Julia Benally

1. 
   
   INTRODUCING
   

   

   JULIA BENALLY

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Hello Julia!

   I have a few questions for you, when you have the time.

   Question #1:

   Your first big writing project (as a child) involved a co-author.

   Would you consider doing a collaboration, again?

   
   

   

   
   

   I actually did a collaboration project last Christmas. It was for The Wicked Library Podcast. We did a Clue kind of thing. It was really fun. I'd do it again.

   That totally sounds like fun!

   Okay. Let’s talk cosplay.

   
   

   

   
   

   Ok

   You mentioned in your interview that you would love to see cosplay of your characters

   Do you have concepts in mind?

   
   

   

   
   

   Yeah. Even though I can't sew, I designed clothes. My characters also don't look normal. I have some with ears on top their heads, different kinds of tails, some have fur on their legs, others have scales, and all have fangs. A cos player could dress in whatever race they want to be.

   I’m the mom of two cosplayers, and I think this sounds fabulous
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   Thanks! That's so cool!

   Next question: Have you lived on Apache land your whole life?

   
   

   

   
   

   I was born here, then my parents moved to Utah for a few months, we came back, and then we moved down to the city when I was 5. I went to elementary school there and junior high. Then we came back to the reservation right before I turned 14. I took of to college for a few years and now I'm back. I don't know where I'll be going next, but the reservation seems like home base.

   How lovely to have somewhere you can always return to.

   And how wonderful to be dialed into your culture.

   
   

   

   
   

   It is really nice. I know this place is a mad house, but I feel safe here.
   

   

   My culture is lovely and I love the crown dancers and the drums. I love to see them dance.

   I bet!

   Last question!

   Sounds like you’ve got some musical chops, yourself! Do you ever play for an audience?

   
   

   

   
   

   Yeah. I sang at a funeral last weekend. That was depressing, but I've sung for some giant meeting the tribe had. I usually sing with my choir from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Sometimes I sing by myself. Those times are the freakiest. I'm not a show girl though. They always tell me I need to smile.

   I’m so glad you perform, smile or no
   

   

   Julia, thanks so much, for taking the time to do this!

   
   

   

   
   

   Thank you! And thank you for interviewing me! It was a lot of fun!

   
   
   STANDARD TWEEP TATTLER INTERVIEW:
   
   
   

   1) Where do you live? 
   
   

   I live on the Fort Apache Reservation in Arizona.

   
   
   

   2) What is the first thing you remember writing? 

   
   

   I remember writing a story about Mermaids. It was more of a cartoon-comic thing I was making with my friend. We were about eight or nine. She lost interest, but I didn’t. I thought it was the greatest fun in the world. That particular story led me to the creation of my Syladins on the world of Ilo, where my book “Pariahs” takes place.

   
   
   

   3) Why do you write? 

   
   

   I have to, or I can’t breathe. Not only do I have to get the stories out of my head, but writing is also my escape.

   
   
   

   4) Have you published any of your work? 

   
   

   Yes! I’m so overjoyed about that. I have about two dozen short stories published in various magazines, and my book came out last year. I’m working towards getting more published.

   
   
   

   5) What are you currently writing? 

   
   

   I’m working on the sequel to “Pariahs,” which follows one of the secondary characters instead. I’m going into his background, and then past meets present for a final showdown. It’s written quite differently and sometimes I feel I’ve done something outside myself. I’m also brainstorming other short stories.

   
   
   

   6) Are you currently querying? 
   
   

   No, unless it counts for short stories trying to find a home in magazines.

   
   
   

   7) Finish this sentence (three lines or less):

   IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT… 

   
   

   and I managed to crawl out of the hospital alive.

   
   
   

   8) Which activities do you like to participate in, in the Twitter writing community (VSS365, etc.)? 
   
   

   I’ll play the games they have if I get tagged. Sometimes I won’t tag people because my internet is so slow. I’ll read the VSS365’s that are out there.

   
   
   

   9) Do you have any formal training/education for writing? 
   
   

   I took two English classes, but that’s about it.

   
   
   

   10) Do the people in your life know that you write? 
   
   

   Yeah, they all do. Their opinions vary.

   
   
   

   11) Where do you wish your writing to take you? 
   
   

   I really would like to have a cult following of rabid fans that cosplay my characters. As far as movies go, it’s a no, unless somebody wants to make it a Japanese Anime. What I would really like is that when someone hears my name, they can say, “There goes the best there ever was.”

   
   
   

   12) What did you expect when you joined the Twitter writing community? Did it turn out as expected?
   
   

   At first, I had no idea there was a Twitter writing community. One day, in some random conversation I’d decided to join in on, I met my friend Barb Avon. She’s the one who pulled me into the community. So I never expected anything. I was just watching.

   
   
   

   13) Where do you write? 

   
   

   In my room, on a desk.

   
   
   

   14) How much time do you dedicate to writing, weekly? 
   
   

   More than I can say. My schedule varies from day to day, but if I had it my way, it would be all day.

   
   
   

   15) Do you have other talents? 

   
   

   Sure. I can sing, dance, play the clarinet, piano, I dabble in the flute and the trumpet. I can also hunt. I’m a sharpshooter. I fish. When I feel like it, I’m pretty good at basketball and baseball. I also paint and draw. At the moment, I’m working on my cooking skills. Here’s a weird one, I’m pretty good at math, but I hate it. I also enjoy doing puzzles of all sorts. I also have a knack for teaching.

   
   
   

   16) CHOOSE ONE:
   
   

   1. I do not mind when other writers ask for advice. 
      (This one!) I like to help them out, as long as they’re sincere, otherwise, it’s kind of annoying. I get the vibe that they’re showing off or something.
   2. I’d rather keep to myself!

   
   
   

   
   

   ABOUT JULIA

   I'm from the White Mountain Apache Tribe, born to the Bear Clan on a dark and stormy night in the middle of the monsoon season. I guess it has a little to do with why I love rain. I'm a writer forced into the public eye. If a tweet of mine reaches over 100 people, I have the worst panic attacks. I enjoy being out in the forest, fishing, hunting, or just smelling the fresh air. I love playing the clarinet and singing. I can sing in public, and if I throw up enough in pure terror, I can sing solos, too. I've been published in maybe about two dozen magazines, but I went solo with my book. Follow me at my command center: sparrowincarnate.blogspot.com

   
   

   

   
   

   https://www.amazon.com/Pariahs-Ilings-Book-Julia-Benally-ebook/dp/B07JNCYY1W

   
   

   Twitter: SparrowCove

   Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SparrowCove