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 Protagonists 00:00 Introduction to Way-Word Writers 00:32 Meet Julie Berman 02:31 Julie’s Writing Journey 03:43 Elsie’s New Season: A Later in Life Romance 05:30 Themes in Julie’s Writing 08:07 Balancing Realism and Romance 13:09 Genre Blending and Audience 15:46 Character Backgrounds and Relationships 17:54 Personal Touches in Grief 19:10 Challenging Age Stereotypes 20:37 Embracing Character Quirks 22:38 The Evolution of Romance Genres 24:01 Advice for Aspiring Writers 25:09 The Importance of Beta Readers 27:20 Navigating Indie Publishing 29:35 Marketing and Promotion Strategies 32:08 Heartwarming Lessons from Writing 33:42 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