Julie Zantopoulos is the author of Shoot Down the Wendy Bird. Before she published her first book she was Editor-in-Chief, creating content for a national print and online magazine, The Indie Chicks. She now runs a community of writers and fosters creativity in others. She will be launching Nobody’s Beauty Guru, a site dedicated to her beauty addiction, in March.
In this episode, Julie discusses:
-Her favorite trashy SciFi movies and how they can actually serve as inspiration if they are able to be produced.
-One of her first creative moments as a writer when she went to Greece as a young girl.
-The process of writing her book Shoot Down the Wendy Bird and the emotional journey that it takes both her and the reader down.
-Her advice for people who might find it hard to put themselves out there in their writing or their art.
-Her advice for writers or bloggers who want to write a book.
-The importance of having trusted people to read your work.
-How it is not always good to push yourself to write if you are not in the proper headspace.
-The importance of going out and experiencing life, so you actually have experiences to draw from.
-How her worst moments creatively are when she gets in her own head and begins to doubt the value of her own work (and how to break that cycle).
-How one of her scariest moments was switching from the comfortable scenario of personal blogging and taking the leap as a business owner of The Indie Chicks.
-The empowerment that comes from realizing that you are good at what you do and that you can make a living from it.
Julie’s Final Push will inspire you to treat your writing and your art, not like a hobby, but as a PART OF WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO!
Quotes:
“I treat my writing as an outlet and a coping mechanism.”
“The hardest part is hitting publish. That doesn’t change over time. It’s not something you get over but it is something that you get used to.”
“You need to trust in yourself and your own unique view on things that there is somebody out there that wants to read it and probably needs to read it.”
“The world deserves to hear your voice. And it should be heard — you were given it for a reason.”
“I don’t think there’s any greater joy than when you do finally let go, and let your work be appreciated by other people.”
“You grow so much more when you allow yourself to share and get feedback.”
“There’s nothing to write about if you do not give yourself time to go out and live an active life.”
“When you do it even though you’re afraid of it, you gain such strength.”
“Claiming myself as a writer was one of the most profound and amazing experiences.”
“You never know where one decision where you push past fear will lead you. Each one of those small little decisions that seem like nothing, can lead you to pretty amazing places.”
Resources mentioned:
Shoot Down the Wendy Bird by Julie Zantopoulos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01l1WIC9mBo
Connect with Julie:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Nobody’s Beauty Guru
