Join me this today as I welcome Johnnie Alexander back to the Suspense Sister's blog!
Now onto my interview with Johnnie.
You’ve been published for several years now. What has being published taught you?
I’ve given a lot of thought to this question. I believe my publishing journey has taught me to face multiple fears. The biggest is the fear of failure but there’s also the fear of rejection, of negative reviews, of meeting deadlines, of writing a story that doesn’t resonate with readers. It’s all scary.
What is your favorite part about writing? Least favorite.
My favorite aspect of writing is imagining a new story, but that’s followed closely by going through final revisions. My least favorite is when I struggle with the first chapter. Those opening pages need to establish characters, tone, setting, pace—they’re so important.
I definitely want them to be engaging so that readers would rather stay up all night turning pages instead of sleeping. (LOL!)
I agree. Here's the first line of The Cryptographer's Dilemma: “Green or brown. Brown or green. Phillip Clayton set the unwrapped crayon upright on the diner’s Formica tabletop so it stood like a mocking sentinel.”
Panster or Plotter?
Depends on the story! I write regularly for Annie’s Fiction, a publisher who sells a variety of series on a subscription basis. A chapter summary for a contracted story needs to be approved by the series editor. So I’m definitely a plotter when I write a novel for Annie’s.
I love it because most of the story development occurs upfront.
That’s why I always intend to create a chapter summary when I write for a different publisher. But it never…never…never happens! I revert to my pre-Annie’s pantser ways.
I love it because the story develops organically during the writing process.
Either way, characters surprise me and the unexpected happens. To me, that’s a heart-tugging, soul-satisfying thrill.
You write in several genres. Pluses and minuses?
Writing in different genres stretches my creativity and allows me to explore a variety of stories and a variety of ways to tell a story. I also grow as a writer since each genre has its own reader expectations.
The downside is that it’s more of a challenge to become one of the “known” authors of a specific genre. That’s offset to some extent because readers read different genres, and thankfully I’ve connected with many who enjoy my stories whether they’re historical or contemporary, romance or suspense.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?
Two things: 1) Persist in your dreams and trust God to guide your path. 2) Become part of the writing community by attending conferences and joining writers groups (either online or in-person).
What’s next from Johnnie Alexander?
Over the next couple of years, I’m writing more cozy mysteries and contemporary romances for Annie’s Fiction plus the second novel in my indie-published Rose & Thorne Series (light-hearted suspense).
Depends on the story! I write regularly for Annie’s Fiction, a publisher who sells a variety of series on a subscription basis. A chapter summary for a contracted story needs to be approved by the series editor. So I’m definitely a plotter when I write a novel for Annie’s.
I love it because most of the story development occurs upfront.
That’s why I always intend to create a chapter summary when I write for a different publisher. But it never…never…never happens! I revert to my pre-Annie’s pantser ways.
I love it because the story develops organically during the writing process.
Either way, characters surprise me and the unexpected happens. To me, that’s a heart-tugging, soul-satisfying thrill.
You write in several genres. Pluses and minuses?
Writing in different genres stretches my creativity and allows me to explore a variety of stories and a variety of ways to tell a story. I also grow as a writer since each genre has its own reader expectations.
The downside is that it’s more of a challenge to become one of the “known” authors of a specific genre. That’s offset to some extent because readers read different genres, and thankfully I’ve connected with many who enjoy my stories whether they’re historical or contemporary, romance or suspense.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?
Two things: 1) Persist in your dreams and trust God to guide your path. 2) Become part of the writing community by attending conferences and joining writers groups (either online or in-person).
What’s next from Johnnie Alexander?
Over the next couple of years, I’m writing more cozy mysteries and contemporary romances for Annie’s Fiction plus the second novel in my indie-published Rose & Thorne Series (light-hearted suspense).
You can find purchase links for The Cryptographer's Dilemma here.
Thanks so much for joining us on the Suspense Sister's blog today, Johnnie. On a personal note to readers, Johnnie Alexander was on of my first critque partners. We met online in late 2009 in an American Christian Writer's critique group and when that ended, we continuted to stay in contact. At one time, she lived fairly close to me (within a hundred miles) and we saw each other on a regular basis.
Johnnie is giving away a copy of The Criptograper's Dilemma to one lucky reader who leaves a comment. You can comment or answer a question--Do you follow genres or authors? Be sure to leave your contact information! And for another chance for The Criptograper's Dilemma, hop over to my blog and read my review and leave a comment.
I do follow both genre and authors. Think everyone has one or two genre that they are partial to, but it's good to step our of your zone sometimes because you might be surprised on what's out there. I have several authors that I love their writing style and books and am always looking for the next one to come out, but I'm also excited to try a new author - who might become one of my favorites to search out.
ReplyDelete"The Cryptographer's Dilemma" sounds like a wonderful book an was already on my TBR list. Love the cover too. Can't wait for the opportunity to dive in reading.
Enjoyed reading the interview which allows us to get to know the author even better.
Thank you for the marvelous opportunity to win a copy of the book! Shared but hoping to be the fortunate one selected.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Kay, The Cryptographer's Dilemma is a great book! Thanks for sharing.
DeleteHi, Kay. So glad you enjoyed the interview and hope you get a chance to read The Cryptographer's Dilemma. Thank you!!!
DeleteI follow many authors that I enjoy and Historical fiction is my favorite genre but I read many genres to mix it up. I already have this on my wish list as I would love to read. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteLucy, historical mysteries are my favorite.
DeleteLucy! So glad to see you around the web-sphere!
DeleteI love historical fiction and am eager to read The Cryptographer's Dilemma! In answer to the question, I follow both genres and authors. If I enjoy a novel by an author, I tend to read others by that same author. However, I do have my favorite genres, for example: historical fiction, contemporary fiction, women's fiction, Southern fiction, and read more of those types of novels than any others. susiesellner at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI follow authors, too, Susie-Q.
DeleteHi, Susie. I like to read a variety of genres, too. So glad you stopped by!
DeleteI am more of a follower of a favorite author than a genre. I would say historical fiction is my favorite genre, but if a favorite author writes something contemporary you can bet I’m gonna read it.
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Patty, I love everything Johnnie writes. :-)
DeleteHi, Patty! Love your answer!!
DeleteAnd Pat! Love you, friend!
This book has been on my list, for the future, as the topic sounds very intriguing! Would love to win a print copy! Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Lual Krautter Email: krautter62520AToutlookDOTcom
ReplyDeleteLual, you'll love this book!
DeleteHi, Lual! Glad to know that The Cryptographer's Dilemma is on your reading list. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWow, this sounds like a great read! I love the sound of it and the book cover is Beautiful, I love it! Thank you for sharing about it, I will be adding it to my TBR list. aliciabhaney(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
ReplyDeleteHi, Alicia. I love the book cover, too. Barbour did a great job! And thanks for adding the novel to your TBR list. Yay!
Deletesounds like another great book! sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI do follow quite a few authors.
DeleteHi, Shelia! I think it's a great book--not that I'm biased! LOL!!! So glad you stopped by!
DeleteMost of the time, I follow authors in a specific genre. Part of that is because most authors write in one particular genre. It is interesting to follow an author thay writes in more than one genre. It takes a different skill set and creative mindset to do that. racheltirzah(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHi, Rachel. You're right--there's definitely a benefit to sticking to one genre and building that fan base. I'm thankful, though, for the different path that God has given me. It's an adventure!! Thanks for participating in the giveaway.
Deletedepends on the book
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Hey!! Appreciate your comment and so glad you're here!
DeleteI do both - follow authors whose work I love and my favorite genres!
ReplyDeleteamybradsher at gmail dot com
Hi, Amy. Thanks for stopping by and participating in the giveaway!
DeleteI used to work at a newspaper so this one intrigues me. I love all kinds of books. Mainly mysteries, suspense and romance.
ReplyDeleteHi, Diana! I love all kinds of books, too. Thanks for being here!
ReplyDeleteI usually follow authors who write in a genre I like. If the author has written a series, I like to read the whole series. This title sounds like it would be a great read!
ReplyDeleteHi, Martha! I like to read series, too, but it can be hard to be patient for the next book to come out sometimes! Thanks for stopping by!
Delete