Juliana is a Brazilian girl living in Connecticut.
She would love to be Wonder Woman, Cheetara, Elektra, Buffy, Phoebe, She-ra, Rose, Korra, Cornelia, a blood elf shadow priest, and other various kick-ass female from comics, TV series, movies, books and games, but she settles for—the less exciting but equally gratifying life—a wife, mother, friend and a writer. Her heroines are like the ones cited above and she also writes about the heroes who drive them crazy—and occasionally hot.
Since her first stories, she wrote about 20-something year old protagonists. Nowadays, besides writing full time, she battles for the recognition of New Adult as a category.
Interview:
Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?
It depends. For this book, I had a vague idea. I came up with the characters and their conflicts, and let the rest flow.
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
I start with a flexible plot and let the characters take me where they want. If they stir too far away from what I first envisioned, I try bringing them back. If they resist, it’s because their way might be better than mine ;)
What is your favourite food?
Anything with chocolate. Well, that’s not true. I’m very picky, even with chocolate. For meals, gnocchi, without a doubt.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I was a night owl, but after having a kid, I became a morning person. My girl wakes up very early in the morning and if I stay up until late at night, I’ll pay the price.
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
All over the world ;) But the place I want to go the most is Egypt. I loved everything about Egypt since I was a kid and even my first manuscript (which will never see the light of the day again) was set in Ancient Egypt.
Do distant places feature in your books?
My February release features Flic-en-Flac, an exotic beach in South Africa—but only for one scene.
Do you listen to music while writing?
Oh, yes. Always. And I have different playlists according to the mood of the scene I’m writing. My father and my husband say that music is my battery. If you turn it off, I stop.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
Of course.Her Heart’s Secret Wish is actually my first book. It’s a short, sexy Christmas story. Natasha is the female Casanova at her university and she has her heart hidden. Until she meets Jason, a professor and a gaming nerd of all things. He turns her world upside down, and suddenly she doesn’t feel like the confident player anymore.
What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?
That everything takes a long time, more than you think it will. That everything is subjective. That you can’t and won’t please everyone out there.And that CPs and beta-readers are worth their weight in gold.
Is there anything you would do differently?
I wouldn’t have queried that first (awful) manuscript I ever wrote. It would have saved me time and embarrassment. But I learned. In this profession, we are always learning.
Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
Please don’t laugh, but I think Danielle Steel did. You see, my mother owned every one of Steel’s books, and I read them all when I was 10-12yo, I think. I devoured them. And, since I began writing at that age, I probably try to sound like her on my writing. Now I can say that my dream is to write like Richelle Mead and Jennifer Echols, so I guess they are the biggest influencers on me nowadays.
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
Learn the craft. Invest on some craft books and learn the rules. Only after you know them, you’ll be able to break some of them and still make them work.
What are three words that describe you?
Impatient. Stubborn. Happy.
What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?
Richelle Mead is my idol. I love the woman and all of her books.
Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book
Twenty-year-old college student, Natasha is the life of every party and the reason behind many celebrations. The easiest girl on campus has all guys at her feet and more than a few in her bed.
…until he came into the game…
Having entered the academic world by chance, Professor Jason Stone is surprised to find one of his young students a huge temptation. The infamous Natasha has caught his attention. But is there more to her than meets the eye?
…and changed the rules.
As their unexpected friendship grows, so does their attraction to each other. When Jason’s Christmas plans are canceled and he ends up at the same party as Natasha, sparks flare, destroying the safe zone around them. Will they figure out how to break through their self-imposed barriers to be together, or lose one another forever?
Any places readers cand find you on the web?
website | blog | twitter | facebook | goodreads | pininterest | na alley
Book Spotlight
by Juliana Haygert
Decadent Publishing
Release Date 12/12/2012
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Word count 13,000
Blurb:
With a renowned reputation as a player, she had everything figured out...
Twenty-year-old college student, Natasha is the life of every party and the reason behind many celebrations. The easiest girl on campus has all guys at her feet and more than a few in her bed.
…until he came into the game…
Having entered the academic world by chance, Professor Jason Stone is surprised to find one of his young students a huge temptation. The infamous Natasha has caught his attention. But is there more to her than meets the eye?
…and changed the rules.
As their unexpected friendship grows, so does their attraction to each other. When Jason’s Christmas plans are canceled and he ends up at the same party as Natasha, sparks flare, destroying the safe zone around them. Will they figure out how to break through their self-imposed barriers to be together, or lose one another forever?
Excerpt from Her Heart's Secret Wish
© 2012 Juliana Haygert
Her delicate brows knitted together. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be with your family?”
“Change of plans.” His tone was as harsh as his disappointment. “I had to stay and saw a few posters hanging around the school. Thought it was a better option than spending Christmas Eve alone.”
The corner of her lips curled up. “Definitely.”
Though he tried, he couldn’t ignore just how beautiful and vulnerable she appeared. Her long, brown hair fell around her porcelain face and into a smooth cascade down her back. Her usually energetic green eyes shone with relief instead. She wore red lipstick, which only made her mouth more inviting. The dress hugged her perfect curves, the hemline promising fun things on the other side.
Jesus.
Jason shook his head and shifted his gaze away. He’d probably caught her making plans for later, and he still wanted her? His mind was so messed up.
“You don’t seem so well. What is it?” She stepped closer and her spicy perfume taunted his will.
He held his breath for a moment and focused. “I’m good.” He smiled at her, transforming into his usual self. The laidback gaming nerd, and fun professor he brought out for his students.
“Come in.” She gestured to the living room. “The party is starting.”
Somewhere over the last six or seven months, when their conversations had become more profound and frequent, he had lost his mind. Six or seven months ago, he would never have crashed a student party so he could stare at one of them.
Helpless, he followed her.
Buy the book from decadent publishing | amazon | allromance ebooks
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16238589-her-heart-s-secret-wish
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Thank you, Juliana and good luck with your books :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, for having me over!
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