Dear Readers, I’ve
known Myra
Johnson through ACFW for a long time. I’m thrilled to share her new release
with you.
Welcome, Myra . Why do you write
the kind of books you do?
Wow, ask the hardest questions first! All I know is that I
have to write the stories that tug at my heart. Historical or contemporary,
romance or women’s fiction, if I’m not emotionally connected to the characters
and their issues in some tangible way, I can’t make them believable for my
readers. Since I’m (mostly) a seat-of-the-pants writer, I do a lot of listening
to my characters. As they tell me who they are and what they want most in life,
their stories take shape on the page. Honestly, how it all happens, this thing
we call “writing a book,” is a mystery to me, and I relish every minute of the
discovery process!
That is so true of us
SOTP writers. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day
in your life?
Another hard question, with too many possible answers! I’m
just going to say the day I married my husband. We’ll soon celebrate 45 years
of marriage, and though it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, our commitment to
each other is solid. He’s my confidant, my #1 cheerleader, and my very best
friend.
How has being
published changed your life?
The simple answer is that I’m no longer writing only for my
own pleasure or when I feel inspired. Now I have an obligation to meet
deadlines while attempting to keep both editors and readers happy. I have to be
much more disciplined about keeping to a daily writing schedule. And it’s no
longer just about writing. I have to allot time for doing research, crafting
proposals, completing edits and revisions, etc. Then there are all the related
marketing and promotion activities, including guest blog interviews like this
one, blogging with my Seekerville clan,
and staying active on social media.
What are you reading
right now?
Not sure what I’m going to pick up next, but I just finished
reading Charles Martin’s latest, Long Way
Gone. I like to read in a variety of genres, something a little different
each time. I always lean toward stories with intriguing characters and
emotional depth.
What is your current
work in progress?
I recently sent my editor the next book in the Flowers of
Eden series, which will be Rose’s story. I’m now working on a contemporary
women’s fiction manuscript about estranged sisters healing from difficult
family issues.
What would be your
dream vacation?
Anything tropical, but with all the amenities. Sandy beaches lapped by
crystal-blue waves, a plush hotel room with a great view, no crowds, plenty of
time to relax and enjoy.
Sounds wonderful. How
do you choose your settings for each book?
I prefer to write about settings I have some familiarity
with, which is one reason my Flowers of Eden historical romance series, as well
as the previous series, Till We Meet Again, are both set in Arkansas. We’ve
vacationed in the Hot Springs
area for many years, and the more we visited, the more my interest in the local
history grew.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
It wouldn’t be just one person, but my two wonderful
daughters. They’re both busy moms now, and it’s very rare that we have some
quality time for adult conversation. I miss those moments!
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I’m not really a “hobby” person, as the business of writing
takes up a huge chunk of each day. I do enjoy singing in our church choir, and
I love spending time with my grandkids. I love animals, especially our two very
pampered rescue dogs. For a break from writing, sometimes I open up PhotoShop
and get creative with photo images.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I’m such a private person that the hardest thing for me is
promotion. In fact, I’m sure there are a number of people in the wider circle
of my acquaintances who haven’t yet discovered I’m a writer. In many ways,
social media has made it easier for introverts like me to be more open and
engaging. I can coax out my “inner extrovert” much more comfortably online than
in face-to-face conversations.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Write something every day. Study the craft, especially books
like Stanley Williams’s The Moral Premise
and Dwight Swain’s Techniques of the
Selling Writer, along with any of James Scott Bell’s books on the writing
craft. And don’t neglect grammar and spelling, because first impressions count
and writers should have a level of mastery over the most basic tools of our
trade. I’d also extend a standing invitation to visit Seekerville, where we cover a
writing-related topic at least five days a week, and the archives are filled
with posts on the basics of writing.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Castles in the Clouds. Larkspur Linwood, the second of the
Linwood sisters introduced in The
Sweetest Rain, is a young woman who yearns to become a teacher. Young and
impressionable, Lark mistakes a college professor’s interest for romantic love.
When he offers her the chance to join his efforts serving at a mission a school
in Kenya ,
she pictures herself bringing the light of knowledge to hundreds of African
children eager to learn. But the menial tasks she’s assigned at the school
aren’t so different from life on the Arkansas
tenant farm where she grew up. Worse, her fragile heart is broken when she
realizes her feelings for the charismatic professor are not returned. Miserable
and deflated, she gives up and returns home.
Professor Anson Schafer is partially blinded from an eye
infection he contracted while serving at the Kenyan mission school and must
leave Africa . He visits Lark’s college to
recruit teachers for the founding of schools here in the U.S. for those
struggling through the Depression. Still stinging from her experience in Kenya , Lark is
reluctant to risk more disappointment, but she is drawn to Anson’s cause and
soon joins him in his efforts. As they work side by side, Lark begins to
realize that the deepest satisfaction comes not so much from what you do, or
where you do it, but from the attitude of your heart. She also slowly realizes
that the gentle, determined Anson is the true love of her life.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
May 1932
Henderson State Teachers College
A bad case of jitters had Larkspur Linwood by the scruff of
the neck. She’d passed all her exams, hadn’t she? With flying colors, every
one. Then why this curt summons to Professor Keene’s office?
She halted outside his closed door, a stack of library books
due back today clutched firmly against her chest. Professor Keene hadn’t
specified a time, only that she must see him this afternoon at her earliest
convenience.
Perhaps she should deliver the books first and come back
later. Much later, when he’d likely be anxious to get home to his supper and
wouldn’t lecture her overly long about...whatever this was about!
The bald truth was the man both enchanted and terrified her.
His smile could change in an instant from warm invitation to a sanctimonious
smirk. In her two years at Henderson
State Teachers
College , Lark had been the unwitting victim of
both.
Eyes squeezed shut, mouth in a twist, she prepared for a
hasty escape.
The door swung open.
“Miss Linwood. Please come in.”
He would look so fine today, dark hair slicked back and
shiny, broad shoulders tugging against the fabric of his starched white shirt.
With a gentlemanly sweep of his arm, Professor Keene motioned Lark into the
office. He relieved her of the library books and plopped them on a low
bookshelf by the door, then held a chair while she sat.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Website: www.myrajohnson.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyraJohnsonAuthor
Twitter:
@MyraJohnson and @TheGrammarQueen
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/MyraJohnsonAuthor
Instagram: mjwrites
Pinterest: mjwrites
Seekerville: www.seekerville.blogspot.comThank you, Myra, for sharing this story with me and my readers. (Just a side note, I attended a few classes at Henderston State Teachers College when I was a student at Ouachita Baptist College across the highway.)
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Castles in the Clouds - Christianbook,com
Castles in the Clouds (Flowers of Eden) - Amazon.com paperback
Castles in the Clouds (Flowers of Eden Book 2) - Kindle
Castles in the Clouds: Flowers of Eden, Book 2 - Audio
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
50 comments:
Lena, thanks so much for having me as your guest today!
How interesting that you attended classes at Henderson State! It was fun learning about the school's history. My Internet research even turned up some course catalogues from the years I wrote about in the story, which really made the school come to life for me.
Ohhh, sounds like one I will really enjoy, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Wendy in FL
wfnren at aol dot com
I hope so, Wendy! Thanks for commenting!
Location is next door to me, so to speak......a pretty and interesting setting. I also like the added drama/hardship of the story being set during the Great Depression. Thanks for the opportunity to participate. Cathy - TX
Cathy, I'm originally from Texas--lived there all my life until about 10 years ago.
I learned so much during my research about the Great Depression. Definitely more than I ever remember from school!
I NEED to read this book! I've been wanting to since I first heard of it, but now, after reading the interview and the synopsis again, I've renewed and increased my anticipation of the book!
Elly -Indiana-
I'm so glad you're excited about my book, Elly! Wishing you luck in the drawing!
Oh this looks and sounds so good!! Gorgeous cover!!
Abby in Michigan
Thank you, Abby! I have absolutely loved the covers Franciscan Media has created for my books!
It is a small world, for sure! My son graduated from Henderson State University in 2004. I made many a trip to Arkadelphia, Arkansas. I love the cover of your book and would love to read it.
Melanie Backus, TX
I'm from Arkansas so this would be near and dear to my heart! Great interview! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Linda, Red Lion,PA
I'm a teacher, and the first thing that caught my eye was that it refers to teachers.
Dianna in TN
Kenya will make for interesting reading.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I would truly love to win Myra's book. Also, the cover is beautiful.
Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana
Melanie, although we've passed through Arkadelphia many times in our travels to Arkansas, I've never had the opportunity to visit Henderson in person. It was so interesting learning the school's history, though!
Linda, my husband and I have always loved vacationing in Arkansas. We've traveled there almost every year since the 1980s. Hot Springs is one of our favorite vacation spots.
Dianna, how could I not honor teachers in this story when I have so many family members in the profession? Teachers deserve our great respect and appreciation!
Mary P, I enjoyed so much taking my characters to Kenya. Our daughter went on a college summer mission trip there several years ago and came back enamored. Then my husband and I finally had the chance to visit Kenya three years ago on an African photo safari. Just beautiful, and such a variety of scenery!
Thank you, Cindy W! I'm delighted with the cover, too!
I am not familiar with Arkansas, and haven't read many books from this time period!
I'm sure a trip to Africa was a much bigger deal back then transitive now.
Patty in SC
Thank You for this interview. This is a new author to me and I get so excited when that happens. I'm from Oklahoma and have lived here since I was born.
Sounds like a good read. north platte nebraska.
Promotion!!!!! Arrgh. I agree.
But somehow it's easier when you have a book with a cover like yours that promotes itself.
I have this one on my TBR list. I just love the cover and the intro has me even more interested. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!
Loraine in TX
I want to read this one for sure. Thank you for the chance to win a copy. I enjoyed the interview.
Brenda in VA
What an interesting interview, Lena and Myra! This book looks and sounds so intriguing, and I've heard wonderful things about it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Looks fabulous! Please enter me.
Clarksville VA
I love the cover and look forward to reading this!
Beth from IA
sounds like an awesome book. thanks for the chance to win
live in ND
Sounds like a great historical fiction book!
Thank you for the chance to win.
Melody B (Quebec, Canada)
Kav Rees turned by on to Myra's books and now I'm even reading her Truly Yours romance books. I'm looking forward to Castle in the Clouds. I'm always fascinated by this period in history and how authors tackle that time in America.
Hi, Patty! Yes, traveling overseas took a great deal longer in the early 20th century. It was interesting to research how my heroine would have made the journey.
Hi, Karen! Though I'm a native Texas and now live in the Carolinas, we moved here after five years in Oklahoma. The weather got a little too extreme for me, though--searing-hot summers, ice storms in the winter, and the worry about tornadoes anytime a storm blew through.
Hi, Kim! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh, Tina, I hope you're right! Thanks for visiting!
Hi, Loraine! Delighted to know my book is already on your TBR list! I hope you'll enjoy it!
Thank you, Brenda!
Hi, Winnie! I appreciate your interest!
Thanks for stopping by, Abigail!
Thanks, Beth! So glad you stopped by!
Apple Blossom, thanks for your interest!
Thank you, Melody! The research for this book was fascinating!
Terrill, I must thank Kav! She's such a sweet lady! Hope you're enjoying my Truly Yours contemporary romances.
This book sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing Myra's interview and the first page.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I appreciate your stopping by, Connie! Hoping you have a chance to read the book!
It was a pleasure to get to know you a little better through this blog. I love the cover and the story sounds wonderful!
Thank you, Amy! Glad you stopped by!
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
This sounds interesting! I enjoy historical Christian fiction, and working in South Africa sounds fascinating, even it if starts out like being at her home in Arkansas. Would love to read this!
Jeanie in Phoenix, AZ
Sharon and Jeanie, thanks so much for your interest in my new book!
Post a Comment