Wednesday, July 20, 2011

5 Easy Questions with Julie Musil!

Every Wednesday, I ask a writer the same five easy questions. In an effort to support and promote fellow wordsmiths, I feature authors who write a variety of genres, from sweet inspirational to mainstream thrillers. The writers themselves may be aspiring, published, or best-selling--all have made an impact on my life.


Thank you for joining me in welcoming…Julie Musil!!

Julie burst onto the blogging scene with a bang, and I noticed her media-savvy right away. She has a knack for building platform--any writer can learn from her. It came as no surprise to me when, earlier this year, she announced she'd landed an agent--Karen Grencik of Red Fox Literary Agency. (Congrats again, Julie!) Julie's kindness and generosity are evident everywhere she goes. I'm blessed to have her in my life and can't wait until the day she announces she has a book deal!
 
Let's get to it!
 
1. Beverage of choice? 
 
Thankfully it's water, which I guzzle all day long.  If I'm eating out, I'll order iced tea. And if I'm feeling especially saucy, I'll have a strawberry margarita when I'm out with friends.  


2. Any pets?

Our sons have two leopard geckos, which eat live crickets. Yuck. And we have two cute little rescue doggies, Stubby and Pete, who sit at my feet while I'm writing.

3. Dream vacation? 

Caribbean cruise with my family.  My husband and I took that trip for our honeymoon, and I'd love to share it with our three boys.

4. What are you listening to right now? 

Spongebob and Patrick going jelly fishing. Imagine Spongebob's cackle...that's what I'm listening to.

5. What's for dinner?

Chicken and veggie stir fry. Yum.

***
Julie, I've been drinking wa-a-ay too much soda this summer. You've inspired me to drink more water. You're a brave woman for allowing reptiles as pets. I can't even handle the idea of the crickets, let alone the geckos! And I would love to take a cruise with our kids. There's so much to do, endless food (as a mother of an active son, this feature is a big plus!), and stops at some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Heaven!!
 
Oh, and I'm pretty sure I know every SpongeBob by heart, and if I know them all by heart, then surely my kids do too...whoops! Guess I should turn the television off. :) Thanks so much for being my guest today!
 
Julie Musil ~
 
Julie Musil is the author of young adult fiction, an e-picture book for young readers, and articles for Scholastic MATH and Highlights magazines. She can be found at her website, Julie Musil: Children's Author, her blog, and on Twitter. She is represented by Karen Grencik of Red Fox Literary.



Are you working on a project this summer? Writers--what stage is your work-in-progress?
 
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
Posted by Jill Kemerer at 7:00 AM
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34 comments:

  1. Laura PaulingJuly 20, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Yay! Go Julie! :)

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  2. S.P. SipalJuly 20, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Julie, you just made me realize that my kids must be growing up. I haven't heard Spongebob in several months! (sob!, they're getting old!)

    Thanks for doing these short interviews, Jill. :-)

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  3. Wendy Paine MillerJuly 20, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Very cool on the agent front.

    I need to drink more water.

    And it still amazes me how a sponge rose to such fame.

    ~ Wendy

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  4. Katie GanshertJuly 20, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Love these fun interviews Jill.

    And Julie - great reminder to drink more water!

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  5. Jill KemererJuly 20, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    Good morning!!

    Laura: Right on!!

    SP: Wait...I'll turn my television on extra loud. Do you hear it? "Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?" :)

    Wendy: I need to drink a LOT more water. And how did that square sponge capture our hearts?

    Katie: Thanks! And I'm glancing at my coffee. I really should have a big glass of ice water. After another cuppa, of course!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  6. Lacie NezbethJuly 20, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Hi Julie. Nice to meet you. I'm with you on the cruise front. It's my vacation of choice! Love them!

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  7. Cynthia HerronJuly 20, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    A dancing sponge in pants--ahhh, if only our daily musings could be so creative! :)

    My husband and I took a Caribbean cruise before kiddos came along and it was truly fabulous!

    I enjoyed learning more about you , Julie!

    And in answer to your question, Jill, I'm continuing to work on the second book in my series as I indulge in Starbucks, iced tea, and waaay too much chocolate!

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  8. Erica VetschJuly 20, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Good morning, Jill and Julie!

    I love these quick interviews.

    Ugh on reptiles as pets. But I love the names Stubby and Pete. They sound like the perfect, inseparable duo.

    I've never been on a cruise and I've never (gasp) seen an episode of Spongebob.

    As to the question of the day...I'm hard at work on a WIP, and I'm approaching the halfway mark. Yay!

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  9. Julie MusilJuly 20, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Jill, thanks so much for hosting me today, and for your kind words!

    Laura, thanks for dropping by!

    SP, right now I long for the no-Spongebob days ahead, but when I'm there, I'll probably miss the cute little guy.

    Wendy, thanks! And I wish I had been the creative genius who came up with the sponge idea.

    Cynthia, I'm glad you enjoyed your Caribbean cruise also! We took a cruise two summers ago with our kids, and it was so different than doing it alone. Just a different sort of fun!



    Katie--water is the one thing I do right. I love sweets waaaay too much, but hopefully I'm balancing it out with enough water

    Lacie, I love cruises also. There's so much to do, and so much to eat! Perfect for taking three always-hungry boys.

    Erica, I have this fear of leopard geckos escaping and running through my house. And when my sons bring them out and hold them....blech!

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  10. Sewing ProjectsJuly 20, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    I don't even know what sponge bob is. lol but my grandson is starting to watch cartoons...maybe i soon will.

    Thanks for the post!

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  11. Julie MusilJuly 20, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    Sewing Projects, if your grandson is starting to watch cartoons, Spongebob just might be in your near future! It really is cute.

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  12. Jessica NelsonJuly 20, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Revisions on pretty much everything. I'm SO ready to start a new story.

    Kudos on the water, Julie! I have 3 boys too and they have snakes, which eat mice. Ick. I'm feeling ya. :-)

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  13. KaraJuly 20, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Loved the questions and answers. Starting a new WIP, right now plotting away:)

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  14. Julie MusilJuly 20, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Jessica...snakes? Eeeek! Now I don't feel quite so bad.

    Kara, wishing you good luck on your new wip!

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  15. Leigh CaronJuly 20, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Always a pleasure meeting new authors. Thanks Jill and Julie

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  16. Keli GwynJuly 20, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Julie, I'm doing my best to drink more water these days. It's hard since I'm a huge fan of sweet tea, but when I plop some ice cubes and a slice of lemon in a glass of water it's more satisfying than I would have thought.

    I might be willing to drink water, but I draw the line at reptiles as pets. You're a braver woman than I. =)

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  17. Jessica R. PatchJuly 20, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    I can do water, can't do lizards...or crickets! :)

    I love these 5 easy question days.

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  18. Loree HuebnerJuly 20, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Love the interview, ladies! Congrats again, Julie! Love your blog.

    We have had a leopard gecko, named Jonny, since my daughter was in the 5th grade. Jonny is now at grad school with her - 11 or 12 years old? - He loves his crickets and meal worms. I don't know how old they can get but this one is still beautiful with a healthy yellow glow.

    Have a great Wednesday!

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  19. Jill KemererJuly 20, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Lacie: A cruise sounds delightful right now! No dishes, cute animals made from towels, and plenty of desserts!

    Cynthia: If only we lived closer. I would love a break with you at Starbucks right now!

    Erica: No Spongebob?? I'm impressed! It's hard to keep that lil' sea creature out of our house. :) And yay on the halfway mark!!

    Sewing Projects: Spongebob is a fave for most boys and girls. Your grandson will love him!

    Julie: Thanks again for being my guest! I'm even drinking a huge glass of water right now. All because of you... :)

    Jessica: I'm sure you are ready for a new project! It won't be long! And snakes?? Aaack! Mice? Double Aaack! You're my hero!

    Kara: Ooo, the delicious feeling of starting a new project. Enjoy!!

    Em: Aw, thanks!!

    Keli: I agree. Lemons make water taste better. And I draw the line at snakes too!!

    Jessica P: Same here! I'll do the water, but no way on the reptiles!

    Loree: Who knew they could live that long? But I'm glad your daughter and Jonny bonded--sweet!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  20. Julie MusilJuly 20, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    Em, thanks for the visit!

    Keli, maybe I should have drawn the line at reptiles. *weak mommy*

    Jessica, LOL! If one of them escapes, it might have to "disappear"

    Loree, I will tell my sons about your daughter's leopard gecko. They'll be happy to learn about Jonny's long life span!

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  21. Lisa Gail GreenJuly 20, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Yay!! You couldn't have featured a better writer or person. I'm grateful every day that Julie is my friend. :D And the weirdest thing? I'm LISTENING TO SPONGEBOB TOO. *shudders*

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  22. Kristina KnightJuly 20, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Revisions, revisions, revisions for me...and trying to kick the soda habit. :)

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  23. Mary CurryJuly 20, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Drinking my water as I read this. I love reading your answers, Julie. Congrats on the agent. I think I missed this news while I was off playing teacher. ;)

    My kids were grown before Spongebob happened along. Feel like I'm missing out here.

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  24. Julie MusilJuly 20, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Lisa, I feel the same way about you! And the Spongebob thing? Spooky.

    Kristina, good luck with those revisions AND the soda habit :D

    Mary, thank you! About Spongebob, maybe it's a good thing you missed him.

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  25. Heather SunseriJuly 20, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Oh, Julie, I need some inspiration to drink more water. It's so nice to read more about you.

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  26. Jill KemererJuly 20, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    Lisa: Ha! You turn Nickelodean on just for ambience, don't you? Hmm? :)

    Kristina: Go get those revisions!! And I will always be trying to kick the soda habit. :)

    MaryC: I enjoyed Spongebob for years, but I don't think you're missing anything!

    Heather: I'm with you on the water. I've been bad this summer!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  27. Julie MusilJuly 21, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    Heather, thanks. I enjoy Jill's posts with other writers. It really is fun to get to know each other better!

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  28. UnknownJuly 21, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Awesome to see you here Julie! Another great interview Jill.

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  29. Jaime WrightJuly 21, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    JULIE!! you inspired a deep thirst in me for ... coffee. yeah, the water thing just doesn't kick it for me :) :)
    Great interview - I'll you both on Twitter :)

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  30. Linda GlazJuly 21, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Yeah, so important to keep hydrating.

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  31. Joanna Clark DawydJuly 21, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Water is wonderful! I started drinking 3 litres of water per day back in May. It's not as hard as you'd think!

    My work-in-progress is fully plotted, and I've got about 2500 words written. Gotta get a move on! But my daughter doesn't nap anymore, so it's hard to find time to sit long enough to concentrate. I'd like to have the first draft done by the end of the year, or at least a significant portion of it

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  32. Jill KemererJuly 21, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    PW: Thanks!!

    Jaime: Ha! I have that same thirst. Did I mention I ran out of cream this week?? Nightmare!!

    Linda: It is. I'm nursing a ginormous glass of ice water as we speak!

    Joanna: Wow! Great habit to start! And that's great about your WIP. I know how hard it is to write with little ones. Try to be patient and hang in there!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  33. Hilary Melton-ButcherJuly 22, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Hi Jill and Julie - great entertaining interview .. small boys - what fun & delights .. and snails and puppy dog tails .. probably tales in their cases!

    The sound of a Caribbean Cruise sounds rather good .. and one I'd love to do sometime ..

    Good luck with the books, the summer holidays and family time - cheers Hilary

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  34. Julie MusilJuly 22, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    PW--thanks! I'll see ya on Twitter :D

    Jaime, I laughed out loud when I read your comment. Enjoy the coffee!

    Linda, so true. I get thirsty just thinking about not having a water bottle nearby.

    Joanna, I didn't take writing seriously until my boys were in school. I admire writers like you who are getting the work done, despite having little ones at home. Good luck!

    Hilary, it's like you can see inside my house! Snails, puppy dog tails, AND tales! Have a great weekend.

    Jill, thanks again for hosting me. It was such fun!

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