Writer Wednesday: Guest author Julie Arduini – and a giveaway!

Hello from the beach in South Carolina! I’m on vacation this week, drinking in as much SC as possible before cold weather hits!

Today I’d like to welcome back to the blog author Julie Arduini – and one commenter will win an ebook copy of her featured book, You’re Brilliant!

And now, here’s the interview!

Welcome, Julie!

What inspired you to write?

Writing has always been a release and an escape for me. When kids were cruel or things were going on I couldn’t control, writing was everything. The characters were my friends.

And characters never argue, right? Well, sometimes . . . I’ve had a few that wanted their own way a few times too many! lol!

What is one story from real life you put in your books?

In You’re Amazing, the adult protagonist is a mother of young children. She’s overwhelmed and caught in the cycle of trying to please everyone, especially her own mother. Lena is a mentor with the Linked ministry, and they have an evening meeting. Because she craves times with others over the age of three, she’s not in a hurry to get home. Yet, when she arrives, her husband did her a favor and kept the boys up so they could say goodnight. I remember those days, that’s why I created Lena. I used to participate in Mothers of Preschoolers, MOPS. We would go out for dessert after the meetings for the sole purpose of not putting the kids to bed. When I would get home, my husband would have the kids up to say goodnight. Seems like yesterday!

Oh, that’s funny! Bless their hearts, husbands try, don’t they?

 What is one thing you have to do before you go out in public?

Well, this year, I have to put on a mask. That’s new. However, my own routine is that I have to have eyeliner on. I might not wear any other makeup, but I need to have that on.

ME TOO!!! Eyeliner and mascara! Of course, with the masks, we only have to put makeup on from the eyes up! LOL!! That’s saved a ton in lip coverings!

 Do you look at writing as a calling?

If you’re writing for publication, I do. It is hard work that no one sane would sign up for. I believe God created the desire to write deep within those who do. I can’t imagine not writing. For me, although it is a small business, it is foremost a ministry for me. I write with the hopes those words encourage people to find freedom in Christ through surrender. I know He created me for that.

That’s exactly right, Julie. Sometimes I wonder about the impact of my writing, and someone, randomly, will come up to me and tell me something about my book that I hadn’t even considered. That’s God!

Thanks so much for the interview, Julie!

About You’re Brilliant

Amazing things happen when a group of high school students and women discover they are more than competent.

Bethany’s not excited to start high school in a new community where she doesn’t know anyone. She quickly befriends KJ, a popular sophomore, and it looks like the transition will go well until Bethany discovers KJ’s boyfriend is a bully. With a strong sense of justice, Bethany challenges Brent Sullivan, and he’s determined to make her suffer.

Cheri takes on an additional job in a school to help pay for Sabrina’s wedding. It’s a different atmosphere than at the church where she feels more comfortable as the pastor’s wife and mentor with the Linked ministry. After several mishaps, Cheri feels like she’s found an assignment where she can make a difference until a teacher belittles her work.

Can Bethany and Cheri resist the lies about their competency and hold on to the fact they’re brilliant?

The final book in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series for tweens, teens, and women of all ages by mother and daughter authors Julie Arduini and Hannah Arduini.

You can purchase You’re Brilliant HERE!

About Julie

Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and —maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of the contemporary romance series SURRENDERING TIME, (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged,) as well as the stand-alone novellas, MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN and RESTORING CHRISTMAS. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. Her other latest release, YOU’RE BRILLIANT, is for girls ages 10-100, written with her teenage daughter, Hannah, and is book 3 in their SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ series. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read, as well as monthly with Inspy Romance. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites readers to opt in to her content full of resources and giveaway opportunities.

The giveaway!

Julie has graciously offered an ebook copy of You’re Brilliant to one lucky commenter! Here’s a question, if you’d like to answer, or just comment: When was a time when you felt brilliant??

Have a great week!

Looking for some good reads? Check these out HERE!!