From the Booking Desk:
Julie Hennrikus is another of those author who I delight in seeing at the various crime fiction conventions. She can always be counted on to have a smile on her face and a laugh in her heart. She and I also share a great love of theater, so you will often find us talking about the performing arts all across social media. It is truly my delight to introduce her here to those that don’t know her yet and to let the others get to know her just a little bit better. Enjoy!
Name: Julie Hennrikus aka Julia Henry
Location: Somerville, MA
This person from my personal life is such an inspiration:
I’m very blessed to have a lot of people who have inspired me in different ways throughout my life. But if I had to choose one, and I guess I do, I’d choose my grandmother, Mae Evans Stockbridge. She was a wonderful storyteller, and used her stories to illustrate character traits. So “don’t put your hand in a glass while you’re washing it because it might break” became a story about Aunt Kitty who had to go get stitches after a Sunday dinner, but she wouldn’t go to the hospital right away because Aunt Kitty was always a bit of a martyr. That sort of thing.
My grandmother didn’t sugarcoat things. She was a nurse in the 1920’s, and had stories about that. Like many people she had both good and bad things happen to her, and told stories about them. Because of that, I know a lot of family history I can pass on. She always said that her grandchildren were the applause of her life. She loved us unconditionally, which I’ve come to realize is a tremendous gift. Every time I bake, knit, tell a story, or pass on one of her stories I think of her, which is a lot. I don’t know what she’d think about my writing life, but I do know that she’d be delighted and proud.
One of the people I admire most in the crime fiction community is:
I’ve often said that we write alone, but it takes a community to have a career. I blog with five amazing women at WickedAuthors.com. Sherry Harris, Barbara Ross, Jessica Ellicott, Liz Mugavero (aka Cate Conte), and Edith Maxwell (aka Maddie Day) all got writing contracts before I did, but invited me on the blog. Over the six plus years we’ve blogged together they’ve celebrated with me and supported me when I’ve needed it. Not only are they prolific, they are fabulous human beings. And dear friends. Honestly, my best piece of writing advice is to find writing friends who lift you up. That’s five people, not one, but they are all part of the reason that I have a career.
STALKER ALERT! If this fictional character were real, they would likely need to get a restraining order against me:
Radcliffe Emerson from the wonderful Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters. Well, honestly, Amelia and Emerson would both need restraining orders. I love that series. Egyptology at the turn of the century, romance, adventure and mystery. When I took my dream trip to Egypt ten years ago I brought Barbara Mertz’s Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt. I love that Elizabeth Peters aka Barbara Mertz was also a archaeologist and brought that to the series.
People are always surprised that I am a fan of this individual (singer, actor, or artist):
It depends on how they know me! I adore Fred Astaire, he’s my all-time favorite movie star. I also am a huge Marvel movie fan. That shows part of my range, but not all of it. I’ve worked in the arts for my entire career, and I’ve learned that I never assume I’ll hate something or love it. I always give it a try.
My personal catch phrase is (or should be):
Progress over perfection. When I teach, coach or mentor people I repeat that phrase all the time. Perfectionism isn’t good for a rich, creative life. Keep moving forward, do the work, clean it up and enjoy the journey.
Find out more about Julie and her other pen-names here.
Photo Credit: Meg Manion
“Progress over perfection.” That works, especially right now.
Thanks, Edwin. It’s the way to go for sure!
Yay, Julie, and thank you for the Wickeds shoutout – you made me cry!
Edith, I love you dames. This journey has been so much more fun because of the Wickeds.
Great BOLO composite sketch… Fred Astaire…interesting, I learn something new every time from these sketches. Plus, loved the progress over perfection quote as too many people get bogged down reaching for perfection.
I do love Fred. BAND WAGON is my favorite of his movies. Are you a fan?
I’m so happy to see amazing, generous, thoughtful, funny, lover of red licorice here. Julie is the one who told me to join Sisters in Crime and go to Crime Bake. Everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like Julie. Thank you Kristopher for continuing your composite sketches. They are a bright spot every week.
Sherry, my Twizler twin, we are lucky to have sat next to each other at Malice all those years ago. And yes, these composites are lovely. So happy to be here.
I wish I could have met your grandmother, Julie. No wonder you are a natural story teller. You are so right about the Wickeds being fabulous human beings. I’ll always remember my first Malice last year when we went to lunch. All of you were so generous with your advice on writing and publishing.
Ang, you would have liked her. It’s hard to believe she’s been gone so long, I still think of her so often. Malice last year was so much fun. I SO wish we could have celebrated your nomination this year in person, but we’ll do that soon.
What a great Composite Sketch. Julie is a wonderful person and a wonderful writer. Thanks for the shout out to the Wicked Authors.
Thanks Barb! I do love the Wickeds.
Hi Julie! It’s great to see you here and get to know you a bit better.
I love Progress over Perfection. I’m going to have to remember that.
Thanks Mark! It’s a great phrase, but so tough to put into action. Yet I persist.
As a recovering perfectionist, I thank you for this sage advice, Julie!
Thanks Grace! I’m recovering as well, which is why I use this mantra so much. Otherwise I’d never get my work done!
Now I need to get someone to design a cross-stitch kit with “Progress over Perfection” on it! Maybe with some clock motifs? And a silhouette of Fred Astaire? Thank you for another wonderful sketch. And bravo Julie! Your activity through this COVID crisis is inspirational!
Thank you so much, Vida. And yes, it would be a great cross stitch project with clock parts, flower and theater masks. HHHMMM. Something to do/work on.
Very happy to see you here, Julie. You join a special group of people.
I do, Grace. I’m delighted to be here.
Kristopher, thank you so much for hosting me today! This has been a very bright spot this week/month.
I enjoyed your composite sketch, Julie. “Progress over perfection” is a good motto anytime, but especially now while we’re in quarantine.