Today’s Guest is Julie Leto!
Dec
26
2011

One of the things that writers do when they’re creating characters is play a lot of interview games. Some writers actually simulate a situation where they are asking their characters to tell them things about themselves…but I’m not that weird. (Joking! Writers who do this aren’t any weirder than writers who don’t…we’re all weird. It’s part of the job.)

The reason this has never worked for me is because my characters are perfectly capable of lying, even to me. (See? Weird.) So instead, I opt to get into their heads and ask ME what they would do in certain situations or what they have done in the past. Sometimes, I know the answers…a lot of times, I don’t. Sometimes, the questions just aren’t relevant to the story…I mean, unless my hero is a metrosexual, do I really need to know his favorite color?

And what about holidays? If I don’t write a book set during said holidays, do I really need to know how a character feels about them? It’s an interesting question, because how you feel about a holiday says something about who you are—I’m not psychiatrist, so I’m not exactly sure WHAT it says, but it’s definitely “telling.”

Here’s a run down on my holiday preferences:

New Year’s: Eve, I can do without. Day, I love, for very personal reasons and dread because it includes fireworks. So it’s kind of split.

Valentine’s Day: Could take it or leave it…not a big fan, though if someone gives me See’s Chocolates, I am apt to change my mind.

St. Patrick’s Day: I’m not Irish. I’m not a huge fan of most beers. However, I do like corned beef & cabbage and Guinness Stew, so if I can stay home and away from the stupid drunks, I’m okay with it.

April Fool’s Day: Hate it vehemently.

Cinco de Mayo: I’m not Mexican, either, but as this holiday is an excuse to buy a new bottle of Patron Silver, I’m all for it. Special mention.

Mother’s Day: I love it if I’m not stressed out about where I need to be when…with great planning, it can be spectacular. And I love my mom, so that’s an added bonus.

Father’s Day: Harder work on Father’s Day because my brothers are all fathers, so it means I’m doing a lot of the heavy lifting, but as my father is amazing, I don’t mind.

My Birthday: Awesome. I don’t care about age. I just want presents. No seriously, I just want pie. (Yes, I like pie better than cake…unless it’s my chocolate cake, which is fabulous, but I don’t want to cook on my birthday.)

Independence Day: Love it, though I hate fireworks (see New Year’s.) But the day itself: patriotism and pool parties. I’m in.

Halloween: My favorite holiday. Candy + costumes = perfect holiday. You don’t have to buy presents for anyone and no one expects you to come over to their house, but if you do, people are so happy, they give you chocolate. Yeah, my kind of day.

Thanksgiving: Fabulous. My cousin does all the cooking and she’s an amazing cook and hostess.

Christmas: Well…I’m split on Christmas. I love the holiday ITSELF. But I HATE shopping. I hate it more than I hate April Fool’s Day, and trust me when I tell you—that’s saying something. I hate having to remember to turn on and off my lights. I hate having to make room for a Christmas tree and decorating it and remembering to water it and…well, you get the idea. I imagine that most children and men love the holiday, but women secretly dread it…though few will admit it. What I LOVE about Christmas is the chance to spend so much time with my family and friends. Once it’s all said and done, it’s great…but man, is it ever hard work.

All in all, I think what this says about me is that I like holidays that are fun and responsibility light…especially the ones that don’t include fireworks or giving people free reign to be stupid liars and tricksters all day. And if a holiday somehow involves chocolate or booze, then all the better.

So what about you? What’s your favorite holiday of the year…and why?

Tell me about your favorite holiday for a chance to win a $10 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

Julie Leto is the New York Times bestselling author of over 40 novels for publishers including Pocket, NAL, Harlequin and HCI True Vows. She’s currently re-releasing her single title backlist projects independently…so if you like sexy action-adventures or sexy paranormals, check out her titles at http://www.julieleto.com/bookshelf.

30 comments to “Today’s Guest is Julie Leto!”

  1. Rachel Riddles
    December 26th, 2011 at 7:08 am · Link

    I think Christmas is my fave holiday. I know I usually get stressed out and crabby, but it’s worth it to spend some quality time with my family. Plus I get to watch my kiddos get excited about what Santa brought them.



  2. Mariann
    December 26th, 2011 at 8:55 am · Link

    Christmas is my favorite holiday.



  3. CrystalGB
    December 26th, 2011 at 10:10 am · Link

    Christmas is my favorite holiday. Love to give gifts and see the joy of the kids when they open their gifts.



  4. Diane Mc.
    December 26th, 2011 at 10:48 am · Link

    New Year’s Day since my anniversary is the next day.



  5. Hailey
    December 26th, 2011 at 10:49 am · Link

    I love 4th of July! I love the fireworks!



  6. StacieD
    December 26th, 2011 at 11:11 am · Link

    Hello Julie! Halloween is my favorite holiday because I love costume parties. Thanksgiving is a close second unless it falls on my birthday, which happens every few years. When that happens I DON’T cook. 😉



  7. Jeanette Juan
    December 26th, 2011 at 11:46 am · Link

    My favorite holiday is Christmas because it’s the one time of the year my whole family can actually all get together to celebrate and there’s also all the presents!



  8. Christine
    December 26th, 2011 at 12:12 pm · Link

    I would have to say it’s a toss up btw. Christmas and Thanksgiving both high up on my favorite holidays.



  9. Viki S.
    December 26th, 2011 at 12:18 pm · Link

    Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love turkey and all the fixings. It’s a nice day for family and friends to get together and just be happy for all they have :).
    Happy Holidays!



  10. Barbara Elness
    December 26th, 2011 at 12:29 pm · Link

    My favorite holiday of the year is Halloween, because my birthday is the next day. It’s always a double celebration for me, including pumpkin pie instead of cake – my very favorite dessert.



  11. Pamk
    December 26th, 2011 at 12:55 pm · Link

    Thanksgiving as long as I don’t have to cook. And love seeing family and friends on Christmas.



  12. RebeLovesBooks
    December 26th, 2011 at 1:04 pm · Link

    I am totally with you on the birthday! I love my birthday (which is only 3 days away – yay!), no matter how old I get. Thanks for the giveaway!



  13. Chelsea B.
    December 26th, 2011 at 1:08 pm · Link

    I have to say, Christmas is my favorite! I love shopping, giving gifts, getting gifts ( 😉 ) , watching romantic Christmas movies, looking at everyone’s Christmas lights, putting up our own…. Sigh. I love it all 🙂



  14. JenM
    December 26th, 2011 at 1:32 pm · Link

    I’ve always loved Thanksgiving. A holiday where the only thing you are expected to do is stuff yourself with turkey and all the fixings? That’s my kind of holiday.



  15. Jane
    December 26th, 2011 at 2:21 pm · Link

    Thanksgiving is my favorite. It’s the holiday that kicks off the holiday season and I like the meaning behind celebrating Thanksgiving.



  16. Michelle AB
    December 26th, 2011 at 3:14 pm · Link

    Mine is Thanksgiving because the whole entire family gets together. This included cousins and their kids. Talk about fun…



  17. Marc
    December 26th, 2011 at 3:41 pm · Link

    In Canada we have Family Day in February and that is my favorite holiday. A paid day to hang out with my family and focus on what is important. No gifts, no fireworks just fun times.



  18. REGINA ROSS
    December 26th, 2011 at 3:57 pm · Link

    Christmas is my favorite holiday 🙂



  19. elaing8
    December 26th, 2011 at 3:59 pm · Link

    Christmas is my favorite.I love to decorate the house,the music.Get the kids gifts and watch them open them.Baking all the goodies.Getting together with family.



  20. Jennifer D.
    December 26th, 2011 at 4:21 pm · Link

    Christmas is my favorite – the weather (cool), the lights everywhere, the music, decorating the tree & the house, party time with friends & family!



  21. Mel
    December 26th, 2011 at 5:41 pm · Link

    I think Christmas is my favorite holiday. All of my family comes to town and it’s real nice to see everyone.



  22. Diane
    December 26th, 2011 at 6:44 pm · Link

    Christmas is my favorite holiday! Getting together with family and friends, all the cheer and the happiness, the feeling of love all around!!!!



  23. Linda
    December 26th, 2011 at 7:47 pm · Link

    My favorite holiday – Memorial Day which recognizes the sacrifices of our veterans and of course is a precursor to summer. I like Thanksgiving and Christmas but those holidays (as joyful as they are) are also really stressful with the preparation and the shopping beforehand.



  24. Lindsey E
    December 27th, 2011 at 12:38 am · Link

    I love Thanksgiving. Good food, hangin out with family without all the stress about gift giving.



  25. Kris M.
    December 27th, 2011 at 11:21 am · Link

    my primary favorite holiday has to be my birthday because it is all about me 😀 my next favorite holiday is probably Thanksgiving, my mom cooks and she rocks and I love spending time with my family 🙂



  26. Erin K.
    December 28th, 2011 at 7:49 pm · Link

    Thanksgiving because it is a lot less stressful and less commercialized than Christmas. It is all about spending time with the most important people in your life and focusing on all of the wonderful things to be thankful for.



  27. monikarw
    December 29th, 2011 at 12:15 am · Link

    My birthday!:) ’cause it’s all about me!!!:P ..now, I know how this sounds but I grew up with 4 siblings so, I liked that in my birthday I was the star! Mom spoiled us all on our birthdays and made it our special day! I guess she still does in a way! So, it reminds me of those days, of my childhood so, I love it!:) ..Christmas isn’t bad either, u know? With presents and all! LOL ;D



  28. ClaudiaGC
    December 29th, 2011 at 8:19 am · Link

    My favourite holiday is Christmas because that’s one time of the year where my family is all together.



  29. chey
    December 29th, 2011 at 5:20 pm · Link

    Christmas is my favourite holiday of the year. I like all the visiting and good food.



  30. Spav
    December 29th, 2011 at 5:47 pm · Link

    My favorite holiday of the year is Christmas because all my family gets together. Also, I love all the lights and decorations.