Author Interview With Julie Arduini

Hey Folks! Today I'm honored to introduce to you Christian author and speaker, Julie Arduini.

Julie loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of the upcoming re-release, ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, as well as the sequel, ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past, set for a spring release. She also shared her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites readers to subscribe to her monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway opportunities at JULIE ARDUINI: SURRENDER ISSUES AND CHOCOLATE and the weekly e mail. SUNDAY’S SURRENDER AND CHOCOLATE.

Welcome, Julie! We're so glad you could visit us today.  What made you decide to become a writer?

It’s been a process. I was scribbling “stories” on paper before I could even write. It’s always been in me. As a student, I was never the best writer and was in fact discouraged by teachers to make writing my career. I played it safe and worked more with publicity, but the desire to write was always there. Once I became a mom, I started writing for my local Mothers of Preschoolers newsletter. I loved it and would have been happy to do that as long as they would let me. I felt a nudge that I believe was God sent to surrender that writing project and trust Him to write for Him, no matter where it took me. It was obedience that finally placed me where I was always meant to be.


Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from?

Entangled came to be as I was writing Entrusted, the first book in my newly re packaged Surrendering Time series (formerly Adirondack Romance series.) I noticed Jenna’s best friend, sheriff Carla Rowling, emerging with a strong secondary story that I wanted to explore. In trying to figure out how to tie up loose ends in Entrusted, God dropped an ending that not only gave resolution to the story, it busted the door wide open for me to write Carla’s story.

My purpose in all I do is to encourage audiences to find freedom through surrender. I meet with a lot of women who see the potential God has for them, but they are so stuck in shame for something they did in the past they won’t embrace the forgiveness He already gave them. Entangled explores Carla’s forgiven past and how even with everything she’s ever wanted right at her fingertips, her lack of surrendering the past causes a lot of entanglements.

Your website tagline is Surrender Issues, and the Chocolate. Where did this come from, and what does this mean to you?

I recently re named my website to reflect the new direction the Lord has me on. Surrender and chocolate have always been a part of my writing, but this year God re directed me to take this theme and make it my literal business. I am now an independent author and speaker and everything I write will always include surrender issues and chocolate. My tagline is “Encouraging you to surrender the good, the bad, and---maybe one day---the chocolate.” My business is Surrendered Scribe Media, the name I started out with as a writer. I vowed to write whatever the Lord gave me, when He asks. Surrender starts with me. I want to be seen as a trusted voice because surrender is something I’m always going to be walking through. I’ve tasted enough freedom that God gives through surrender to want to cheerlead everyone willing to do the same. To show everyone that sometimes He asks us to let go of good stuff like a home or a job we enjoy. There are bad things we need to surrender like habits or life controlling issues. And in authenticity, God might ask us to surrender something down the road. Chocolate is something very much a part of my life, and I’m not ready to say goodbye to that. Thankfully, He hasn’t required that of me yet. But, I have changed my habits so I no longer eat M&M’s for breakfast.J So surrender and chocolate is a theme I believe readers will associate with me, and I pray they partner with me as we all surrender together.

How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?

It’s central to everything. I’m committed to being his vessel He can use. I’m not only praying and listening to His voice and leading, I have a team of prayer warriors that cover my writing in prayer. I vowed I won’t write without Him, and whatever He asks me to share, I will. It’s a hard and lonely calling, but I know I’m fulfilling the purpose He has for me.

What are you working on next?

Both Entrusted: Surrendering the Present (a re-release) and Entangled: Surrendering the Past are due to release later this spring. The series finishes later this year with Engaged: Surrendering the Future. Trish Maxwell was the “bad girl” from Entrusted and in Engaged, she’s back in Speculator Falls with no city job and egg on her face. She has to work with the very people she offended in her quest to leave her rural hometown for life in the big city. Trish isn’t sure what’s next for her, especially after she befriends a handsome newcomer who loves mountain living. I’m having a blast with Engaged, and I believe readers will love Trish’s story.

Very interesting. Looks like you have some great stuff going on. Thank you so much for being with us! 

Readers, here's how you can connect with Julie.

Facebook: http://facebook.com/JulieArduini

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JulieArduini

G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JulieArduini/posts

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/JulieArduini

Instagram: http://instagram.com/JulieArduini

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/JulieArduini

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Arduini/e/B00PBKDRSQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427852247&sr=8-1

Monthly Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dCFG

Weekly Sunday’s Surrender and Chocolate: http://eepurl.com/bJ5yHP