NEWS
Stories Between the Books
6 Instagram Story Templates
Are you on Instagram? Enjoy six Instagram story templates released on my Instagram page at @julievalerieauthor.
Shirt + Jacket = Shacket!
Snazzy word, I know. "Shacket!" Tracing its roots to military styling, the shacket is a shirt...
How to Paint a Pumpkin
When it's that time of year, paint your pumpkin right. Key to painting a pumpkin that will last...
Recipe for Taco Soup
Do you have a favorite slow cooker recipe? I certainly do. Taco Soup! Although, I'm not sure if...
Word Games
Below are answers to the Word Games tweets released on my Twitter page every Saturday morning....
52 Inspiring Quotes about Writing
"A book is made from a tree. It is an assemblage of flat, flexible parts (still called "leaves")...
Peacocks, Peahens & Primm
Did you know? The collective term for peacocks and peahens is peafowl. A family of peafowl is...
Hottest Summer Color for 2019? Pantone’s Living Coral
I've been watching this evolve since Fall 2018 . . . I wrote about coral and pink in combination...
All Summer Long – Book Reads Giveaway 2019
What's in your beach bag this summer? Can I tuck a few summer book reads inside? All Summer Long -...
Dogs that Steal My Heart
There's a somewhat naughty (okay, a lot naughty) chocolate labrador in my novels. Her name is...
Andy’s Favorite Cornbread Recipe: Skillet-baked Cornbread
My husband Andy’s favorite cornbread recipe is a skillet-baked cornbread recipe from A Chef's...
Topiary of the Month Collection
Residents of the Village of Primm, the eponymous seaside tourist town on which I base my series,...
Typing FIN at Barboursville Vineyard
Barboursville Vineyard, positioned along the Monticello Wine Trail in Virginia's Monticello AVA,...
For the Love of Fine China
I didn't register for china when I got married. No plates, platters, or place settings for me. Had...
How to Build Your Own Bucket List
What exactly is a bucket list? A hypothetical to toss out when someone asks—a response akin to...
What Rhymes with Mother’s Day? Giveaway!
Cheers to the women who wipe noses, tie laces, and remind us to sit up straight. Happy May to all and Happy Mother’s Day to many. What rhymes with Mother’s Day? Giveaway. And I’ve got a great one.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside.
It seemed everyone was trudging through winter these days, keeping an eye on the thermostat, watching for signs of spring. The other day, pulling a living room curtain to the side, I looked for signs of spring beyond my window while curled up with a good book, a cup of English Breakfast, and wool blanket from Peru. Funny, I noticed a surprising number of birds that weren’t there the day prior had suddenly appeared in my yard.
What Do You Love?
I love James River Writers. I serve on the board of directors of this 450-member community-based non-profit in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia. We serve as central Virginia’s literary hub and we welcome everyone who loves the written word. Would you like to learn more about our organization? Take a peek at some of our programs.
I Often Feel I’m An Odd Bird.
Like many writers, I write from home, so my workday often passes without human interaction. My dogs are always at my feet, but despite being English Labradors, neither of them speak the language. I’m not lonely, quite the contrary. As a wife and mother of four, I’m grateful for the solitude, but I also seek meaningful interaction with my writing tribe. My flock.