Brainerd writer helps readers find ‘things to do before they die’
By Jennie Zeitler
Julie Jo Larson of rural Brainerd has loved to write since she was a little kid growing up in New Ulm. She and an elementary school friend collaborated on a science fiction writing project. She wrote the story and he drew spaceships for their book.
Her English composition teacher in high school, Mr. Jones, was a positive influence on her writing.
“He was a quiet man, small statured, with a huge heart,” said Julie. “I want to visit him, connect with him again.”
Mr. Jones was super encouraging in her life and brought her into a world of books much different than she’d seen in her family – books that were a lot of fun and challenging to read.
“I realized how much he was ahead of his time. We didn’t just read a book and take a test on it. We read a book and discussed it, digging deeply,” she said. “I took almost every class that he taught.”
Julie had been journaling through junior high and high school, but she “didn’t do real structured writing,” she remembers. “I was busy with life after school.”
Fast forward several years. Julie married Stephen Larson in 1985. As the years passed, she gathered life experiences in many places around Minnesota.
“We had eight different addresses in five different zip codes,” she said. “His job took us all over Minnesota.”
They first moved from New Ulm to Mankato. Their later homes were in Moose Lake and Sturgeon, before moving to Brainerd in 2007. Stephen grew up in the area, and his mom celebrated her 100th birthday there in May.
Julie’s desire to write rose to the surface again after some rather dormant years. While living in Mankato, she had taken some college classes. In Brainerd, she attended workshops on writing and took composition classes at Central Lakes College.
“I took a night class at a time, miscellaneous classes,” she said.
First, she earned a child development certificate. She realized that she could do more, so she began work on an honors associate’s degree in 2010. She took Comp I and Comp II, core writing classes.
As a non-traditional student with kids at home, she came home from classes at 4 p.m. and was “mom” until 10 p.m. She studied from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. She earned her Honors AA in 2012.
After her degree, she wanted to keep taking classes. She transferred to a College of St. Scholastica night program. She completed her social work degree in December 2013. During that time, she had been writing more for classes. Now, it was time to start writing more for fun.
“At first I was focused on getting my degree. Then I discovered I still like to write,” she said. “An instructor told me about the Brainerd Writers Alliance.”
Contacting the Alliance (now renamed the Lakes Area Writers Alliance) hooked her up with other local writers.
“It provided really good support for people at any stage of writing,” said Julie.
Her first paid writing piece was done for the Lake Country Journal in about 2013-2014.
“It was a ‘front porch’ story about a headstone in the Brainerd cemetery,” she remembers.
She and a group of fellow writers and friends calling themselves the “MsStorians” started meeting regularly in 2014, for their brand of fun, which included touring old buildings, visiting cemeteries and investigating ghost towns. Their goal was to “solve the Brainerd Lakes Area’s history mysteries.”
“We found two Civil War cemeteries on the north shore of Mille Lacs Lake near Garrison,” she said. “I wrote a story about that adventure. We weren’t big drinkers, nor smokers – what else was a group of women going to do…?!”
She continued to attend writers workshops, improving her writing skills and networking with other authors.
The Writers Alliance was her connection to Krista Soukup, whom she met at a workshop. Soukup owns the Blue Cottage Agency, a literary agency that arranges workshops and “get started” packages.
“Krista asked me if I wanted to write a book,” said Julie. “I told her to tell me more. She put me in contact with Reedy Press.”
Julie discussed topics for a book with Reedy Press. They have a specific format to fill and topics to choose from.
“They asked about a second book. They also asked about a third book,” said Julie.
Julie’s first book was published in March 2021, “100 Things to Do in Minnesota Northwoods before You Die.” It covers the area from St. Cloud to the Canadian border. Her second book, “100 Things to Do in Minnesota before You Die,” was published in March 2023. Her next book is due out in spring 2026.
“It’s ‘Secret Minnesota – a Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure,’” she said. “It’s much larger and it required more research and more writing.”
Julie receives royalties for every book that leaves the Reedy Press warehouse. For books that she sells personally, she keeps half of the cover price.
Her day job is assistant director of TRIO Student Support Services at Central Lakes College. She is a licensed social worker committed to helping first-generation college students access higher education.
Even as she has published books, Julie still hones her craft. Every summer, she spends one week at the College of St. Benedict, learning from a now-retired college instructor within a group of about 15 people. They meet again in January/February for a long weekend.
“We have study time, writing time, meals together, and read aloud to each other our recent writings,” she said. “It’s a good supportive group. We attend each other’s events. There are always things to learn.”
Julie gives a lot of talks all over Minnesota, at libraries, historical societies, craft sales, wineries and bars.
“Some of the places that are featured in the books host events, and they call me,” she said. “It’s all been a lot of fun.”
To learn more about Julie Jo and her books, visit her website juliejolarson.com.
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