Julie: My husband and I live in Austin, Texas. We're both Texas natives (me, Austin and him, Ft. Worth) but we met when we were living in Los Angeles. We moved back about 5 years ago to be closer to our families, and, though I miss the beaches and mountains, it's nice to be home! We have five indoor/outdoor cats. Two we got right after we were married 8 years ago, and the other three have adopted us since we've been back in Texas. I'm a full-time attorney (business litigation) so you can imagine that mostly what I do is work and write. *g* But when I'm not, I love to go to movies, work in my yard, read books, and explore small towns.

Donna: When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

Julie: My earliest memory is of wanting to be a writer. I can remember telling my parents the story of THE LION WHO LOST HIS BREATH while we were driving to Waco (about 100 miles) when I was about three. I don't remember the exact story, but my mother swears it was brilliant. *g* And later, I wrote a "novel" called KITTY CLAUS about a Santa for cats. My favorite thing to do was to "write" on my dad's typewriter (just typing nonsense, actually, but it thrilled me! I still love the sound of a keyboard, and wish computers sounded like IBM Selectrics!). All through high school, I figured I'd be a novelist or a reporter. Somehow I got distracted and ended up in law school!

Donna: Why romance?

Julie: Because I love happy endings, and I love the interactions and relationships between people, and exploring that in a story. That's not to say that I naturally gravitated toward writing romance. As a kid, I read a lot of Stephen King, so my early scribblings (nothing finished) leaned toward the supernatural. Then I went to law school, and a lawyer novel seemed the way to go. But the ideas never jelled, and it wasn't until I started writing romance (duh! I read romance and I watched primarily romantic comedy movies!) that I found my voice and ... ta da! ... actually finished a manuscript.

Donna: How did you go about selling your first book? How long did it take?

Julie: I was pretty fortunate in that it didn't take too long. I started writing romance (and joined RWA) in 1997, right about the time I moved back to Austin. I finished one category romance (the hero was an underwater archeologist and the heroine was a documentary filmmaker) which was quite universally rejected! But I received encouraging rejections, and the one from Brenda Chin (now my editor at Harlequin) was extremely helpful. She said she liked my voice, but the story lacked the sexy hook Temptation was looking for. Out of that comment came the first line of my first book - "You need a man." (NOBODY DOES IT BETTER) Once I had the line, I needed a story, of course, but I wrote that story pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure I started it around November of 1998, and it sold in July of 1999. I sold it as a result of a first chapter contest. The chapter finaled, and Brenda Chin judged it in the final round and asked for the full manuscript.

Donna: How does your family feel about you writing romance - are they supportive?

Julie: Wonderfully supportive! In fact, when my dad saw my most recent book (APHRODITE'S KISS) at his local grocery store the Monday after I'd visited for a weekend, he called the manager over and said, "See that book? The author slept at my house last weekend." My dad has a goofy sense of humor. *g*

Donna: Do you let anyone read what you have written before you send it to your editor?

Julie: Most definitely!! I used to have my mom read everything, but lately I've fallen out of that habit. Now, though, a manuscript doesn't leave my hands unless both my critique partners-- Dee Davis and Kathleen O'Reilly, both of whom are fabulous - have seen it.

Donna: Did you start out to write comedy, or did it just happen?

Julie: It just happened! Even now, I don't think I'm "writing comedy". I'm just writing true to my voice and the story. And I think that's especially apparent if you compare my Temptations to the Love Spells. The Love Spells are more "comedic," though the Temptations definitely have funny, light moments. And I'm thrilled to say that I just accepted a two-book deal with Pocket, so I'll definitely be doing more single titles with a comedic edge! I'm VERY excited!

Donna: Where do you get ideas for your stories? Or the characters?

Julie: Oh my. That's a surprisingly difficult question. From everywhere and nowhere. It sounds flip, but they're just in my head ... and they develop more personality and depth when I put fingers on the keyboard and let them escape my head and live on the paper. I think all writers are a little schizo. *g*

Donna: Do you ever use personal experiences when writing your stories?

Julie: Yes, but not directly. The only scene I can remember off-hand that's very close to real life is the bathroom scene in THE CAT'S FANCY. Nick is blown away by how lush the women's room is, and that was my reaction the first time I went into one of the salon-type restrooms at a really ritzy hotel! Otherwise, bits and pieces, yes. Sure. I think every writer draws somewhat from personal experience.

Donna: Do you work from an outline? Do your characters ever try to take over and rewrite their scenes?

Julie: I write from proposal, so I work from a synopsis. And even on the books I sold blind, I still turn in a synopsis at some point. So, yes, I do work from an outline. I don't stick to it rigidly, but I do consider it a safety net!

As for characters taking over ... oh, my, yes! All sorts of things can happen when you're writing. For instance, Elmer wasn't even in the original synopsis of APHRODITE'S KISS. But he plunked himself down on Hale's shoulder early on, and away we went!!

Donna: Do you ever find your characters in situations that are hard to write them out of?

Julie: Yes, but fortunately that hasn't happened too often, and I've never gotten too stuck. That's one of the benefits of having a synopsis!

Donna: How long does it take you to write a story?

Julie: It really depends on the story and the publisher. The single titles take longer than a Temptation (as they should, since they're about twice the length). It's fair, though, to say that I write pretty fast.

Donna: Do you ever find yourself with a case of "writer's block" while in the middle of a story? If so, what helps you get beyond this problem?

Julie: Not yet!! Knock wood!

I have had days when I just don't want to write. I'd rather be outside or reading or something. I usually give in. Your psyche needs a break too, ya know. *g*

Donna: What is the hardest part of writing a story?

Julie: The fact that you can't just think it onto the paper. You've got this little mini-movie running in your head that you're trying to translate to paper. And while I'm usually happy with that translation, it's never exactly what is in my head. Certainly every reader will see something different. But that's also the cool part of reading and writing. The reader is such an integral part of making the story pull together.

Donna: What kind of books do you read for pleasure? Who are some of your favorite authors?

Julie: Everything! I used to read several books a week. Sadly, I just don't have the time anymore. My romance faves are legion, and I'll surely leave someone off, so I'm not even going to try. As for non-romance, Janet Evanovich, Jill Churchill, Anne Perry, Patricia Cornwell, Michael Crichton, Ira Levin, Ken Follett, to name just a few.

Donna: What type of research do you do before writing a book?

Julie: Not too much, actually. Since my stuff is contemporary, there's not a lot of "hard" research I have to do ahead of time. I do research settings and specific issues that come up in the story, usually relating to a character's profession. But a lot of times I'll start writing and research as I go. Some folks love to get buried in the research, but that's just not me.

Donna: What has been your favorite question or comment by your fans?

Julie: Oh my, that's hard! I'm just thrilled every time I get a note from a fan. They're all exciting!

Donna: What is your least favorite question from fans?

Julie: I don't think I have one!

Donna: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you related to your writing?

Julie: Hmmm. Another hard one. Okay, this didn't happen to me, but I thought it was funny. You have to keep in mind, that my whole life I went by Julie. When I started practicing law, I switched to Julia because there was already a Julie in my first office. So, when I met my husband, I was Julia and that's how he thinks of me. Relatives and high school/college friends think of me as Julie (as does everyone I've met since I started writing). So, that sets the stage ...

My husband was buying books at Barnes & Noble and he writes a check. "Oh my gosh!" says the clerk. "You're married to Julie Kenner?" My husband, thinking she's a fan since she's calling me Julie, says yes, and she just raves on and on about how cool I am. Being a good husband, Don's just about to ask if she'd like an autographed book when she says, "I haven't seen her in ages ... how's she doing?" Turns out she's my best friend's cousin! So much for my husband's presumption she was my biggest fan, LOL!!

Donna: Have you been happy with the covers for your books? Were you surprised that the covers were different for your foreign copies?

Julie: I've been thrilled with every single cover. The cover gods have smiled upon me. *g* I love that the foreign ones (some of them) are different. It's so much fun! The German covers are so racy!!

Donna: What is your idea of the "perfect hero"?

Julie: A good sense of humor, intelligent, and laid back. Good looking's a plus, but not in my top 5 :)

Donna: When you were writing NOBODY DOES IT BETTER, when did you know that you would write Rachel's story in RECKLESS?

Julie: I knew after I sold NDIB that I wanted to try and get another Temptation out as quickly as possible. Often that's difficult as a new author, but I really wanted to try, so before NDIB sold (but when I had interest), I started working on a proposal for Rachel's story. Once NDIB sold, I asked my editor if I could mention in the reader letter to watch out for Rachel's story ... and once she said yes, I knew I'd get to do her story!

Donna: Your characters get into some very funny situations. Do you laugh while you are writing?

Julie: Oh yeah! Sometimes I'll be grinning as I'm writing ... and my husband will think I'm losing it. *g*

Donna: Do the characters ever surprise you with their antics?

Julie: Definitely. I'm trying to think of a specific instance here and none pops to mind. But at least once a book.

Donna: You must be so proud that APHRODITE'S KISS made the USA Today bestseller list. How did you find out that it made the list?

Julie: There's an email loop that Dorchester authors and business folks (editors, marketing, etc.) are on. My editor posted a congrats note to the authors who'd made the list that week. There were three, and I was reading the list and when I got to my name, my first reaction was "Oh, I know her." After about a millisecond it kicked in that I was her. LOL! It was very exciting!

Donna: What are some of the awards your other books have won?

Julie: I've been very honored to have my books win and place for so many awards. I was also excited to receive a Desert Isle Keeper review from All About Romance for APHRODITE'S KISS, which isn't an award, but I'm very proud of it. And NOBODY DOES IT BETTER finaled in the Colorado Award of Excellence, and RECKLESS was a Holt Medalion Finalst. THE CAT'S FANCY won a Venus award from Heart Rate Reviews (a reader-based award), and is a finalist in The Texas Gold competition and the Prism contest. CAT also won the "Other Paranormal" category of The Romance Journal's Francis Awards, and placed second in the RBR Best of 2000 award for Comedy. CAT also placed second in RIO's Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence in the Paranormal category. In the PNR Pearl contest, CAT received an Honorable mention as Best Fantasy/Magical of 2000. Both NDIB and CAT are finalists in the Golden Quill contest (Best First Book and Paranormal, respectively). I've been very pleased with the books' showings in contests!

Donna: Deena and Hoop are key secondary characters in both THE CAT'S FANCY and in APHRODITE'S KISS. Do you have future plans for them?

Julie: Deena and Hoop are characters I just fell in love with, and they insisted on showing up again in AK (well, Deena mostly. Hoop's pretty laid back). Don't be surprised to see them in future books and, hopefully, get their very own story (perhaps an anthology story). No definitive plans yet, but I'm working on it.

Donna: With a name like "Lane Kent," Taylor's sister just has to have a story of her own. Will she be part of the Aphrodite series?

Julie: Tee-hee *g* You noticed that, huh?? She certainly will! I think her story may follow Hale's, but I'm not certain. At any rate, I've definitely got plans for her!

Donna: Can you give us a hint about Zoe's brother, Hale's story?

Julie: I'm having a lot of fun with Hale's story. As you might expect, Hale meets his match in a mortal female. Here's the short blurb about it that I'm going to post on my website one of these days. *g*

Mortal Tracy Tannin has always felt like the invisible girl. The granddaughter of a wildly popular goddess of the silver screen, Tracy has never quite lived up to her family's expectations. With her average looks and average friends, she's not exactly following in the family footsteps. But when she finds an antique belt in her grandmother's attic, all of that changes. Suddenly, it's Tracy who's the center of attention. Everybody loves her; everybody wants her - including some not too nice people who are after that belt. But the one thing Tracy didn't count on was falling for the tall, dark, handsome superhero assigned to protect her and the belt.

Superhero Hale has some deep-seated mortal issues. He's more than happy to protect them. After all, that's his sworn duty. And when the urge strikes, he's happy to sleep with the more luscious female specimens. But an emotional entanglement? No thank you very much. The reluctant friendships he's developed with his halfling sister's husband and friends are more than enough to satisfy his mortal quotient. And there's no way - no way at all - that he'd ever lose his heart to a mere mortal woman.

Or so he thought ...

Donna: You have Zoe's brother, Hale, disguised as a romance cover model. Which of our favorite cover models did you have in mind?

Julie: A conglomeration, really, but drawing on elements from Cherif Fortin (who, bless him, helped me with some research for Hale's book) and John D'Salvo. But Hale's definitely his own guy!

Donna: We know that Hale loves Zoe and was only trying to protect her, but he was a royal pain at times. Will you make him work hard to get his heroine in APHRODITE'S PASSION?

Julie: He definitely has his work cut out for him!

Donna: And what about Mordi? Will he have a story too?

Julie: Yup. At least that's my plan!

Donna: And I just have to ask - is "It's A Wonderful Life" one of your favorite movies? *G*

Julie: That obvious, huh? Yup!! It certainly is!

Donna: You have quite a few books already lined up for future publication, including your first of the Blaze series. What kind of books do you hope to write in the future?

Julie: I really enjoy the types of books that I'm writing right now - sexy, steamy books for Harlequin and light paranormals for Dorchester - and I'm thrilled to be able to add straight contemporary romantic comedy to the list with the books for Pocket. Overall, I'm a happy camper!

Donna: How does the internet affect you as an author?

Julie: I'm much more focused in my procrastination. *g*

Seriously, the internet is an amazing tool - research can be done in hours (often minutes) instead of days. The resources available are phenomenal. The promo opportunities are wide open. On the email side, it's made it easy for writers to connect and network both among themselves and with readers. In other words, it's great.

On the downside, you have to be disciplined. You can spend hours on the internet playing on line and then realize you've done absolutely nothing! All things in moderation, as they say ...

Donna: Is there any way we as readers can help to promote new authors such as yourself?

Julie: Talk about the books you read and love! Get the word out! One of the most difficult things in publishing is that a new, mid-list author doesn't have the huge publisher push of, say, a John Grisham. So it's easy for a mid-list book to get lost. But word of mouth (and word of email/internet) is a huge tool. More buzz equals more sales equals more books in the future from that author!

Donna: Do you have any advice for the aspiring authors here at RBL?

Julie: Write, write, write and read, read, read!!

Seriously, keep writing. Work on finding your own unique voice. Be persistent! Breaking into publishing can take years. And read - both inside and outside romance. I firmly think that reading is the best way to study the craft, not to mention studying the market.

Donna: Anything else you would like to say?

Julie: Thank you so much for asking me to do this interview. Loads of fun!

And if anybody wants free goodies and stuff, send a SASE to PO Box 151417, Austin, Texas, 78715-1417. All my info is on my webpage. Also, I have an email newsletter that folks can subscribe to by sending an email to me.

Thanks again for inviting me!