Interview with Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen is a fiction editor with a background in advertising. She has worked in Christian publishing for more than twelve years, in both marketing and editorial capacities. Lady of Milkweed Manor is her first novel. It has been nominated in the historical category of the 2008 Christy Awards. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She enjoys travel, research, books, BBC dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. She and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your writing, and your publishing journey.

My background is in advertising, but I am blessed with a dream job— working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor is my first novel. It has been an eye-opening experience to be on the other side of the desk—and on the receiving end of the red pen!

What is the greatest historical novel you’ve ever read and why?

I’m not sure about the greatest, but I’ve certainly been greatly influenced by The Secret Garden, Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice.

Did you have any experiences that prompted your love of fiction and historical fiction in particular?

My sixth grade teacher, Miss Hayes, read aloud Jane Eyre to us over several months, crying and ruining her mascara more than once. I am sure she is at least partly to “blame” for my love of 19th-century English literature.

How much time does it take to research your stories – what balance would you say there is between research and actual writing?

I love research (any excuse to buy books, really) and spend too many hours searching online sources as well. But there comes a point when I need to discipline myself to lay aside the research and do the harder work of actually writing.

Describe for us, if you will, your writing style, as in plotter vs. seat of the pants, and do you put more time into developing characters or plot or are they equal?

I didn't have a clear outline for my first novel, and while it was fun to discover where the story led, in the end (i.e. the “seat of the pants”), I no doubt wasted plenty of time. I have a detailed synopsis for my second book (I also have a deadline!)—but even so I have left myself room for changes and surprises in both plot and character.

Be sure to come back tomorrow to read part two of our interview. If you'd like to be entered to win a copy of Lady of Milkweed Manor, just leave a comment on any of this week's posts.