Julee Balko
Author Interview - Julee Balko
Author of The Things We Keep
What would you keep of your mother’s after she dies? What secrets would you keep from your family? Serena is dealing with these questions while balancing grief, a scientific career, motherhood, and not hating her spouse. You know, the typical easy life of a woman. There is one thing Serena thought she knew. Her mother hated her. But now Serena must come face to face with the truth she learns after her mother’s death. Maybe her mother didn’t hate her, but loved her so much that she changed everything for her.
Author Interview - Julee Balko
Author I draw inspiration from: Eudora Welty, Zora Neale Hurston, Jonathan Franzen, W.H. Auden. What author don't I draw inspiration from? I am constantly reading and falling in love with the written word over and over again.
Author Interview - Julee Balko | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book: My bed before I go to sleep. Reading a book is the last thing I do everyday. It's my version of self-care. I wrap myself in a blanket and a good book.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: The Tree from the Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. For one, I'm a huge tree fan. Hikes are my therapy. Also, I hate elevators and I am claustrophobic, so if I have a tree with me, I'll be calmer. However, I'd like to chat parenting with that tree and how we give so much of ourselves away. And how maybe that isn't all good? Tree conversations do tend to be one sided, but if you listen close enough, you can learn a lesson from any tree.
Author Interview - Julee Balko | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: 4th or 5th grade. I was very lucky because my early teachers made a big deal about my writing. They made my creativity seem truly special and their confidence and positivity has fueled me my whole life. Teachers are magical.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Paperback. I like to hold a book. If I'm desperate to get my hands on a book quickly, I'll do an ebook. I'm a terrible listener (just ask my husband) so audiobooks are not for me.
The last book I read: The Cicada Tree by Robert Gwaltney. I love supporting other debut writers.
Author Interview - Julee Balko | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer: Computer. But I always have a pen and paper next to me to scrawl out something tricky. Or doodle.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Kate from Firerfly Lane by Kristin Hannah and I'd tell her Tully is toxic. Everyone needs a Kate in their life. Someone who will be there for you no matter what.
Author Interview - Julee Balko | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: Vet on a rescue farm. I love animals. They bring me joy. That's why my second novel has a foster dog in it. But even if I worked with animals, I know I'd still write. Poetry about pigs perhaps?
Favorite decade in fashion history: The pandemic because I could wear yoga pants all day.
Place I’d most like to travel: Africa or Galapagos Islands would be amazing. I'm also a huge fan of sloths, so Costa Rica is definitely going to happen.
My signature drink: I'm a one glass girl. One glass of coffee, one glass of tea, one glass of wine. Not all at the same time.
Favorite artist: I'm a big fan of Calder's mobiles. I love Frank Gehry's architecture. Life is movement to me. My father always took me to art museums growing up, so art is a huge part of my heart. My favorite artist is anyone hanging up in an art museum. Art museums make me happy. And inspired. They push me out of my word world to think more visually.
Number one on my bucket list: Become a best-selling author, of course. I loved connecting with readers through my first novel. It makes me want to keep writing.
Find more from the author:
twitter: @misplacedcomma2
IG and Ticktok: @juleebalko
Author Bio: Julee Balko has been a Creative Director, brand builder, and content creator for years – while mothering and lassoing her three crazy daughters in her spare time. But she’s always wanted to be a “real” writer – the kind who has a book with her name on it.
The Things We Keep is her first novel and a dream come true. Julee started writing The Things We Keep after her mother passed away because she was thrust into a world of grief that no one talks about. Julee has always been drawn to writing about interesting characters and complex relationships. She wanted to create characters that go way beyond your “let’s go shopping” kind of mothers. This book was especially written for women and men who are a part of the sandwich generation – those who are trying to take care of their aging parents while balancing parenting, a job, and multiple glasses of wine.
Julee is so grateful for all the readers who have opened their hearts to her words. She is working on her second novel, “The Me List,” which brings to life an unlikely friendship between neighbors. Sometimes the realtor next door helps you find a home. Sometimes she helps you find yourself. If you’re a literary agent or publisher looking for your next great read, contact Julee.
