I’m so happy to welcome Julie back to the blog! I am a big fan of Julie’s books and her as a person. She’s generous, innovative, and thoughtful. I’m looking forward to her upcoming release — Fire and Rain!
Julie: The sixteenth Country Club Murder will release next Tuesday. I would say it’s the sixteenth murder, but if you’ve read the series, you know the heroine Ellison Russell Jones finds more than one body per book.
This book, more than any I’ve ever written, has been a challenge. And as I approached my deadline, I grew increasingly unhappy with the ending.
If I wasn’t happy, how would my readers feel?
I drank way too much coffee. I lost sleep. There may be a correlation between those two. I agonized. And last Friday, on the day the book was due to be uploaded, I made the decision to rewrite the last several chapters.
This meant changing the release date and disappointing readers who’ve been eagerly awaiting Ellison and Anarchy, Max and Mother, and Grace and Aggie. I am truly sorry for the delay.
When I hit the buttons to change the date, I cried. Relief? Stress? Disappointment with myself? Caffeine jitters? Maybe a combination of them all.
The whole experience got me to thinking about perfectionism, and how, as women, we pressure ourselves to reach near unattainable goals, then beat ourselves up when we fall short. I fully admit to falling short most of the time. And I am definitely beating myself up over this.
Can a book ever be perfect? Not one written by me. That said, the new ending is so much better! There are new characters to love, as well laughter, shenanigans, and a dastardly murder.
Thanks to all who read Ellison’s adventures. I am more grateful to you than I can ever say!
Readers: Do you beat yourself up when you don’t do something as well as you expect yourself to?
Bio: Julie Mulhern is the USA Today bestselling author of The Country Club Murders and the Poppy Fields Adventures.
She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean–and she’s got an active imagination. Truth is–she’s an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.
Julie, congrats on your upcoming release. And sometime I do beat myself up, especially when I know I can do it.
Welcome back to the Wickeds, Julie! Good for you for knowing you could make the book better in specific ways. I remember a story Jenn McKinlay told about finishing a book in 2016 when women were being publicly shamed by a person in power. She felt the way she’d written a female character was too weak, and she begged for an extension. She got it and rewrote manically for a few weeks to give the character more strength and confidence. I admired that.
Edith: I was thinking of that same Jenn McKinley story about rewriting her book.
Oops, I hit send too quickly. I meant to add that, as a reader, I would rather wait for the book to be released later after an improved ending has been crafted by the author than be disappointed on the original release date, Julie.
Congratulations, Julie! Proud of your choice to delay and re-write. It couldn’t have been easy, but it will make for a stronger book. This is one of my favorite series. Looking forward to the latest when it is ready for prime time!
Honestly, I very much did as I was younger. I had to cook/bake everything as good as my Mom who had been doing so since birth it seemed. I had to have the perfect home so that my in-laws thought I was worthy or to have it perfect in case of drop in company. However, as I’ve “matured”, I found to stop worrying about the small stuff. Life happens! I wanted to be enjoying life instead of stressing over if the house was clean enough or the cake looked perfect. In doing so, I think I made life more enjoyable not only for me, but for everyone around them. My mottos now are – Do you best, but don’t let your life be ruled by the little things. Get out and enjoy life. Follow my heart.
If your heart wasn’t satisfied with the ending, you did the right thing by redoing a few chapters. The only thing I’d say is shame you put yourself through all that suffering before you released what was right in your heart. I think that part comes with age though so you will get there. Worry is ulcer making and I have had my share of those until I finally “matured” into my new train of thought.
Congratulations on the upcoming release of FIRE AND RAIN! I know it’s going to be an excellent read and can’t wait.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Congratulations on the upcoming new book, Julie! Kudos to you for recognizing the story wasn’t where you wanted it and making the changes it needed. You rock!
Julie, I’m sure you made the right decision. And yes, I do beat myself up – but a lot less than I used to.
Congratulations in your new book! Love the book cover! I used to beat myself up when I was younger- not as much as now.
Thanks for the chance!!
Thanks for visiting today, Julie! Congrats on your latest! I think that one of the things that has changed for me as I have gottten older is the ability to offer myself a bit more grace about things in my life that didn’t turn out how I had hoped, especially when I am the cause of the results. It is one of the upsides to more years of life that I was not expecting and I am truly appreciative of it!
One of my very favorite series. Keep ’em coming!
I’m black and blue with beating myself up all my life. I’ve calmed down a lot in the last few years. Maybe because I’m getting old and I accept I can’t do everything, and do everything perfectly. It really is a relief. I still get occasional bruises, however. 😉
While few things will ever be perfect, it is good to put out something you are happy with. I respect your decision to move stuff back to create a better book.
As far as beating myself up, I do it all the time.
Fun to hear from Julie, I so enjoy this series! I try hard to not beat myself up, but it’s difficult to remember to allow yourself grave and kindness.
Yes, I do. I try to give myself grace, but I usually start out with beating myself up first. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.