Author of Medieval Romances
Born and raised in Erie PA. I have a wonderful, huge extended family that I visit whenever I can. I went to Catholic school growing up--and an all-girls high school. I met my husband at college. We were "brothers" in the same fraternity (it was a professional fraternity, so co-ed). After we married, we settled in central New York, which has been home ever since.
About my family
My husband and I have three kids. My son Jim works as a wine sommelier in Aspen CO; my daughter Michelle is in marketing in NYC; and my youngest daughter, Laura, is a sophomore in college who's considering nursing. We also have two wonderful dogs, Apollo, a boxer/lab mix, and Uma, an Alaskan Huskie. They makes us laugh--and keep me walking 2-3 miles every day.
How I started writing
I wrote my first book when I was thirteen, about teenagers in space. I was a science fiction fan before I found historical romance in high school. Can you say Trekkie? I continued writing a series of 50 or so books with the same characters (and then their kids) that all my friends read through high school. Though I majored in aerospace engineering in college, I took all my electives in English and creative writing. I wouldn't be published now if Tobias Wolf, my professor, hadn't said he thought he'd see my books on a shelf someday. His words gave me the confidence to try my hand at historical romance a couple years later, when my babies were taking long naps. It took me thirteen years to become published. I first sold to Avon Books under my own name, Gayle Callen. I continue to write Victorian historical romances under that name. As Julia, I write medievals.
What helped me succeed
The Central NY Romance Writers and all of my writing friends I met through this group. If you want to be a writer, find a group you can learn from, critique with, and share the solitary ups and downs of being a writer. Here's a list of my favorite writers, friends and organizations that helped me along the way:
My hobbies
As I've already said, I always loved to watch my kids play sports or act in musicals or sing in concerts. But they're growing up! So I had to replace that with an old love, crocheting. I've done some blankets and a table runner recently. I also love to sing and act. I've done a few musicals, and now I've joined the church choir. When my children are grown, I'd like to do some community theater again. And travel! When we visited our daughter in England a couple years ago, it rekindled my desire to see more of the world. You know--when I have time. <Snort>
Of course I love to read, but since I'm the kind of reader who reads the whole book in six hours, without cooking or paying attention to the kids/husband, it's kind of limiting. Plus, I read my own work all day. Most evenings I love to veg in front of the TV, watching Lost, Survivor, Amazing Race, Medium, American Idol, So You Think You can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, Modern Family, FlashForward, and way too many other shows. Do you see the reality show theme there? Love 'em.
Things I used to do
Taught aerobics and weight lifting, and programed computer-controlled machines. Dropped the aerospace engineering in college--it wasn't for me.
My favorite vacation
Need you ask? England! Ah, the Tower of London, the Thames, and beautiful rolling countryside with castles and thatched roofed cottages. When I was there, we even rented a car and drove from Warwick to Bath. That's what I want to do the next time I go: drive through Cornwall, Yorkshire, and all the places I've set my books.
Other favorites
Books: anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, but especially Nobody's Baby But Mine, Kathleen Woodiwiss's Shanna and Wolf and the Dove, Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels. Movies: "Shakespeare in Love," "It's a Wonderful Life," "Dirty Dancing," "Good Will Hunting," "Terminator." Sports I watch: figure skating, Syracuse University football and basketball, and pro football.
My day
I try to wake up as early as possible because I find I work better without distractions. After breakfast and e-mail, I head to my office and work until about 1:00. The moment I leave my office, my dog Apollo comes running and gives me the pathetic, inquiring look: "Is it time to walk now?" After our walk, I eat lunch and watch One Life To Live. I deal with errands, online work, and anything else that needs to be done that day. If I haven't hit my page goal (usually 15 pages), I work a couple more hours before parking my exhausted butt in front of the TV. I try to write enough so that my weekends are for my family, but sometimes I still have to work.
How to reach me
Well, by e-mail of course! But if you like a paper trail, you can also reach me at Gayle Callen, P.O. Box 2355, Liverpool, NY 13089-2355. Send a SASE if you'd like a response.
Why romance?
Because what is more special than the power of love? I love to write about two people, each strong-willed in their own way, meeting, clashing, compromising, and falling love. It's wonderful!
Recipes!
Whenever the Avon authors do a holiday recipe ring, I contribute one of my own. But then I don't want to take it down! So here's a link to the first recipe of many: Reese Bars
For more recipes, check out the Recipe Archive at my Gayle Callen website.
Website Copyright
© 2009 by Julia Latham