Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Open for Submissions
Exclusive Interview with
Charlene Johnson
When did you start writing?
I dabble in writing for years but got serious in 2016. That's when I took a book I'd been working and revamped it and split it into two books - Shattered and Avenged. Publishing Shattered in 2018 started my writing journey.
What makes writing your passion?
I love to read books and have since I was 9 years old. As I got older, I realized I wanted to create stories of my own.
How long have you been writing?
For years, but got serious in 2016.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
I felt an extreme sense of accomplishment. There are no words for how it feels to see your book in print.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
In regards to my paranormal series, Circle of the Red Scorpion, it was first my love of vampires and all things paranormal. In regards to my romantic suspense series, Sterling Wood, it was growing up in a small town and the stories I could create from that experience.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Nothing annoys me. I love the total experience.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Fortunately, it's not something I experience often. When I do, I take a step back and work on something else.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
I love the reaction of the readers. It motivates me. My advice for new authors is never give up your dream. Keep going. Your building a reputation and that takes time. Get involved in writing groups. Being around other authors will motivate you and you will realize you're not alone.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I wish I would have been confident enough to get published sooner. It took years for me to get there.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I like to read what readers think, good or bad. No one likes to read bad reviews but sometimes they can be helpful.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
It's validation that you're doing it right.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
I've incorporated parts of my life experiences where appropriate.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
Ebony from Shattered was loosely based on some of my life experiences.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Yes. It's the first thing that attracts a reader but the synopsis is more important.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love connecting with readers. It's one of the reasons I attend multiple book signings a year.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
I have a few. My favorites are Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, and Charlaine Harris.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Several New York Times Best Selling authors. My dream is for my book series to be a movie or a TV series.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
No. I'm very satisfied with my books so far.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
Christine Feehan. She is a big influence.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Authors work hard at their craft. Tearing their books down without a good reason is mean-spirited.
What would you say to your readers?
I appreciate my readers so much. They motivate me to write and keep doing what I love.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I'm live on a 13-acre farm outside of Colville, Washington. My husband of 39 years passed away in 2020 after a lingering illness. I have two adult children and four grandchildren.
What is your day job if you have one?
I'm retired in January 2020.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I love reading, sewing, photography, traveling, and collecting Elvis memorabilia.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
My love of reading.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I don't. The only unpublished ones are the two I'm currently working on.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
The love of books and encouraging their desire for knowledge.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
Become a New York Times Best Selling author.
Getting my books adapted for TV or movies.
To keep writing.
What is your favorite music?
I like a variety of music - R & B, country, classical, top 40.
Share a secret with us 🙂
If I did that, it wouldn't be a secret. LOL.