Q.1) Hi, Julie! Thanks for letting me interview you for our mailing group P.A.T.H. Tell me a little about you. Who you are? What do you do for a living besides writing novels? Do you have hobbies or any interests that you want to you share with us?

Well, as you know, my name is Julie Brady. I like your second question. It almost sounds like you are assuming I write for a living. I wish! I'm actually a full time secretary for the Dep. of Defense. I work on a Naval Base here in Southern Maryland. It's probably the worst career choice I could have made...but, it's a living! As for my hobbies, I have MANY interests. Way too many to list (I'd hate to bore anyone). But here are a few: I adore horses and love to work with and train them. I own two of them and I collect model horses. I love most all animals. I have three cats, two dogs and some cichlids (fish). I live on a small farm, where there are cows, foxes, rabbits, quail, eagles, swans, deer, etc.. I also love to garden, draw/paint, surf the web and chat. My favorite TV shows are The Simpsons (and now Futurama), South Park, The Ex Files, and Ally McBeal. I also love all kinds of Music, from Bach to Butthole Surfers (a wide range). Those are just a few of the things I enjoy.

Q.2) Tell me how did you get the idea for your novel? How did you get Piers to collaborate with you? How do you compare your writing style to Piers?

I never really got the idea to write a novel. What I did was keep a journal of my nightly dreams, which were serial in nature for the course of a year or so. I did this just for my own information, and toyed with turning it into a book, which I never intended to publish. I didn't get Piers to collaborate with me, it was more the other way round. He showed an interest in seeing the "book" I had written. So I sent it to him, and it just went from there. I think that my writing style and his have some similarities. They'd have to considering that he is my favorite author and some of my writing style was inspired by him. But Piers has been writing MUCH longer than I have, and has had more time to develop the unique style that us fans love so much. I think it takes time to develop that.

Q.3) Tell me a little more about the story line of Dream a Little Dream, how did you come about that story? Do you have any inspiration when thinking about this story?

Like I said, the book was taken from a serial dream of mine. It was like watching a TV series at night, and I just wrote down what happened. I edited it a lot later on, because some of it was just so far fetched, but what I ended up with turned out to be an interesting story. But even with the story finished, I still never even thought to get it published. It was just something for me to keep for my old age. There really was no inspirations I used, other than my own dreams. I did use some things from my own life experiences and beefed them up a bit for the story. I think all writers use their own life (in one way or another) as a rough basis for all their writing.

Q.4) ) Is there someone that has inspired you as a writer or as a person?

Yes. Piers Anthony. As a person, he's a wonderful humanitarian and a great man. He's very honest and very giving and honorable. He's also got a great sense of humor and a wonderful perspective on life. As a writer, his imagination is boundless and his ability to form perfect pictures in the mind of the reader are second to none. I strive to attain that in my own writing.

Q.5) As a Piers fan, what do you more admire about him? Which of his books have influenced you?

I think I answered this question above! As for his books, the top of my list is Dragon on a Pedestal, which is my very favorite (but I adore them all!). I love that the book is written from the perspective of a 3 year old child (Princess Ivy). It is so funny and innocent. But on a whole, I do think his Mode series influenced my own writing the most.

Q.6) I read Piers's report in his newsletter at HI Piers, about the signing of your novel at Virginia, and I was really curious about what you call, Lucid Dreaming, can you elaborate for us about this? It sounds really interesting. I think we all like to dream, so something like lucid dreaming has a wonderful allure to me.

I could elaborate on this for hours! But since this is an interview, I'll keep it quick. Lucid dreaming is where you are dreaming and know that you are, so are able to effect the dream in some way. For instance, if you are being chased by a big terrifying dragon who's trying to drink your blood and crunch your bones, you could perhaps, make a big T-bone steak appear in your hand and use it to make friends with the dragon. Lucid dreaming is like any other skill. It takes a lot of practice, but once you can do it, you can create a lot of wonderful things and go to incredible places in your own dreams. It's a GREAT stress reliever! But, as with anything in life, too much of it can be harmful. If we were able to control 100% of our dreams 100%of the time, I think we would lose out on a lot of what our dreams have to teach us. Besides, sometimes it is much more fun to just sit back and watch the dream unfold and take you to some unexpected adventure. Personally, I only use my lucid abilities to stave off a fearful image in a nightmare. I can't say I've ever had a nightmare since I was 7 years old.

Q.7) How has been the response so far to your novel by readers?

By readers it's been wonderful. I have yet to hear one poor comment. If the reviews left by readers on amazon.com is any indication, then the book is a hit. However, I'm sure the critics have other opinions. I did read a rather poor one somewhere where they said the book had cardboard characters and lacked the wonderful Xanth puns. That just goes to show you how ignorant some critics are... of course my novel lacked the puns of Xanth...it was not a Xanth novel. In any case, that's just a small example of the business. And I can now see why Piers compares the Cri-Tics to those blood-sucking arachnids.

Q.8) Tell me, how was your experience publishing the novel? Would you do it again?

I hated it. The process was very frustrating and it really opened my eyes. I am a very honest person, and believe in honesty and putting people above money. Publishers do not have those morals, and I cannot stand people who lack them. It is that very reason I have been adamant about not publishing another. But, I suppose it depends on how well the book sells once it hits the mass market in paperback. I will write another, but it remains to be seen if I will opt for publishing it or not.

Q.9) Finally, what will be your advice for hopeful writers out there?

I really don't have any advice. Well, I guess the best thing I could say is that if you really love to write and really want to be a writer and make a living from it... get yourself a GOOD literary agent and NEVER give up or get discouraged. But, you really have to LOVE writing, as Piers does. Someone like him, who eats, sleeps, showers and breathes writing is bound to make it. I love to write, but I don't love it enough to put up with all the garbage that goes along with it.

Q.10) Additional Question from Roberta Hill

I'm working in a career learning center at the moment, and if it's not inappropriate, I have one more question for Julie. She mentioned that her career choice as a secretary at the dept of defense was probably the worst career choice she could make. If she could do anything at all (knowing what she now knows about the publishing business), what would she do? (Please note, I'm assuming training/education is readily available...this is her total dream job/career.)

From: Julie

I'd have trouble picking THE job for me. But it would definately involve working with animals in some way, perhaps to breed and raise horses, or maybe be an ichtheologist and study fish and fish-like creatures.

I would not choose to be a writer. I enjoy writing, but I do not like all the baggage that comes with it. (And no, education is not readily available to me)

Julie

Note from the Editor:

In a recent email, Julie informed me that "I've since quit my government job in Southern Maryland and now work for a company called onlinesuppliers.com as a graphic designer. I'm attending Northern VA Community College working toward my BA in fine art." As they say: Dreams can come true. Good Luck, Julie!

This Interview is copyrighted by Marisol Ramos © 1999.

This interview was done through email in March 31, 1999. You need the permission of PATH manager, Marisol, to use part of this interview for your website or any other medium. To ask permission just e-mail Marisol at marisol@ piersthread.com . Thanks, MR.

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