EPISODE 104: Writing Later-In-Life Romances with Author Julie Berman

In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome author Julie Berman to discuss her journey of writing later-in-life romances. They delve into Julie's transition from speech-language pathology to author, her latest book 'Elsie's New Season,' and the importance of portraying love and life experiences of older adults authentically. Julie shares insights into the challenges and joys of writing for this demographic, the stereotypes she aims to debunk, and how her personal experiences have influenced her work. The hosts also explore broader themes of resilience, grief, and love, offering valuable advice for both writers and readers.Check out our EPISODE 104 DEEP DIVE: Writing Beyond Midlife: Crafting Compelling Stories with Older Protagonists00:00 Introduction to Way-Word Writers00:32 Meet Julie Berman02:31 Julie’s Writing Journey03:43 Elsie’s New Season: A Later in Life Romance05:30 Themes in Julie’s Writing08:07 Balancing Realism and Romance13:09 Genre Blending and Audience15:46 Character Backgrounds and Relationships17:54 Personal Touches in Grief19:10 Challenging Age Stereotypes20:37 Embracing Character Quirks22:38 The Evolution of Romance Genres24:01 Advice for Aspiring Writers25:09 The Importance of Beta Readers27:20 Navigating Indie Publishing29:35 Marketing and Promotion Strategies32:08 Heartwarming Lessons from Writing33:42 Conclusion and Future Projects​Elsie’s New Season: A Later In Life Romance by Julie Berman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waywordwriters.substack.com