Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julie Navickas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Julie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Risk-taking. The very word itself induces a fair bit of anxiety for me. By nature, I’m not a risk-taker. I’ve lived a life of planned, well thought out, and smoothly executed decisions. But then the summer of 2020 happened amidst a global pandemic, and I did something that I never thought I’d do.

I wrote a novel.

I challenged myself to step well beyond my comfort zone and I authored a 72,000-word contemporary romance novel in about three months. Not only was the journey a rollercoaster ride of gratification, but it was also a stomach-dropping plunge of discomfort. I learned throughout the process that to be an author, means you have to be a risk-taker too.

If you’re an (aspiring) author…

Step off the cliff. Literally. If you’re going to author a book, you’ve got to let go. Let go of what you think you know and be ready to open your mind to new ways of writing, new ways of thinking, and new ways of learning.

Don’t hold back. Dive in headfirst and when you surface for air, stand proud and tall. I’ve never held my breath longer than when I handed over my manuscript to a beta reader. Sharing your baby with the world is no easy feat. But if you’ve put in the work and done it right, don’t short-change yourself. The world needs your story.

Be okay with the learning process. You may think you know how to write a novel. How hard can it be, right? Until a blank page stares back at you and you’re left with paralyzing fear and confusion. Trust me. Your first draft will suck, but you’ll think it’s gold. Learn from the process. Learn from other writers. And keep humility in your back pocket as you progress.

My favorite quote is by Kevin Trudeau: “If you continue to think the way you always thought, you’ll continue to get what you’ve always got.” And truly – is there a better perspective to have in this world? Take the risk. I’m sure glad I did. It’s been three years since this pivotal moment and I have three published novels and three more under contract to release next year.

Julie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

In the fourth grade, I wrote a thrilling tale about some vegetables with heroic aspirations to escape the fridge prison, sparing themselves the unappetizing fate of being simmered in a veggie stew. My creative writing skillset and storytelling abilities won me a classroom Young Authors Award. And to this day, I look back on that blue ribbon knowing that it set the foundation for my future career as an author.

Storytelling has always been a part of who I am — from blogs and social media to short stories and fanfiction. Writing is a skillset ingrained in the palm of my hand and emblazoned on my heart. But for many years, I hid my passion for the creative, turning to “paycheck-friendly” careers that sought copy content with a lack of flare.

But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the state of Illinois went into a period of lockdown for three months. At the time, my children were ages three, two, and one. I worked a full-time student-focused job at Illinois State University that shifted from in-person to virtual overnight. Advising… teaching… everything went on Zoom at the drop of a hat. And I was left stranded in the ocean with a slowly deflating inner tube — expected to be online from 9–5 every day, serving my students while simultaneously caring for my small children 24/7.

I struggled for the first two months, often ending each day in a fit of tears, ready to curse the world for the unfair expectations of being a mother and working professional. And then one day, my eyes opened, and clarity struck. I needed an outlet for the anxiety and stress. I needed a purpose beyond virtual instructor, beyond snack provider, and beyond the boundaries I’d placed on myself and the expectations enforced by others.

My heart, alight with excitement for the first time in months, turned to an old friend, the creative power of storytelling. I whipped out an old screenplay I wrote in graduate school and twisted and turned that trash fire of a script into a full-length contemporary romance novel. And I thought to myself… “Julie, why have you waited this long to fuel that fire that burns in your heart?” It just took a world pandemic and a few gray hairs to normalize the idea of reinventing myself.

And now here I am… a best-selling and award-winning contemporary romance author with not just one, but three published books. And three more under contract for 2024.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience. For me, the struggle here stems from lack of time. Simply put, time is emotional. Every minute I spend at my computer is a moment I lose with my children and husband. When I first started writing, it was all I could think about. The story consumed me. Each waking moment was absorbed in planning and plotting. But slowly, I began to see the bigger picture, and what I discovered effectively resolved my struggle. While writing is important to me, it will never earn a spot above my family and the obligation I have to them.

So, I adjusted my writing schedule, and I made more time for them. It was a burden lifted because it eliminated my guilt and improved the quality of my writing and planning time. I will admit that my head hit the pillow for a little less time each night. But lucky for me, I can function on very little sleep (that’s what having three children in three consecutive years will do to you!), and much of my writing career takes place while my kiddos are asleep.

When something fuels a passion, or ignites a fire, it’s our duty to heed the call and respond. I love writing. It brings me so much joy and fulfillment, but perspective is equally as important. I choose to be a wife and mother, too. The balancing act can be difficult, but with the right vision and clear focus, it’s easy for me (now) to appreciate the right lineup of priorities. Resilience taught me a lesson I’ll never forget.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

(The story of how I “met” my publisher)

Inkspell Publishing emailed me on Saturday, April 24, 2021 with the words, “We would like to publish your book, I Loved You Yesterday.”

I remember sitting on the couch with a toddler on my lap watching the ten thousandth episode of “Blippi” on YouTube. I looked down at my phone and handed it to my husband, seeking sanity. And I’ll never forget the grin that exploded on his face as he scooted the kiddo from my lap onto his, his lips mouthing, “Open it” with the excitement of Christmas morning.

I’ve had a lot of good moments in my lifetime. I really have. But when a pandemic hobby and creative outlet led me down the unexpected path to a book publishing contract, my outlook shifted. And the girl who worked hard just to fit in, suddenly became a woman of confidence — no longer afraid to show the world who she truly was, and what she was capable of accomplishing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://authorjulienavickas.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julienavickas/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieNavickas
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienavickas/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieNavickas
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNUW07fs9AmSRN2o-yAjISg
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julienavickas?lang=en

Image Credits
Photographer: Erin Barnard (Photography by Erin B.)