Interview with author Sherri Wilson Johnson

* I judge the book by grammer, spelling, plot, and, well, everything that matters! I do not always agree with all religious standings, or Bible doctrines. Please keep that in mind.*

 Author Sherri Wilson Johnson is a author, mother, wife, and more. She tackles daily life and still finds time to write. Talk about multi-tasked. Sherri Wilson Johnson's book "To Dance Once More" is out. While I wasn't able to read all of it, what I did read revealed a masterpiece. Not many people can write a book that captures you in the first few sentences, But Sherri can.
   Here is my interview with Mrs. Johnson

 Have you always known you wanted to be an author?

    Oh, yes! From the first short stories in Elementary School, I was hooked on writing

When and why did you start writing?

My serious writing began when I was about eighteen. I wrote a full length novel on my typewriter at work. At the time, I had gotten hooked on reading romances but they were not really appropriate reads. I wanted to write really cool books that were clean, yet romantic and entertaining.

 What inspired you to write "To Dance Once More"?

I love the beach and Victorian times. I had the idea for the story and combined it with my love of the beach and old-fashioned ways to create To Dance Once More, a pure romance.

 Which character in "To Dance Once More" is your favorite?

I love the main character, Lydia, because she is strong and perseveres during trials.

 What was the hardest part of the book for you to write?

I always find it hard to get through the middle of a book. The story seems to lag a bit and I have to sometimes take breaks to rejuvenate myself.

 Who is your favorite author/book?

Oh, boy! I love so many I can't even begin to say who my favorite is. I enjoy reading Maggie Brendan, Robert Whitlow, Gayle Roper, Gail Gaymer Martin as far as fiction goes.

 Do you outline, or just write as ideas come?

I actually do outline. If I am writing a contemporary novel, I print out a calendar for the month/year I am writing about and I mark the happenings on it. It helps me keep up with what my characters are doing and when and where. I also keep a chapter by chapter log as I am writing. It helps me write a synopsis for publishers when I am ready to submit proposals.

 What is your writing routine?

I am a night owl so I do a lot of writing at night. But I also have a busy family life so I grab my writing opportunities whenever they come. When I feel inspired, I write. When I don't, I edit things I have already written. When I am totally uninspired, I read. It helps get the creative juices flowing.

 If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would that person be?

 I've been asked this question before. I would love to sit down and chat with James, from the Bible. He's such a great writer and bluntly says what's on his mind, while also inspiring Christians in their walk with the Lord.

 Was the publishing process stressful for you?

Oh, at times, it was. I have received so many rejections over the years. But now, looking back, I have to say that the rejections were deserved. Each time I was rejected, I'd take another look at the manuscript and keep working on it. So the rejection is actually a very healthy part of the process.

 Do you plan to write any other books anytime soon?

I am currently polishing my third novel, writing my fourth one (which is the sequel to To Dance Once More), and working on a sequel idea for my second novel, Song of the Meadowlark, which will release in May.

 And lastly, what tips might you have for a beginning author?

I would tell any beginning author to never give up. If you quit, you'll never know what you can achieve. I would also tell a beginning author to read as much of the genre he/she writes in as possible. And read other things, as well. Reading and writing--those are the keys.
If you haven't read To Dance Once More, you should. It is a well-crafted, beautiful story. Thanks to Sherri Wilson Johnson for allowing me to interview her. It was a lot of fun, and I enjoy getting to know more about an author than what google tells you. Hope you have enjoyed and God bless. Congrats on your book Sherri! Can't wait to see more out.

You can find Sherri on the web, Facebook, Twitter, and more.

http://sherriwilsonjohnson.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/swj_thewriter
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Sherri-Wilson-Johnson/138396456193536
http://www.oaktara.com/sherriwilsonjohnson
http://sherrijinga.wordpress.com/