Ask the Author: Janet Sumner Johnson

“Ask me a question.” Janet Sumner Johnson

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Janet Sumner Johnson The mom paused from reading to listen. Her twins were awfully quiet in their room . . .
Janet Sumner Johnson This is a tough question, because there are so many places I'd love to go! So assuming we put all things Harry Potter aside (because that's just a given), at this very moment, I think I would love to go to Mr. Lemoncello's Library and take advantage of all the super cool features. Talk to some holographic historical figures. Try out the cool lifts that carry you to whatever book you need in the large central room. Play a couple of games in the interactive learning center. So many cool things to do!
Janet Sumner Johnson I love to mix things up with new releases like The Explorers by Adrienne Kees, old book friends like The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, and classics that I somehow haven't yet read like The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Janet Sumner Johnson The best thing is hands down getting to interact with kids and to listen to them tell me about the book they wrote with shiny, excited eyes. And I love telling kids to not be afraid to dream and that success is possible. Kids are the best. They are why I love being an author so much.
Janet Sumner Johnson This totally depends. If I really have to finish something, I put words to paper, one awful word at a time. It's slow and painful, but it usually gets me through the hard spot so I can keep writing. Then I can go back to the problem spot later.

But sometimes, if I'm not on a deadline, and I'm miserable trying to write, I take a break. I run. I read. I play tennis. I watch TV. Anything that is not writing. Or maybe I will write something that is not THAT. A journal entry, a blog post, a letter to someone, an email. Giving myself time away lets me relax, and lets the problem marinate until I've found the solution.

I don't think there is a one-size fits all to writer's block. :)
Janet Sumner Johnson Sandra, you are my new favorite person. Thank you! So kind/wonderful of you to take the time to come to Goodreads to say this to me!

Being a stay-at-home mom definitely has it's challenges (the energy-suck being a major one!), but writing keeps me sane. So hopefully there will be many more books to come!
Janet Sumner Johnson Living life inspires me to write. Things that make me feel emotions inspire me to write. Joyful moments. Painful moments. Confusing moments. When I'm trying to figure out what I think or how I feel about something . . . that inspires me to write.

I struggle expressing myself in speech sometimes, but writing makes me think. Makes me search for just the right words. And the effort brings a clarity of thought. Sometimes I have to tell a story to figure out what I think. I have to watch my characters face an issue, and see how they deal with it and how it affects them. It's one of the reasons I love writing so much.
Janet Sumner Johnson My upcoming book was inspired by my childhood and the recent housing market crash. In short, I wondered how kids would deal with all the uncertainty that a foreclosure can bring.

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