In this episode of Read the Damn Book, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with author Julie Doar to discuss her debut cozy mystery novel, The Gallagher Place. Julie shares the inspiration behind the book, exploring themes of family drama, hidden secrets, and small-town intrigue. She opens up about her unconventional path to publication—from working as a Starbucks barista to becoming a published author—and how her experience as a middle school teacher influences her writing and character development. The conversation dives into the cozy mystery genre, Julie’s writing process, and the realities of writing and publishing a first novel. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring writers, cozy mystery fans, and readers curious about the journey from idea to bookshelf.

What We're Talking About...

• Author Julie Doar drew inspiration for The Gallagher Place from her childhood growing up in New York’s Hudson Valley.
• The Gallagher Place blends family drama with a compelling cozy mystery at its core.
• Julie discusses how discipline and consistency in writing—shaped by her career as a middle school teacher—are essential to finishing a novel.
• Characters often evolve organically during the writing process, revealing depth as the story unfolds.
• The novel explores powerful themes of family secrets, personal trauma, and emotional healing.
• Julie’s teaching experience directly influences her writing style, structure, and character development.
• She shares her unexpected yet fulfilling journey from Starbucks barista to published author.
• Readers connect deeply with the book’s realistic family dynamics and relationships.
• Julie hopes to inspire her students and aspiring writers to pursue their creative goals.
• Future projects from Julie Doar will continue to explore mystery, relationships, and complex family dynamics.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Julie Doar and Her Debut Novel

02:51 The Setting and Inspiration Behind The Gallagher Place

06:05 Exploring Themes of Family Drama and Mystery

08:48 Julie Doar's Journey as a Teacher and Writer

11:42 The Writing Process: From Idea to Publication

14:52 Crafting Plot Twists and Character Development

17:51 Life Experiences: From Barista to Author

20:48 Character Inspirations and Family Dynamics

23:40 Upcoming Projects and Future Works

Links Mentioned

Julie Doar's website: http://juliedoarwriter.com