Interview with Jude Liebermann

Have you ever had a dream? Jude Liebermann was 13 when she read and 18 when she wrote her first romance novel. Still an avid reader, she enjoys anything from romances to horror and science-fiction/fantasy, and her own books have pretty much the same range. For two decades now, Jude has dreamt of becoming a published author. Well, that dream only became a reality after spending her own money to self-publish her books. You can read about them by visiting her site at http://www.judesplace.com.

Her first novel, Formerly Brandewyne is currently being offered for free to read online (or you can get the paperback for just the cost of shipping!) as well as a few of her earlier stories (visit her forum to read more about them.) A few years ago, she was inspired to write her first fanfiction, which led to several more. The first one is based on the character of Legolas from Lord of the Rings and the others were inspired by Orlando Bloom's movies, so be sure to check those out at her Orlando Bloom page! Jude’s next project in the works is her first trilogy. The first two are available for purchase and the third is now being edited. She’s really excited about these stories, which have the title of A Modern Myth. Nada’s Secret and Grady’s Return are both for sale through lulu.com.

What inspired you to become a writer?
I CAN’T REMEMBER A TIME WHEN I DIDN’T WRITE. I WAS A VERY IMAGINATIVE CHILD AND CAN REMEMBER WRITING MY OWN VERSION OF A NANCY DREW MYSTERY WHEN I WAS ABOUT 5. HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT. WISH MY MOTHER HAD KEPT IT, SINCE IT WOULD BE A HOOT TO SEE HOW HORRIBLE IT WAS! STORIES HAVE ALWAYS JUST COME TO ME, SO IT WAS ONLY NATURAL TO START WRITING THEM DOWN.

How long have you been a writer?
WELL, EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST 5 YEARS, ALL MY LIFE

Please tell us about your book(s).
MY FIRST ROMANCE NOVEL WAS BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCES. IF SOMETHING IN MY LIFE DIDN’T TURN OUT THE WAY I WANTED IT TO, I WOULD CREATE AN ALTERNATE ENDING IN A STORY. THAT HELPED FUEL THE REST OF MY BOOKS, WHICH NOW HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ME. THE BOOK I’M CURRENTLY WRITING IS ABOUT A 21ST CENTURY WOMAN WHO IS TRANSPORTED TO 1935 BY TOUCHING AN OLD PORTRAIT. I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS STORY AND PLAN ON IT BEING MY NEXT PUBLISHED NOVEL.

What inspired the story/stories?
SOMETIMES WHEN I WRITE, I FEEL AS IF I’M MORE POSSESSED THAN INSPIRED…LIKE A REAL MUSE IS WHISPERING INTO MY EAR AND TYPING THROUGH ME. ACTUALLY, THAT IS A GREAT FEELING.

Which comes first for you…plot or characters?
DEFINITELY THE PLOT…THE CHARACTERS SORT OF FIND THEIR OWN WAY AND THE STORY PROGRESSES.

What is your favorite part of being a writer? Least favorite?
WHEN THAT FIRST INKLING OF A NEW STORY STRIKES AND I’M ABLE TO START IT AND KEEP IT GOING IS MY FAVORITE PART. THE WORST PART? WRITER’S BLOCK. I ACTUALLY SUFFERED FROM THAT FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND IT WAS TERRIBLE. SINCE THEN, I’VE BEEN WORKING ON 2 DIFFERENT STORIES! SO MUCH BETTER…THE OTHER LEAST FAVORITE ASPECT IS HOW HARD IT IS TO GET PROFESSIONALLY PUBLISHED, BUT THEN I HAVE SO MUCH MORE CONTROL OVER MY STORIES THIS WAY.

How did you decide to self-publish your work? What did self-publishing involve?
I TRIED FOR ABOUT A DECADE TO GET PROFESSIONALLY PUBLISHED BEFORE I DECIDED THAT IT WAS POINTLESS…MANY FAMOUS NOVELISTS HAD TO GET STARTED BY SELF-PUBLISHING, AND IT IS A LOT EASIER NOW THAN IT WAS WHEN I FIRST GOT STARTED. THERE ARE SO MANY VENUES AVAILABLE NOW THAT ARE SO REMARKABLE. I HAD TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY WHEN I STARTED IN 1997…NOW THERE IS LULU.COM, WHICH IS INCREDIBLE!! I CAN’T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THAT COMPANY. SELF-PUBLISHING ISN’T EASY THOUGH. YOU HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OF EVERYTHING, WHICH INCLUDES EDITING, TYPESETTING AND OF COURSE ADVERTISING. THANK GOODNESS FOR THE INTERNET, OR IT WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE AT ALL! I’M MAKING A NAME FOR MYSELF WITH MY SITE, MY FORUM, AND NOW HOPEFULLY MYSPACE. HOPEFULLY SOMEDAY I CAN JOIN THE PROFESSIONALLY PUBLISHED ELITE.

What do you hope readers get out of your work?
I HOPE IT MAKES THEM LAUGH AND CRY AND THINK. I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO ESCAPE INTO THE STORY. WHEN I’M TOLD THAT SOMEONE COULDN’T PUT MY BOOK DOWN ONCE THEY STARTED IT, THAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT THEY COULD GIVE ME!

What would you like to tell aspiring writers?
DON’T EVER STOP WRITING. EVEN IF YOU THINK YOUR STORY IS TERRIBLE, KEEP TRYING. YOU WILL GET BETTER WITH EVERY ATTEMPT


For fun:
Describe yourself in 3 words.
LOYAL TRUSTWORTHY DILIGENT

How do you relax?
I WORK ON MY FORUM OR WATCH TV OR I WRITE

What do you like to read?
I LOVE TERESA MEDIEROS’ NOVELS.

What is your favorite book of all time?
OOH TOUGH ONE. I DON’T THINK I HAVE ONE OF THOSE. THE FIRST ONE THAT JUMPED TO MIND WAS “THE GREEN MILE” BY STEPHEN KING…DON’T EVEN KNOW WHY…MAYBE CAUSE IT MADE ME CRY MY EYES OUT.

If you could save one book from destruction, what would it be?
MY TRILOGY…HMMM, ANOTHER TOUGH ONE.

If you had a time capsule to be opened 50 years in the future, what would you put in it?
A CD OF ALL MY BOOKS

Thank you Jude for a great interview!

You can check out Jude’s work at her site: http://www.judesplace.com/