Emily Johnson Interview Published on: 31, Aug 2021
What do you miss the most about Aspen, Colorado?
I miss the mountains, particularly in the late fall when the air is crisp, the aspen trees are yellow and the first dusting of snow falls.
At what age did you start learning ballet?I was three and continued up until I was 16. I played competitive golf at the same time and eventually golf became my main focus. I love ballet and even worked in the fundraising department of a professional company for several years.
Has graduating with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication helped you in your writing career?Yes, I think so. My career has mostly been in marketing and public relations, which is where the mass communication part comes in. Regardless of the style of writing - whether that be technical, journalistic, fiction or whatnot - you're still telling a story.
Is kickboxing a good martial art to learn how to defend myself?I love kickboxing. I love working out in general. It's a big part of who I am. It's a great way to relieve stress. You spend 60 minutes getting to kick or punch something and not get in trouble for it. I didn't originally start for self defence purposes, but it certainly applies.
What inspired you to write the novel, Bird of Paradise?My mom, Marilyn. She began writing Bird of Paradise when she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. It was a way for her to escape to another world while dealing with something that no one should have to deal with. She spent hours writing. After she passed away, I found a letter she had written asking me to finish the story for her. My mom never did anything unintentionally and I truly believe she intended it to be me who finished her story all along.
How difficult was it to finish writing The Bird of Paradise?It was and it wasn't at the same time. My mom and I have different writing styles and it was important to me to stay true to her style, as this was her book. I was determined that no one would be able to tell where she stopped and I started. I had to spend quite a bit of time getting to know her characters in order to be able to complete their story. But once I did, it just flowed from me. In order to meld it all together, I had to go back to parts she had written and add in my own pieces here and there - a few conversations or events that needed to happen to connect the entire story together. I like to think she would be happy where I took her story.
Who first came up with the character of Arianna, a Heywood daughter?That was my mom. There's actually quite a bit in the characters that is based on her life and the lives of those around her. Little Easter eggs for those who knew her and her family to find. I added in a few myself and that was a lot of fun. The entire book is her legacy. When I read it, I hear her voice in the words and characters. There is one character that she never had a chance to develop. All I knew was the name and it was a lot of fun for me to create the character from the ground up.
What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?Well, there's always spelling and grammar. Attention to detail in fictional writing is important as well. But I think the most important is really the author's belief in their writing. You can always tell when a writer truly believes in what they are writing and as a reader, I think that is very important.
What is your writing kryptonite? Inversely, what is something that never fails to inspire you?My writing kryptonite is time. I have a six year old and a full time job in marketing and consulting, so it's hard to find uninterrupted time to write. My mom inspires me, the places I've travelled and music. I had to listen to music while I was writing. A lot of Josh Groban, Sidney Bechet, Sinatra and piano music.
What's something on your bucket list that you think is unique?That's a good question. I've always wanted to hike the West Highland Way in Scotland. I'd also like to play St. Andrews. I've played golf since I was eight. I suppose that's on any golfer's bucket list.
What has been the most important lesson you've learned as a writer so far?To be fearless and not afraid to write what you want. It's important to write for yourself with your voice, not the voice of what you think people want.
Which is the easiest to learn for a beginner — skiing or snowboarding?Skiing without a doubt. Snowboarding has a short but VERY steep learning curve. Now that I live on the east coast, I don't get a chance to do either much anymore. Skiing is definitely the easier one to jump back into after a long break as well.
If there’s one genre you never see yourself doing, what would it be and why?Fantasy or paranormal. It's not that I don't like the genres, it's just not something I think I could write well.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book?I am thinking of writing a spin-off of Bird of Paradise. I have a general outline in my head, but my son did virtual kindergarten last year and with how busy I've been, I just haven't had time to sit down and begin. Beginning is one of the hardest things to do!
When did you join AllAuthor? What do you think of the experience so far? Do you have any feedback?I joined about 5 months ago, not long after Bird of Paradise was published. I think it's been great. The access to social media postings and gif reviews has made things easier and I think it's a good vehicle to help market a book, especially for an unknown author.
