Julia Sutton is a multi-genre author with a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing.

Please, introduce yourself. Tell us about your personal life, family, education.

Hello, my name is Julia Sutton. I’m 51 years old and live in the city of Wolverhampton, which is in the West Midlands of England, with my husband and cute border collie dog. I have two grown-up children who have both recently left home.

I have had a variety of jobs, I started as a shop assistant when I was 16 years old and then progressed to a secretary for a team of engineers. In 2001 I went to university to study for an English degree and afterwards secured a position as a teaching assistant working with young children. I worked in primary education for 16 years until I retired to focus on writing. For the past two years I have been studying for a Master’s in Creative Writing and have recently heard that I have passed the course – yippee!

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I love reading, getting outside in the fresh air and walking with my dog. I love drawing and painting, anything arty. I spend a lot of time visiting and helping my elderly parents too, family is very important to me. I like going out with my husband and friends – to the pub and for nice meals. I also love travelling.

If you are a writer, are you an avid reader?

Yes, I’ve always loved reading, since a young child and spend at least an hour or 2 a day now reading. I would much rather read than watch TV. I’ll read anything: classics, thrillers, horror, fantasy, but my favourite genre is romance.

What is your ultimate writing goal as you see it today?

My ultimate writing goal is to sign with a literary agent and have my books published with a traditional UK publisher.

First Book Inspiration

What inspired you to write your first book?

I had always loved writing since I was a young child but had never had the time or chance to write a novel, but then in 2009 I was training to be a primary school teacher when I was taken ill and had to defer the course. While I was recuperating, I had an idea for a romantic mystery and tentatively started writing it. Twelve months later I had completed the first draft of The Lake of Lilies which has subsequently been published with Next Chapter.

How do you decide on the title of a book?

The title is usually one of the first things I think of when I have an idea for a book. Everything else then is planned around it. To me the title is one of the most important aspects of creating a novel and it is important to get it right. When I’m working on a first draft, I always have a working title, but sometimes this changes as the book progresses.

Have you developed a specific writing style and why?

I don’t really have a specific writing style but I do love writing dialogue and there is quite a lot of speech in my novels. I also love playing around with literary devices such as similes which I feel make my writing more colourful and interesting.

How much of your books is realistic and experiences based on someone you know, or events in your life?

A lot of my writing can definitely be described as writing about what you know. My four book School of Dreams series was based on my own experience of attending university. My summer rom-com is set in my favourite holiday destination of Majorca and my mental health book is drawn from my own mental health experiences.

Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

My favourite writer is a UK born author called Milly Johnson. She really knows how to spin a yarn and her books are brilliant. My favourite novel of hers is The Birds and the Bees which is a romantic comedy and is so funny. As well as being a fabulous writer – Milly comes across as a really lovely, down-to-earth person too.

First Book Read

Do you remember the first book you read?

Sorry I don’t remember the first book I read, that’s way too long ago, but I did love Enid Blyton as a young child and the Nancy Drew books and Sweet Valley High series as I got older.

Is there an author, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

I would love to meet Milly Johnson and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake with her. She just comes across as so lovely, down to earth and funny and I think she’s an inspiring author.

If you could not write, how would you express what you wish to convey through any stories?

If I couldn’t write I think I’d maybe want to express myself through drawing, as that’s another creative activity which I really enjoy.

When you see new authors struggling, what single piece of advice could you give them on a moment’s notice?

Don’t give up – keep writing and if you want success hard enough, then you CAN do it.

How do you want others to see you or remember you? Is it important to you?

I’d like to be remembered for being a kind and positive person. There’s so much negativity and hate in this world, so just being a nice person is really important to me.

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