist Sara. A teenager’s dream and fantasy of being overpowered by Mr. Right. Sarah gets the man and lifestyle of her dreams with promises of a happy life, but the reality is very different.

Who or what inspired thou when creating thine Antagonist?

The antagonist is inspired by parents’ hopes and expectations of their children. Georgette, the eldest, is a disappointment to both parents due to her unattractiveness and lack of skills.

What is the inciting event of Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong?

An in-book fire incident takes place in the first book where Sarah undergoes a life-changing experience. Georgette becomes Sarah’s scapegoat for everything that goes wrong in her life, she is the embodiment of her fears and despair.

What is the original conflict of Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong?

The conflict in the book involves two aspects of Sarah’s personality, the character of Jeckle and Hyde.

Did thou plot Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong in advance, or fly by the post of thine pants and write freely?

I never planned or planned before starting a novel. I start by writing about a character, usually a woman, and the story unfolds. Since I’m in the creative zone, I wonder where all my ideas come from.

Did thou get support with editing, and how much editing did Sarah Jane Raymond Swansong necessity?

Hiring a freelance editor to edit the manuscript. Then I edit the line myself.

What is the first piece of writing counsel thou would give to anyone inspired to scribe a story?

For those who want to write a story, I would suggest starting by writing, by hand or in a notebook. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar at this point, just get into the story.

Can thou give me a hint as regards any further books thou are planning to write?

I  currently have 43,000 words for a new book that is very different from SJR but is about people, their lives, and how changes and circumstances affect their journey.

And, finally, are thou proud of thine accomplishment?

I am very proud to have written six books since the end of 2019. I think it was time to get creative and become the writer I always wanted to be. It was worth waiting for the time and opportunity to write and self-publish.

Pop all thine book, website, and social media links here so the readers can find thou:

All my books are available on Amazon, Apple, and all other online bookstores and can be ordered at any bookstore.

My website is www.julieconrad.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/Julieconradnovelist

https://instagram.com/julie_conrad_novelist

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