Interview with author, Sherri Wilson Johnson

I welcome author, Sherri Wilson Johnson today!  “To Dance Once More” is Sherri’s debut novel!

Tell us a little about your background. When did you start writing?

I was born, raised, and still live in Georgia, northwest of Atlanta. So I am Southern down to my very core. My father was a preacher and I grew up in a Christian home. Writing has been a hobby of mine since I was a little girl. As a young adult, I read a lot of romance novels. After feeling the need to write books that were suitable for young readers, I began writing Inspirational Romances, which quickly became my favorite pastime and grew into a calling. I wrote my first novel when I was about eighteen during slow times at work. I took the writers course through the Christian Writers Guild, learned a lot about how to write well, and have never looked back.

What is your writing process?

My writing process seems to change with the wind. I used to write at night because I homeschooled during the day. Now that I am through with homeschooling, I write in the mornings. But I am a night owl by nature and often wake in the middle of the night to write. When that happens, I use a spiral notebook and pen to write–or more recently my android phone. In the mornings, I type everything in or copy and paste what I emailed from my phone and begin again. These days, I do a lot of marketing too so that takes up a good bit of my writing time. When starting a new novel, I usually write an outline/timeline and often find pictures in magazines or on stock photo sites to represent my characters. I draw up a character description sheet with mannerisms and physical characteristics. I usually write a few chapters and then go back and edit and then start writing again until I’m through.

What was the inspiration (motivation) behind the book? (Why did you write it in the first place?)

The inspiration behind “To Dance Once More” and all my other novels,
Bible studies, and devotionals is plain and simple: God. I know that might sound trite or silly or too spiritual…but it’s true. God instilled in me a gift of writing and a desire to do it. I have tried for years to quit writing because I was frustrated about not getting published. I asked Him many times just to take it away from me. Every time I asked, I got another idea for a book. So I submitted to His call and have continued to write.

Another motivation for the book was working with teens at my church and seeing how they longed for love and often looked for it in the wrong places. I realized as my children and their peers grew older that the need to belong to someone didn’t stop when they grew up. I want to write books that help people see where to find true love–in the Lord.

Tell us about the main character, Lydia, and her inner motivation.

Lydia, a Victorian debutante, has been told what to do and when to do it since birth. She has watched the women in her family sit home and raise children with very little social respect. She has also watched the former slaves that live on her plantation suffer because of their race. She wants to do something to change the world for women. She does not want to fall into the trap of marriage until she has had a chance to make a difference in the world. She views love and marriage as a form of slavery. Of course, as the book moves along, Lydia matures and sees that love isn’t all bad. She has failed to see the many benefits of being loved by someone. It is when she discovers a secret about her future that she battles with her choices and must make great sacrifice.

What do you hope this book accomplishes?

I write heart-warming Inspirational fiction (Historical and Contemporary) that challenges readers to have faith even in life’s most difficult of storms. I hope my books lead people (of all ages) to finding peace in their lives.

 

Who is this book written for?

Pure Romance is usually the main theme of my books but I love to sprinkle in suspense and mystery, as well. Although my primary focus is ministering to women readers, I am a former homeschooling mom so much of what I write is suitable for the Young Adult market. I have even been told by a 70+ year old man that he enjoyed my book!

Do you have a “life verse” that you have claimed? If so what is it and why is that verse so meaningful to you?

My life verse is John 14:1-3: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” This has been my favorite scripture since I was a little girl. It is so comforting to know that no matter what happens to me in this world, I have a home that is being prepared for me and Jesus is there waiting on me.

Who (or what) is your greatest encourager when you write and why?

My family and a few close friends have always been my encouragers. They have always believed in me. When I’ve wanted to give up, one look in their eyes told me that it was not an option. It’s almost like I’ve inspired them to fulfill their dreams just by pressing on to fulfill mine.

Is there anything else that you would like your readers to know about you that would give us even more of a glimpse into your personality and passions?

Both of my parents have passed away so a lot of the pain I write comes from the feelings of grief I have felt from their loss. But I do not like to stay in that grief. I have the gift of gab and I love to make people laugh. I love to spend time with my family, ride roller coasters, eat ice cream, and read and write. I never shy away from speaking candidly of the purity of not only the heroine but of the hero of my stories, as well, because I believe in today’s world, we need to encourage both men and women to live pure lives. I believe that writing is so much a part of who I am that I must use it to share what I am passionate about. I desire to point others to Jesus through my words. 

My debut novel, To Dance Once More (OakTara), is set in Victorian-era Florida, bringing the romance of the beach, Victorian times, and debutante balls together (some of my favorite things).

April 1886 — Debutante Lydia Jane Barrington lives a carefree, protected existence on Live Oaks Plantation in Florida. But while her sisters happily learn the traditional tasks of women and talk of courting, Lydia dreams of adventure and independence. Even her friendship with handsome Hamilton Scarbrough isn’t enough to hold her back. Then one day Hamilton opens Lydia’s eyes and her heart to love. But before they can receive permission to court, Lydia overhears a secret conversation about an unscrupulous business deal. Worse, it has everything to do with her and her future. Now she’s faced with the biggest decision of her life—to concede or to fight. Either choice will require great sacrifice…and, perhaps, countless rewards.

You can find me here: www.sherriwilsonjohnson.com, Twitter, Facebook and my blog.

www.sherrijohnsonministries.com

 

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