We would like to introduce you to another talented author: Julie Nisargand. Thanks Julie for taking the time out of your schedule to share with our members.
Julie Nisargand
At the end of the day we’ll have a random drawing including all of those who comment on the post. 2 Winners will receive a signed copy of Julie’s Book! Can’t think of anything to comment about? Tell us if you’ve ever had an experience similar to Christine Louis’ in “An Exaltation of Larks” where she loses her purse in Paris and has to survive or let us know if you’ve ever felt like a Wednesday Girl!
drumroll…….And the winners of the signed books are:
Cathy W. (Firefly) & Rodney R.
Thank you all for participating!
Julie’s Bio: Julie Nisargand is a native of Seattle Washington and a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Cinema & Television. After writing screenplays for a while, she changes her focus to her first novel, The Wednesday Girl. “One moment I was accepting accolades for my film at the Directors’ Guild, the next, I was peeling duct tape off the floor on the set of a Roger Corman movie. Working sixteen hours a day for $200 a week left me feeling” …Read more of what Julie has to say about writing “The Wednesday Girl” here. Her second novel, An Exaltation of Larks was published by Anima Books in 2004. An Exaltation of Larks is about a young lady who finds herself in Paris penniless and unable to speak French, struggling to survive.
How did you come up with the title “The Wednesday Girl“?
The title for “The Wednesday Girl” just happened to come out of the main character’s mouth when she was mad at the older guy she’s dating. He’s an artistic type who she admires for his mind and his worldliness, but he isn’t much of a scheduler. When a co-worker asks if she’s seeing her boyfriend on the weekend, she makes the mistake of saying that she’s never seen him on a weekend. He just comes over when it’s convenient. The way the co-worker looks at her makes her realize what a horrible mistake she’s made, allowing herself, because of low self-esteem at that point in her life, to be somebody’s “Wednesday Girl” instead of the main attraction on Saturday night!
What inspired you to write your second book, “An Exaltation of Larks“?
My second book was kind of like an “accidental pregnancy”. I took three weeks off from waiting tables in L.A. –what I was doing to make ends meet while trying to write after college—to go to Europe, Paris in particular. I didn’t even bring paper. I was working so hard on my writing that the only promise I made to myself was that I would go to Paris for three weeks and not write a thing. Just enjoy myself. Unfortunately, I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of Paris that I didn’t notice when someone stole my entire purse from my duffel bag before I even got to the hotel. Being alone in Paris, unable to speak the language and without a passport, credit card, traveler’s cheques, or single solitary piece of cash was so scary that as soon as I got my situation straightened out, I sat down in a café and was overcome with the desire to write. I couldn’t stop the story from spilling out so I used all the napkins on the table to start, then asked the waiter for more. That was the beginning of the second book.
What advice would you give upcoming authors?
My advice to writers who are just starting out—they can be any age because there is no particular age a writer has to be—is to write for free. In the film industry, they call it “writing on spec”, meaning the work hasn’t been commissioned. When you write for the pure fun of it (and pure risk), your own voice has a better chance of developing. It’s like painting anything you want versus doing a paint by numbers. Secondly, what you as an individual have to say is earthshatteringly important. No one else lives behind your eyes. If you don’t describe the view, no one will ever see it but you. Don’t be selfish! Share your life! Lastly, write often but don’t force discipline on yourself. Your writer is your best friend and probably doesn’t appreciate you being a demanding taskmaster. The writer part of you is a kid who likes to play and LOVES to talk, only the writer does his or her talking through, you guessed it, writing.
Tags: Authors
WOW – I can’t imagine being in a foreign country with NOTHING! Sounds like a story and glad the author made it through.
I loved her advise. I have been working on something of my own for some time, with breaks and stops and starts. But I keep going back to it; it’s just mine.
Loved her advice to writers-to-be. Especially the comment about age not being an issue. Will spend some time thinking on that possibility!
I will be sharing her advice to writers-to-be with my mom. Thank you for your insight! Can’t wait to read your books!
She sounds down-to-earth and her advice to writers is great.
Thanks for the advice to aspiring writers Julie! I love the story about Paris and the “accidental pregnancy” of your second book…
I look forward to adding her books to my reading list.
I’m interested in your choice to self-publish — and whether you promoted the book, or let word of mouth take care of promotion. Also by the comment about writing for yourself, for fun.
Hi, Ronalyn, Tina, Cheryl, Sheila, Marie, Sarah, Julie, and LeAnn:
Happy Monday to you all and thanks for your great comments! I’m blushing at work. I would love to communicate with you directly. My schedule gets busy, but if you write to Julie_Nisargand@hotmail.com, I will write back.
Have a wonderful day and put something on your page. Anything. Just one word to start and you count as a writer!
Julie Nisargand
Oh Julie, your books sound almost like the story of my life!! I remember being a “Wednesday girl” back in my late 20’s. Thank God I woke up and realized I deserved better! As to being lost in Paris without any wallet or anything and not speaking the language, that is scary! I was in Paris with my husband and daughter just 2 years ago and my husband, who could speak French, got separated from us. (Don’t ask, it’s a long story)! Anyway, my 11 year old daughter and I were on our own, at midnight, on the Champs-Elysees trying to get a cab back to our hotel. Neither of us could speak French and took a while to get across to the cabbie where we wanted to go. We were so scared in the cab, our first night in France, no cell phone, not sure if we would even get back to the hotel. As you can see, we did make it, so I am so looking forward to reading about your adventures!!
I don’t normally read contemporary story’s but Julie’s description a “Wednesday Girl” brought back memories of being a “Wednesday girl” myself in my early 20’s. Highly tempting to give her books a try.
What an adventurer. I admire your spunk and character.
The Wednesday Girl sounds like a great book. Thanks for posting on the blog. I am always looking for great new authors
Loved this! “Wednesday Girl” sounds like a book all young women going out into the world should read.
Thanks for taking the time for the interview. It’s always great to find out about books that I’m not familiar with. They sound worth a read!
What a great interview! I loved hearing your description of what the books are about. What cool insight! And thanks for the advice for aspiring writers. You made me remember it shouldn’t be a daunting task. Here’s to letting the words flow for the sake of letting them flow. I love the notion that my point of view is earthshattering. 🙂 I’m looking forward to reading your work, Julie!
That is a neat story. I have always wanted to write and felt maybe my time had passed…Well maybe not!
I will be looking forward to reading her books! Thanks for the interview! Very insightful!
The Wednesday Girl sounds like something i would really like. being a movie fanatic, i have to ask what screenplays you’ve written? 🙂
I am looking for new authors everyday. Wednesday Girl sounds like a great book! I too, have always wanted to right a book of my own. Maybe it isn’t too late.
I really enjoyed reading the author interview. What a great feature of PBS. Keep them coming.
I find myself spending more and more time on this site reading and discovering all the services available. I’ve recently gotten better at using the search abilities and finding books and new authors to try.
It’s hard to imagine my reading life WITHOUT PaperBackSwap!
Wow – I’m so glad that not only did you survive, but you were able to share your adventure by writing a story about it. I can’t wait to read the book.
I also love you that you said it was selfish not to share your unique view of the world with others.
How true – I always think no-one else would care what I see/think, but how do I know if I don’t share?
Bad enough to be in US and loose all ID but to be in another country. My first question would be how do I get home. Sounds like a great book.
Julie Nisargand <—it would be nice to discover the writings of an author that is new to me.. thanks
Thank you so much for the advice you offered to new authors! I think it is the motivation i needed right now with my current project. I cannot wait to read your newest book! It sounds like something I would enjoy. Good luck to you and take care….
Wednesday Girl certainly sounds like a book I’d enjoy reading. Consider it added to my wish list.
Write for free.
Great advice and the only way I think I’ll ever do it.
Plus, I have no self-discipline. 😛
Great interview!
Thanks for the great advice on writing. It’s something I’ve always thought about but never had the guts. Maybe now I’ll take the pressure off of myself and just have some fun with it!
Julie, I especially appreciate your advice to write at any age and about anything. We are all definitely unique with a one of a kind viewpoint and experiences. I look forward to reading your books.
Take care.
I look forward to reading your books and sharing them with my daughter. She is a writer and will love the advice to have fun with it!
Spot on with regard to Julie’s advice on not forcing ones art, but allowing it to flow freely from yourself. As a former proffessional artist I can only aggree that when it ceases to be fun, when it is forced and a chore instead of looked forward to as something enjoyable, you’re in danger of becoming an miserable hack who’ll never truly know your full potential.
I love that you just started to write a book while alone and broke in Paris. You have given me the push to move forward.
Thanks.
I think the hardest thing to do is to make a decision to ‘share your life’
with, essentially, strangers!
Funny, how the author literally started writing her second book on napkins at a cafe.
Thanks for introducing me to a new (to me) author! I’ve put her books on my Wish List now, and I’m looking forward to reading them. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be alone AND broke in a foreign country. I have been lost by myself in a foreign country (Japan) — where there are no street signs (which I wouldn’t have been able to translate anyway). I was younger (and more adventurous) then, but when I look back now, I can’t believe I did it. I can’t wait to read about her experience!
This is the first interview I have read, and I’m looking forward to more.
These books sound AMAZING to read,I have ALOT of friends who love to read and would LOVE to read these books! I have to let everyone know about them now…I cant wait to read them and let everyone know about them,some sound like part of my life in which I can relate to…
I think Wednesday Girl sounds pretty interesting and I might have to pick that up. As for being lost in Paris ? I can’t even imagine!!
think Wednesday Girl sounds pretty interesting . I will have to pick a copy up and read it
The book Wednesday Girl sounds like a great read! I’ll have to add it to my to be read pile 😉
Thank you for the great interview! I’ll be looking for this author’s books 😉
Sounds good to me excited to get it and read it
Thanks for sharing your “insights” and life experiences with us. I’m going to have my dd’s read them so we can talk (especially Wednesday Girl!). Thanks!
Great interview!! I can’t wait to read both books. I’ll be adding them to my lists.
Great interview! I really enjoyed the explanations of the books. I’ll be checking Julie Nisargand books out now. Thanks!
Sounds great!!
Wow! Great advice on not “being selfish” and “share your life” Very inspiring! I have always contemplated writing but have never gotten further then a little creative writing. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Hi, everybody:
Lunchtime in Los Angeles and I’m at the library checking out the blog. Best place to find the books is Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.com.
All your comments have made my year!
Julie
Wow – what an experience that trip to Paris must have been. How exciting….now that it is done, right? 🙂
Thanks for the ‘upcoming author’ tips. I don’t write much, but we’ve said for years that my DH is an author struggling to get out. He loves to write and people seem to love to read him. Little tips like yours will make his day.
Thanks for sharing!
An Exaltation of Larks sounds very interesting, thank you for sharing your writing, look forward to reading both books!
Thanks for sharing this interview. I really enjoyed it!
I have had a few times, while backpacking in Europe, where I got to my destination too late and lost my reservation and had to creativly find places to sleep because I couldn’t afford anything more than a hostel, but wow, I surely couldn’t imagine loosing everything. I thought I was scared when I couldn’t find a place to sleep….