On Writing, Motherhood, Gross First Drafts, and Dealing with Rejection with Author Julia Walton

This one is for all the writers who have turned into parents or parents who’ve turned into writers.

Becoming a parent changes you. Irrevocably. Sometimes it's amazing, sometimes (often) it's terrifying. Some days you look up and realize your actual boss is a tiny human that you created. 

It's a mind trip.

Ad when those precious people grow into the age where they can actually read what you write…now that is something else entirely. Something far more magical.

From almost giving up to writing a breakout novel that became a major motion picture (and a great one) to learning how to write a second novel on a notes app while breastfeeding award, winning author Julia Walton is going to give you a ton of inspiration and must-know guidance on how to stay in it and stay kind to yourself when times are tough and you're desperately trying to navigate the turbulent waters of parenthood.

I can’t wait for you to listen to this 100% authentic, beautiful human talk to you about her process, how she nearly quit but ultimately wrote her debut, how she learned to embarrass the “gross” first draft, and how being a mom has changed her writing focus.

00:00 The Importance of the First Draft

01:44 Intro to Author Julia Walton

03:15 Julia Writing Journey

07:51 The Success of Words on Bathroom Walls

09:36 Writing in the YA Space

13:02 Writing Process and Motherhood

17:17 New Middle-Grade Book: Weirdly Walter

21:55 Advice for Writers

25:21 The Role of an MFA

35:56 The Importance of Pre-Orders

37:09 Conclusion and Farewell

Weirdly Walter is available for pre-order through HarperCollins. 

Enter the Goodreads Giveaway for Weirdly Walter

Guest Bio and Links: 

Julia Walton is the award-winning author of Words on Bathroom Walls (now a major motion picture starring Charlie Plummer, Taylor Russell, and Andy Garcia), Just Our Luck, and On the Subject of Unmentionable Things. She received an MFA in creative writing from Chapman University and a BA in history from UC Irvine. Julia lives with her husband and children in Huntington Beach, California.

To connect with Julia, please visit her website:  https://www.juliawalton.com/  or find her on Instagram at @JuliaWaltonWrites