Woik, Julie 1963–

PERSONAL:

Born April 15, 1963, in Hartford, WI; daughter of Robert and Ellen Woik; married Guy Finnemore (an antique furniture restorer), September 1, 1995. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: High school graduate; also attended a technical school.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Sarasota, FL. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota, FL, psychiatric technician, 1984-90; private duty nurse, 1990-94; officer manager for various companies, 1994—.

WRITINGS:

The Garden Gathering (children's book; "The Life and Times of Lilly the Lash" series), Advocate House (Sarasota, FL), 2007.

SIDELIGHTS:

Julie Woik told CA: "Writing for me has been a gift. The poems or stories I have written have come to me without my asking for them. I get an idea, and I must write it down or I won't be able to stop thinking about it. My inspiration comes from everything and everyone. I'm observant and enjoy the whole life process. Sometimes thing turn out differently than I had planned, but it is always the right path for my personal journey.

"I wrote a few poems when I was young, and that carried into my adult life.

"People, the environment, what's happening in the world [influence my work]. I have to admit, I'm a tad bit frightened by what is going on in this world. Sometimes I become quite anxious about it all. Writing something positive is simply the right thing for me to do. What I have discovered in my forty-four years of life is that although there are people in our society making choices that are less than desirable, there are many more wonderful people trying to make this world a better place. They spend each and every day of their lives trying to make a difference. That is what influences me … LOVE.

"At first, [writing] just came to me without asking. I would write down the words that came to me in the night, spend time putting them together, and that was it, a poem was born. Then, after being encouraged to think more seriously about my writing, I decided to sit down and see if I could do it ‘upon demand.’ Now, in a quiet room, I sit down to my laptop, hop into whatever I am writing about, and words just flow onto the page."

When asked the most surprising thing she has learned as a writer, Woik said: "That a good book is very important to people. There are millions of books to choose from, but when a person finds a good one, they will tell you, and everyone else, about it! I have been overwhelmed by the comments people have gone out of their way to relay to me. I am grateful and blessed.

"I'm hoping to turn the world on its head! Since the series focuses on strong self-esteem and learning life lessons, I'm thinking that the books might turn out a whole generation of secure, loving, accepting, responsible, and respectful adults. Just that one tiny little thing, that's all I'm asking for."