Julia Roberts Author

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The Season of Goodwill

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just two weeks away, but in celebration I have a bumper ‘Christmas Giveaway’ later in this blog and it’s also my first blog in December, so I will be introducing you to a new author on Between the Lines.

All that is coming up but first, following up on the ‘real or faux’ Christmas tree question and my decision to have both this year, I thought I’d share some pictures. Our decorations have gone up slightly earlier than usual because I have to have my second cataract surgery this coming Tuesday and I wanted to be in a nice calm frame of mind rather than rushing to get things done at the last minute as I usually do.

So, this is the fake tree in the daylight. I’m not advertising when I say I did buy this from QVC. We do a lot of ‘faux’ trees and of course we are all looking for different things, but I wasn’t going for the ‘real’ look, I just wanted it to be beautiful and I think this one, by designer Julien MacDonald fits the bill perfectly. I was going to stick to the addition of only baubles, but my husband, Chris started draping tinsel and I liked the way it looked.

One of the things I dislike the most about dressing and then undressing the tree is the lights. They are fiddly and sometimes play tricks on you. When they are in the box and you plug them in to make sure they are working, they happily light up… on the tree a few minutes later, they stubbornly refuse. No such worries with this tree because it is pre-lit and there are hundreds of twinkling lights. Above is the white light option and below is the coloured light option and you can also have them on different settings for twinkling and fading etc. I’m very pleased with our first ever fake tree.

That said, how cute is this?

We bought this rooted tree a few weeks ago from our local garden centre and it finally came in from the cold on Tuesday. Again, Chris played a big role in the decorations something he hasn’t really been involved in while we’ve had one or other of our children living at home. To be honest, although he moaned a bit towards the end, I think he enjoyed it. The hope is that we will plant this little tree out and bring it in annually – I wonder how long it will take to reach seven feet, the size of the fake tree?

So, our home is looking very festive but I’m acutely aware that not everyone enjoys this time of year as much as we do. Last year, we did a reverse advent calendar in November but with everything going on with my health it completely slipped my mind until halfway through the month after my follow-up appointment with my neurosurgeon. We could have ‘fudged’ it, but I enjoy adding things to the box and writing on the outside what has been added, so we opted to do a December one instead – just like a traditional advent calendar but giving instead of receiving. We’ll drop it off at a local foodbank on Christmas Eve and even if the contents don’t get delivered before Christmas there are some staples that will stop people from going hungry.

Talking about giving, I promised you a bumper Christmas giveaway on this blog and it could be yours. For the chance to win Hotel Chocolat chocolates, Molton Brown shower gels and a signed copy of all three of my ‘standalone’ novels (ie the ones that are not a trilogy or a series), The Woman on the Beach, My Mother’s Secret and Alice in Theatreland, there is a simple question about one of my favourite Christmas songs.

Who sings Fairytale of New York? Is it:

  1. The Rogues
  2. The Vogues
  3. The Pogues

Leave your answer in a comment at the bottom of this blog before midnight on December 23rd and the winner will be randomly selected then announced in my Christmas Eve blog (sorry UK only). By the way, the Santa lamp is not included. He was a QVC purchase from around twenty-five years ago and he is still going strong… that will definitely have jinxed him!

If you’re still not feeling festive, can I point you in the direction of my first Christmas Novella, Christmas at Carol’s. It’s only around 20,000 words so a short read and I’ll always remember an early reviewer who said it should be read every Christmas. More recently, JL said in their review, ‘a lovely heart-warming story Christmas story. Thoroughly enjoyed it.’

But if you are after a full-length Christmas read, let me introduce you to Erin Green my featured author this month on Between the Lines. We first met at a writing retreat in March 2017 when I was busy working on Alice in Theatreland funnily enough. As a result of the chapters Erin had submitted for critique at that writing retreat, she was signed to a publisher and is now a well-established best-selling author with her latest book, from Shetland with love at Christmas having a distinctly festive feel.

Take it away Erin.

 

Q & A session with Erin Green

Posted on Dec10th 2021

Actor headshot photography

1. What was your first job after leaving full-time education?

From the age of 18 to 21, I worked for NatWest bank in Tamworth as a bank clerk. It was a job my parents encouraged me to go after as I had no true direction career wise. I came from a very traditional family so a career wasn’t something that was encouraged, to be fair. I enjoyed my time at the bank, but they started to set quotas of ‘ask every third person about life insurance or mortgage advise’ and I didn’t enjoy that aspect. I met lots of lovely people and probably draw on the descriptions of many observed features for my own characters. I use this particular bank role in my book ‘New Beginnings At Rose Cottage’. 


2. Who was your first crush – real life or famous?

George Michael – from 1982 until his untimely death in 2016!

 
3. What was your first piece of creative writing outside of school/college/uni?

I re-took a GCSE English Language course back in 2003, purely for enjoyment. I’d been writing in secret at home for years prior to this, but this was the first time I ever allowed anyone to read what I had written. I could hardly refuse she was the tutor! Anyway, she awarded me an ‘A’ grade for that piece so that was a nice boost to my confidence. After I secured an ‘A*’ grade in the final exam, I joined a local writers’ group and so began my journey towards publication with sharing me writing.

4. Do you have a favourite tipple, alcoholic or otherwise?

I am a tea monster by day. I sometime make two mugs at a time as it saves my legs dashing back and forth between my writing room and the kitchen. At night, I like a cheeky gin & tonic or a glass of vino!


5. Are you a cat or dog person?

I’m both. I’ve had cats for 25 years since moving from my parents’ home, and ten years ago I got my first dog, a miniature poodle called Teddy. He’s my official writing buddy, though he does very little other than sleep but he drags me away from my desk for regular exercise.

I guess I admire the qualities of cats, but dogs are adorable.  

 
6. What is your favourite TV show or series from the past twelve months?

I’m currently enjoying a ten-part series ‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’ which is focusing upon Monica Lewinsky’s affair with Bill Clinton. I read her ‘very honest’ autobiography a while back and it was fascinating to see how the jigsaw pieces of politics and human nature mesh together and nearly brought down the president. 


7. Do you have a favourite holiday destination or special memorable holiday?

As a child, I used to wonder what the islands at the top of the weather map were called. On realising it was ‘Shetland’ it became a bucket list destination for me. In April 2019, I eventually booked a holiday and disappeared for a fabulous time. After a day, I knew that I’d be setting a book there. It seems to be a popular location for the murder genre but not women’s contemporary fiction, but I wasn’t fazed. On the train home from Edinburgh, I opened my laptop and began to write and that manuscript became my book ‘FROM SHETLAND WITH LOVE’. This book has become a four-book series with ‘FROM SHETLAND WITH LOVE AT CHRISTMAS’ being published in September 2021 and two more titles to be published in 2022. Personally, I think they should be read in order, but readers tell me they’ve understand perfectly well out of order.

 
8. Do you like to read in the same genre as you write?

I read every day, it is a habit from my childhood. When working on a draft one, I tend to read books published a few years ago or the classics. I find it comforting to not have anything of the genre in which I write, in case a detail, name or plot event lingers in my brain and finds its way into my work. Once I’m at the editing stage, I’ll happily read current fiction as there’s no fear I know my books own story by that point. I tend to switch authors and genre after each reading book, so I don’t get stuck in a reading rut. I also do reading challenges to broaden my range of reading and introduce authors I’ve never read before.


9. How do you deal with negative reviews?

I tell myself everyone has the right to an honest opinion of my work. No one has ever written the perfect book, painted the perfect picture or sculpted the perfect statue which we all adore and love. If Shakespeare, Monet and Rodin can’t do they why am I expecting little old me to be liked and enjoyed by every reader. I also think that the one star reviews make the five and four star reviews more real!


10. Cast your mind back to when you were thirteen and complete the following sentence:

When I grow up I want to be… an author. I secretly wanted to be an author all my life, but would never have said it aloud as it sounds so pretentious. My family had very traditional views on the roles of females and I knew that ‘dreams’ such as that wasn’t encouraged.

A big thank you to Erin Green for being my author guest featuring on Between the Lines. I’ve never been to Shetland, but my nephew, Deryk lives on Fairisle where he used to run the bird observatory and also work on the boat between Fairisle and Shetland. His children were all educated on Shetland from the age of eleven where they had to board away from home. In fact, Deryk and his family featured heavily on a BBC documentary about the Fairisle community and way of life. Erin has whet my appetite to go and visit!

I wish Erin continued success with her new novel, from Shetland with love at Christmas.

Julia x

from Shetland with love at Christmas

Available on Amazon

Verity is embarking on a better-late-than-never gap year now that her sons have flown the nest, and dreams of turning a lifetime’s hobby of knitting and crocheting into a profitable new enterprise at Lerwick Manor’s gallery. 

Nessie has returned to Shetland after two years spent retraining as a blacksmith on the Scottish mainland. She’s determined to do whatever it takes to reignite the traditional craft and prove that gender is no obstacle to taking on her family’s heritage. 

Isla is fresh out of catering college, but she is desperate to prove she has what it takes to run Lerwick Manor’s artisan café. Focused on perfecting her grandmother’s traditional recipes, Isla has no time for anything else – especially not her pesky ex.

With the island’s Yule Day celebration fast approaching, it’s the ideal moment for their crafts to shine. But they can’t do it alone – and their friendship might turn out to be their greatest creation yet…

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  22. The answer is: 3. The Pogues.

    Thanks for the blog update and the chance to win this wonderful prize. I always enjoy reading your latest news and I think your Christmas trees look absolutely fab!

    Reply

  25. The answers is the Pogues, both your trees look fab, I like the uncoloured lights best on your faux tree, it looks absolutely beautiful. Happy Christmas to you and your family and good luck with your op this week, xx

    Reply

  31. Loved the Christmas at Carol’s books. Hoping for another one next year. Have a lovely Christmas and a speedy recovery from your op. X
    3) The Pogues

    Reply

  37. The trees look beautiful Julia, very festive.

    The answer to the question is
    THE POGUES.

    Merry Christmas everyone ❤

    Reply

  45. Hi Julia, good luck for tomorrow, hope the op goes well. The answer is 3. The Pogues. Take care of yourself and Happy Christmas to you and the family.

    Reply

  48. The answer is 3 The Pouges.
    Your trees look beautiful. I hope your cataract operation goes well.
    I am laid up with a broken ankle just what I need for Christmas !

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    X

    Reply

  52. Hi its 3 The Pogues hooe you are OK with your op I had my cataracts done 2 years ago brilliant to see without glasses just use reading glasses

    Reply

  70. The Pogues sing Fairytale of New York.

    Happy Christmas to everyone at QVC and thank you for being so helpful in these difficult time

    Reply

  74. The Pogues sing “Fairytale of New York”.

    Merry Christmas Julia and family. 🎄 🎁🎄❄️🍾🥂🎄🎁

    Reply

  76. Answer: The Pogues

    Wishing you all the very best for tomorrow Julia and wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!

    Reply

  81. The answer is The Pogues

    Hi Julia,
    Thank you for a lovely Christmas newsletter. You have been through the mill with health issues recently, but I hope the next operation is a success and you have sparkling vision as well as a sparkle in your eyes! Good luck, may it all work out for you.
    Wishing you the best for a lovely bright and shiny Christmas Day, with lots of sparkle!
    Hazelx

    Reply

  84. 3. The Pogues

    Always love the updates Julia, the trees look lovely! Hope all goes well with the cataract op and you are well recovered to enjoy a well earned Christmas break with your family! Festive wishes to you all x

    Reply

  86. 3. The Pogues. Julia, good luck with your cataract op and all goes well with your recovery, also I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.

    Reply

  90. Hi Julia,
    Wishing you a speedy recovery.
    The answer is:-

    The Pogues

    Looking forward to having you back on QVC

    Reply

  92. Hi Julia all the best for your procedure Christmas trees look lovely, the answer is The Pogues. Have a lovely Christmas.

    Reply

  94. The answer is The Pogues Julia .
    Wishing you good luck with your operation hope all goes well for you Hope you have a lovely Christmas xx

    Reply

  99. Wishing you all the best Julia for your eye operation I’m sure it will be a total success.The answer to your competition is The Pogues.Wishing you and your family a peaceful Christmas full of love joy and happiness and wishing you all a wonderful New Year xxx

    Reply

  100. The answer is The Pouges.
    Merry Christmas everyone xx🎄🎅
    Hope all goes well with the operation Julia and you are on the mend soon xx 😘❤

    Reply

  101. The Pogues … what a great prize to win . Your trees look lovely , hope your operation goes well I wish you a speedy recovery and a happy Christmas 🎅 xx

    Reply

  109. Ho ho ho Happy Christmas 🎅🏻

    What a great blog,🎄 tree looks beautiful.🎄

    My answer is The Pogues🥁🔔🔔

    Reply

  117. Number 3 …..The Pogues…..
    I Would Like to Take This Opportunity To Wish You And Your Family A Very Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄☃️🎁 With
    Love And Best Wishes For A Happy And Healthy New Year.❤ Love Lynn .X

    Reply

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