The Adventures of Writing

The life of a writer can be pretty exciting. Yes, I really believe that. As writers we often say we have a solitary life, because many of us are introverts, and our lives outside our writing world are often limited to social media, or visiting with the characters in our books. So how can a writer’s life be exciting?

Everyday is a new adventure. The adventure is up to you. Maybe you write romantic suspense and your character is on a cross-country trip—can you say research/road trip? J I recently attended the ACFW conference in Nashville and visited with an author who traveled to all the places he included in his books. He has travelled all over the world for no other reason except he is a writer.

Maybe traveling isn’t an option for you, but that’s okay. You can still travel vicariously through online research.

The fork in the road leads to all kinds of possibilities. You get to decide what your characters do next. Will you make life miserable for them, or will you show a little grace and allow a moment of relief? The world traveler I referred to above stated he likes to make his characters experience a lot of pain. So much so that he is often brought to tears as he writes. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in tears as well when I’ve been writing. Talk about living an emotional rollercoaster—definitely not boring.

Social media. I know many authors consider social media a necessary evil, but it doesn’t have to be. Think about your interests. Perhaps you enjoy pictures, then try Instagram or Pinterest. Or maybe you don’t have a lot of time, but your publisher wants you to market—Twitter keeps things short and sweet. Plus you get to choose who you follow, so you get to see the kind of things you want to see. Maybe you like to interact with readers, friends and family, but you don’t have the time meet in person, then Facebook could be a great tool. Facebook groups are an easy way to interact with readers and keep up with family and friends. But user beware many people find Facebook to be an addicting.

Sense of satisfaction. If you create writing goals and meet them then you will receive instant gratification. There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishing ones goals. The greatest sense of satisfaction I get is when a reader enjoys one of my books and tells me. Those moments bring out the kid in me, and I’ve been known to do a little happy dance.

Let’s make the most out of our writing lives today and enjoy the process a little more than we did yesterday.

TWEETABLE

The Adventures of #Writing - via @KimberlyRoseJoh on @NovelRocket (Click to Tweet)

A Christmas Homecoming

Can the mystery of Christmas unite two hurting hearts?

Bailey Calderwood gives all she has to her job as an interior design assistant, but her best isn’t good enough for her demanding, bed-ridden boss. For some unexplained reason Mona has turned against her. At least not everyone is out to get her. A mysterious admirer is sending her cards and flowers. Could it be her boss’s son who’s recently returned home in time for the holidays?

Stephen Belafonte rushes home from France to be with his mother after her stroke, and is surprised by the rift between his mom and Bailey, her assistant. When his mom demands he fire Bailey, he’s torn between respecting his mother’s wishes and doing what’s best for the family business. Can Stephen find a way to heal the rift in his family as well his own heart, or will he be forced to let Bailey go? 

Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing.

She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Connect with Kimberly through

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1UhHwa4 

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2cWDu8c

Twitter: @kimberlyrosejoh

Kimberly's Newsletter: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

  

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An Interview with Kimberly Rose Johnson

Kimberly Rose Johnson

KIMBERLY ROSE JOHNSON writes sweet inspirational romance. She married her college sweetheart 25 years ago. Her hobbies include reading, watching chick flicks, playing the piano, long walks with her hubby and their yellow lab, drinking coffee and eating dark chocolate. 

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science and is a member of ACFW. 


What sparked the story for this novel? 

Back in 2011 I took the Amtrak to Leavenworth, Washington and while I was there I visited a bed and breakfast. The B&B sparked something in me and a story began to grow in my head. A few months later, I stopped working on my series that takes place in Leavenworth, WA and wrote Island Refuge. 

Island Dreams is the second book in my Wildflower B&B Romance Series. This book continues the story of Zoe and Nick who we met in Island Refuge as well as introduces the new heroine Piper Hunt. When I started the series I had no idea there would be a story about a woman who wanted to develop a resort on the island. 

I knew I needed to pitch a series, so I brainstormed with my husband and we came up with the main story idea for Island Dreams and the third book Island Christmas. My husband is the best at brainstorming. 

Share a bit of your journey to publication. Was it short or long? 

I’d say a little long for my taste, but in reality it was only six years from the time I started writing to when I signed my first contract with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line. 

What would you do if you didn't write? 

I would be teaching piano lessons. I taught piano lessons for eighteen years and stopped the school year after my first book released. Who knows, maybe I’ll take it up again some day. I taught my eighteen-year-old son to play this past summer before he headed off to college a few weeks ago. He’s majoring in music and is required to know how to play the piano. It’s been a challenge at times to be both mom and teacher, but I love it! 

What makes you struggle as an author? How do you handle it? 

I’m not sure. There are a lot of challenges for me as an author. For example, my last contract had very tight deadlines. I wrote half of the third book in this series in just two weeks time due to a scheduling issue with my editor. It was the biggest challenge I have ever faced as a writer. What got me through though was lots of people praying for me and grit. I refuse to fail at something I put my mind to. I set a daily word count goal that I had to write in order to finish the book on time and still give me time to edit and proofread. 

Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook? 

LOL I write in my home. I sit either at my desk or in a recliner with my laptop. I like complete silence when I write, so writing in a public place doesn’t work well for me.  

Do you prefer the creating or editing aspect of writing? Why? 

Definitely the creating aspect is more fun for me. I love seeing the story play out in my mind for the very first time. Editing is where the real work comes in and that’s not fun to me. 

Do you consider yourself a visual writer? 

If so, what visuals do you use? I don’t really know what that means. I do see the story play out in my head if that’s what you mean, but I don’t use visual aids like pictures of celebrities. 

What are your top 3 recommendations for a new writer? 

Go to writer’s conferences, learn the craft and make friends, have patience, and keep your priorities straight. 

Then what 3 things would recommend not doing? 

Don’t spend years and years on the same manuscript. I know there are people who would disagree with this, but I don’t think working on the same manuscript every day for ten years is a good use of time. Yes, for a few, those manuscripts have been published, but generally speaking it’s not a good use of time. Don’t quite your day job. For most of us writing doesn’t pay well. I mentioned that I don’t teach piano anymore, but when the Heartsong line ended, I needed income, so I have a new “day job” now. Don’t let the constructive criticism of other writers throw you off path. Learn from what they say, or if it’s way off base toss it and move on. Writing is a tough business and being highly sensitive only hurts you. 

What's next for you? 

Island Christmas, the third book in Wildflower B&B Romance releases in October. I’m thrilled to have a Christmas book as part of this series. Insert your book's back cover copy here: Piper Hunt arrives on Wildflower Island to develop family property into an upscale resort knowing this may be her last chance to prove her worth to her father. With grandiose ideas, she soon finds herself at odds with adjoining property owner, Chase Grayson. As she begins to appreciate the simplicity of the island, she struggles to maintain balance between her father’s wishes, preserving the natural beauty of the island, and her attraction for Chase. 

Chase Grayson values the peace and quiet of Wildflower Island. That serenity is threatened when Piper Hunt discloses her plans to develop an upscale resort that not only butts up to his property, but will turn the island into a busy tourist destination. In fighting her plans, he also finds himself fighting his attraction to her. If he doesn’t stop her plans for the resort, his life will be altered forever. If he succeeds, it means he will never see her again. Can he live with either choice?

* * * * * * * * * * 

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her hunky hero husband have a full life with their children, a Maltese Menace, and a retired military working dog in beautiful Northern Virginia. 

She can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), Goodreads (www.goodreads.com/RonieK), Instagram (@kendigronie), and Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/roniek/)!

Ronie's upcoming release, Falcon, received 4.5 stars from RT Book Reviews: Kendig blows away fans...Falcon is a must-read!  

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My Winding Path to Publication

Author Kimberly Rose Johnson

Posted by Michelle Griep

No two writers’ journeys are the same. Here’s one author’s story of her road to writerly success. Meet author Kimberly Rose Johnson.

For most of us success doesn’t happen overnight. Most of us see success in increments over time. Perhaps the victory is so small we don’t even notice it except in hindsight.

As a newbie writer I attended my first writer’s conference in 2006. I didn’t know anyone there except one woman, Miralee Ferrell, whom I’d briefly met online and emailed a couple of times beforehand. When I saw her there I introduced myself. As it turned out we hit it off, became friends, then critique partners, and she is now my publisher. I certainly didn’t see that coming! It goes to show though, that you never know who or what will make a difference in your personal or your writing life.

We are in the midst of conference season, and once again I will be heading to the Oregon Christian Writer’s Conference where I received my first glimpse into how to write while sitting in a workshop taught by Randy Ingermannson, famous for his Snowflake method. After taking his class I went back to my room and wrote a short story based on what he taught. I then submitted to a mystery and suspense magazine—my first sale.

This little success was enough to keep me working hard for six more years until I sold my first novel to Harlequin’s Love Inspired Heartsong Present’s line. I then went on to sell four more books before they announced the line would close this June.

That announcement really messed with my head. It took several months before I could decide what I was going to do next. Then my good friend I met all those years ago asked if I would allow her to publish, Island Refuge, a book I’d written a couple of years ago. Not only did she want to publish that book, but she wanted it to be a series. I was cool with that. J I had the proposal already written up for a series and knew exactly what I would write. Island Dreams is the next book in the Wildflower B&B Series, and it will release in August.

That is how I came to be published by Mountain Brook Ink. My writing life has come full circle. My first friend in the writing world is now my publisher.  Talk about a winding path!

About the Book: Island Refuge

Five-Star-Chef Zoe Griffin walked away from her dream job. Did she make a mistake? 

Her engagement off, Zoe Griffin retreats to tiny Wildflower Island in the Puget Sound. Hiding out as a cook and maid at a shabby bed-and-breakfast seems crazy for a chef who’s used to running her own five-star kitchen. And just as she starts to feel at home, her klutzy mishaps make Zoe fear her handsome new boss will fire her. 

Dr. Nick Jackson is done with medicine, and owning a B&B is as far from doctoring as he can get. He needs help, but his only employee’s mistakes give him doubts. As Zoe lets her defenses down, Nick begins to see a competent and caring woman. One whose wounds are as deep as his own. But as they fall for each other, Nick and Zoe must learn the hardest lesson of all—to forgive. Only then can they heal the past and embrace the future . . . together. 

About the Author:

Kimberly Rose Johnson, soon to be empty-nester, lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their yellow lab. Island Refuge is her sixth published book and the first in a series of three. Kimberly enjoys long walks, chocolate, and mochas, not necessarily in that order. 

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Author Care: Three Things Every Writer Should Be Doing

By Kimberly Rose Johnson

Busyness is a common problem, especially among writers. We are often being pulled in several different directions from marketing, to writing on deadline or simply doing that everyday thing called life. The demands on our time can become overwhelming.

I know firsthand exactly how stressful this life we’ve chosen can be. I sold my first book in 2012 to Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents line, and it changed my life. I went from writing for fun, to writing because I had a deadline. To date I’ve contracted five books with Heartsong Presents. My seasoned critique partners warned me how difficult juggling all the demands on my time would be. Once my first book released, I understood the warning.

How are we supposed to do everything?

We can’t.

Problems are bound to pop up when we are over-worked and stressed out. We must take care of ourselves, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

There is no cure-all to our overly busy lives, but there are some things that we can do to ease the strain.

Take time out.

What that looks like will be different for each of us. For me it means waking up early so I can have some quiet time reading my Bible and thinking about how I can apply what I read to my life. It also means starting my day with a healthy meal. I also incorporate exercise into my day. Most of the time my exercise time is a walk with my husband and dog.

I realize we are often under tight deadlines, and it’s difficult to even consider the idea of working out, vegging out, or spending quality time with the Lord. But, I’m proof that these things matter. I’m not suggesting a huge chunk of time. Take a walk around the block, spend a small amount of time to savor something you enjoy. That may be ten minutes of reading, or a bubble bath or reading in a bubble bath. Be creative. We’re writers, that’s what we do. J

About a year ago, I realized on the days I skipped my morning devotions my writing time did not go well. It took me twice as long to accomplish the same word count as when I took ten to twenty minutes with the Lord. I’ve been known to cut that time to five minutes when very pressed for time, but for those five minutes I was focused on Him.

You are not God

Your time is finite and valuable. You cannot be all things to all people. You are one person. Translation, choose to invest your time only in what you are passionate about. I know we have things that are “required” of us as writers, but if it’s not your thing, delegate the task or skip it if it’s optional.

Learn to say no.

Do not over commit. It is tempting to take every speaking engagement, every blog opportunity, and every contract, but it’s not always the wise and best choice. Remember, we are not super humans. We each have the same number of hours to work with.

In conclusion, before committing to something ask yourself, “Is this something I need to do or want to do, or would it be best to pass?” Be honest with yourself and ask for help if you need it. 

Kimberly Rose Johnson is the author of:

A HOLIDAY PROPOSAL

Holly Miller Is Steering Clear of Mistletoe 

Just out of nursing school, Holly can't risk any distractions. She knows a slipup could cost a life. Like the mistake she made years ago that still plagues her conscience. When she runs into old high school friend Matthew Cook, she hesitates to let romance into her life. Even if the handsome baker is as delectable as his fabulous pastries. 

She didn't notice him back in high school, but things have sure changed. Now that Matthew has Holly's attention, maybe the holiday season is the perfect time for him to show her that she deserves to have it all—work, family, friends and a love that lasts a lifetime.

ABOUT KIMBERLY ROSE JOHNSON

Kimberly Rose Johnson holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two teenage sons, and their yellow lab. She writes sweet Christian romance for Heartsong Presents and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She enjoys taking long walks with her husband and dog, reading, dark chocolate and time with friends.

You may contact Kimberly via her website at http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

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