Author Interview with CJ Johnson - Author of the Self-Help / Poetry / Women's Fiction Woman Steps In Poetry and Prose.
CJ Johnson writes poetry and fiction for women to laugh, heal, and feel empowered. She enjoys writing about themes that touch upon feminism, class, and race relations. Her fiction writing always pits bad girls against belles, and enjoys letting readers discover who comes out on top. Her written poetry works to explore the emotions of women, in particular. Using each word to carry weight and convey imagery for self-expression and self-discovery. Her non-fiction writing aims to always educate in the areas of personal development and health & fitness. She is a certified health nut and former high school English teacher.
Interview with CJ Johnson
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| Author CJ Johnson |
CJ Johnson: My writing background is as a freelance copywriter. I have been a copywriter since early 2011. It is around that time that I started writing creatively again. In my teens and early twenties I wrote poetry like a mad woman, but abandoned it because I bought into the hype that creative writing was too self-indulgent. I had no one in my life to support my writing endeavors. Sadly, I didn’t pick up the pen again for nearly a decade.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
My favorite poets are Gwendolyn Brooks, Rita Dove, and June Jordan, and as of late, Emily Dickinson (cliché I know). For fiction, my all time favorite author is Anne Rice, followed by Jackie Collins (who doesn’t love a sky high glam read), John Grisham, Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison.
My favorite books are; The Feast of All Saints by Anne Rice, She’s Come Undone, by Wally Lamb, The Best of Simple, by Langston Hughes, Lady Boss, by Jackie Collins, and The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison.
"I said 'enough is enough, I can write' [...]"
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I knew that I wanted to at least write scripts, chap books, and maybe novels down the line when I was about eighteen, but like I said, I abandoned that aspiration. It was not until I turned thirty a few years back and struggled with gaining stable employment that paid more than $12 bucks an hour (I was laid-off as a History teacher in 2008) that I said “enough is enough, I can write, I can be born again.” Professional dead ends tend to either make you or break you, and I allowed mine to lead to my coming out party as a professional writer.
I mainly reserve the afternoons to write creatively and use the mornings or late nights to write for my copywriting clients. Either coffee or tea must accompany me to begin my writing activities for the day along with 90s rock, 80s hip-hop, or Miles Davis on Spotify. I do not watch much TV and only turn it on around 8pm. I write from home mostly but about twice a week I go to different coffee shops for a few hours just to get out of the house.
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
What I find easiest about writing is idea creation, which I am sure most writers have no shortage of when it comes to the writing that lives in their dreams. I would say the most challenging is outlining. Characters can start to take strange turns even during this process and I struggle to stay true to them. Poetry comes the easiest for me to whip out, but I can also take awhile (sometimes months) to tweak and polish the poem. And oh, forcing myself to write at least 2,000 words a day can be a challenge too.
CJ, please tell us a little about your Book 'Woman Steps In Poetry and Prose'.
I like to think of the book as self-help with a poetic feminist slant. The book is comprised of poems, creative non-fiction, and flash fiction, that all work in conjunction to celebrate womanhood. Those that read the book should be able to walk away with a more reflective look at them selves while embracing the resilience of women altogether. I use doses of confessional poetry and from the perspective of a narrator as well.
.jpg "Woman Steps In Poetry and Prose (CJ Johnson)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
I was inspired to write the book because as a woman, these past few years, I’ve grown increasingly critical of how women are treated in society. I’ve really put my sociological lenses on and have been disappointed at the criticism of women and the lack of sisterhood and support in the intimate areas of a woman’s life. I was also struggling to find who I really am as a woman when I began writing the book. Too many women in my life, myself included, work non-stop to take care of others, while neglecting their own self-worth. I began writing this book to chronicle these emotions and experiences.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
In the epilogue of the book I share that:
I wrote this book for women that are lovers of; poetic words, cherished healing, quiet thoughts, screaming emotions, and beautiful pride.
Overall, I would say my target audience is women (and men) that embrace and/or appreciate feminism. Of course, being a lover of poetry helps, but I tried to write poems and prose that would appeal to those that are lovers of literary writing and that read with an open mind. I know that can be in the shape of a number of readers because just as I adore the poet Rita Dove, I can also read a Danielle Steele novel in one weekend.
How would you describe the success of your book so far? (Sales, Awards, Reviews) How long did it take it to write the book?
Well, I just released the book this past Friday (4/19) on Amazon, so the jury is still out. But I did have over 300 folks read my sneak peak of the book on Scribd last week (I know for many self-published authors, even newbies, that’s peanuts, but I am just over the moon that I completed this book and published it).
I began writing the poems, creative non-fiction, and flash fiction that made its way in the book during the summer of 2011. I completed the book, literally, about a week before beginning the publishing process.
Please, tell us where you self-published the book.
At first I was going to go the Smash Words route, but decided to self-publish with Amazon and enter the book into the Kindle Direct Publishing program. I am finishing a YA novelette and think I will give Smash Words a shot for the next go round.
"I am thrilled with having the liberty to self-publish [...]"
How smooth went the self-publishing process? Any issues? What are things to look for when self-publishing a book?
I am thrilled with having the liberty to self-publish, but the actual book formatting was a real challenge. I foolishly, did not research this area enough. Plus, I believe poetry is a neglected area that doesn’t really get enough exposure with the “how to self-publish” crowd. No one really talks about poetry on the self-publishing blogs and websites. I believe that is why I assumed it would be fairly easy to format. But boy, it was frustrating to format. I believe I had to make six uploads to Kindle to ensure the poems looked presentable in the e-book version. Fiction can start at any point on a page, but poetry needs to look clean and be aligned on a page. Presentation is half of the beauty of reading poetry. Proper formatting is crucial. It will shape the reader’s experience.
Did you hire an editor and/or Cover Designer for your book?
I did not hire an editor. I shared my work with various writing groups on Google Plus that I am active in, schoolteachers, and of course my beloved. But, I will defitnely at least bring beta readers on board going forward.
I hired a cover designer from Fiverrr, and I am not ashamed to admit that either. I have found some incredibly talented folks on Fiverrr. I will however, do a better job at actively sourcing more talented indie designers for future covers.
"The idea of the author platform is very real and no joke."
Can you give some tips for other Indie Authors regarding the writing and self-publishing process?
My advice is to really jump into the social media waters. I am really just now doing so. The idea of the author platform is very real and no joke. If you have a weak online presence it can be tough to be discovered and to become relevant to the people that would be your target audience.
I would also recommend, sharing your work with other writers at an early stage in your projects. Build a cartel (I am currently taking an online course on this very subject, the website is: Story Cartel, check it out) fast, and be a leader.
And of course, either get a firm grasp on book formatting (even though I believe it probably comes easier over time) or hire someone to do it for you. As an indie author you need to outsource as much as you can that pertains to promoting and crafting your book, to free up your time so you can build your brand.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I’ve got the indie author bug now, and I am most defitnely working on another project, several in fact.
My next publishing effort will be a serial YA novel titled, Jourdan, about a seventeen girl that lives her life by a web of rules to get what she wants. She’s a real bad girl, and I have loved developing her narrative. I will be uploading a novelette in the series every two weeks on Smash Words. Is that ambitious, heck yes, but I am up for the challenge. Plus it makes me push further to my goal of writing for TV in the future.
If I can write and publish (produce) two stories a month that are a part of an on-going story line then I know I will be able to write for TV when (hopefully) the time comes. I got the idea from a retired copywriter I began following years ago named, Sean M Platt. He “produces” a serial weekly with his writing partner. He’s on fire and I love that.
I am also working on my next poetry collection titled, Made Forth Worth, Pretty. I have a poem and a piece of prose in, Woman Steps that begins that story line. So it’s basically, a continuation.
I’ve also got another ode to womanhood in the works, but in the form of a true self-help book.
Are you planning to move forward as an Indie author or are you looking forward to have one of your next books to be traditionally published?
I am planning to move forward as an indie author, no doubt. The internet has been so democratizing, and constantly inspires me with the boundless possibilities it holds.
I am applying to a few MFA programs at the moment for a concentration in poetry and screenwriting, and I do believe that in a couple of years I will seriously pursue securing a literary agent. Especially, as someone that writes poetry, I believe the genre lives better in the literary press world, versus the mainstream market.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I believe that small presses will flourish, while the giant houses will suffer because readers are going in two directions and authors are following suit. Readers want to read affordable e-books wherever they are, and they want either non-fiction “news you can use” or quick commercial fiction (which is perfect for e-readers). Incredibly talented authors who write non-fiction and commercial fiction will see no need to pursue those big publishers as heavily because the turn-around to get to print is too time consuming. Readers want follow-ups quickly. We are falling in love with authors faster than ever and in a never before seen way. Plus the income stream can be more lucrative as a self-publisher.
Small presses will always have their market, because there will always be highly literary readers. This is where small presses can continue to capitalize on their cache. They just need to become even more open to publishing their authors with the straight to e-reader route while also continuing to publish beautifully bound and packaged print books.
Of course with the craze of e-books, yes, big box brick and mortar bookstores will continue to shutter. I do believe that we may witness a spring up of very small specialty bookstores in growing literary hubs in the US, like in; Portland, Oregon, Asheville, North Carolina, Austin, Texas, Madison, Wisconsin, and Savannah, Georgia.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job?
Well, technically, I do write full-time, since I am a freelance copywriter. But I do aspire to have my published books or writing for film to serve as my sole income in the next five years.
How can readers connect with you?
The best way that readers can connect with me is through:
Twitter: @cjjohnsonwrites
Email: cjjohnsonwrites@gmail.com
Blog: authorcjjohnson.blogspot.com
Website: cjjohnsonwrites.net
Thanks for allowing me to share my author journey!
Thank you very much for the Interview, CJ.
About the Book Woman Steps In Poetry and Prose
.jpg "Woman Steps In Poetry and Prose (CJ Johnson)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
Woman Steps In Poetry and Prose sharply brings into focus the joys and woes of womanhood. Wit and wisdom satire, confessional poetry, and flash fiction are used to tell the tales of women. You may find yourself saying "did she really put that in print" while shaking your head, but you will defitnely have more than a few "You Go, Girl" moments as you turn from page, to page.
While poetry and prose are the styles used, it easily falls under the self-help umbrella as well. Simply because it's overall goal is to empower women to look at themselves, while being a champion for sisterhood.
Links to the Book
Link to the Paperback Woman Steps In Poetry and Prose with Excerpt on Amazon
Link to the eBook Woman Steps In Poetry and Prose with Excerpt on Amazon
1 comment:
Thanks Alan for allowing me the opportunity to share with your audience this morning!
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