Ask the Author: Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant
Answered Questions (6)
Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant
The last book I published was 27 Flagship Cove. I've always been a NCIS, SVU, and Discovery ID watcher. And I told myself, I want to do that, I think I can do that. I'm a police ride-along offender, so after a ride-a-long with the Greensboro Police Department and pursuing a crime suspect and making an arrest, my adrenaline was flying high. When I was younger and lived in Denver, Colorado, I applied for the Police Academy. That coupled with a dozen other factors and my excitement allowed me to write 27 Flagship Cove and afterwards, I decided to create a series out of it.
Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant
Since I can remember I've had a love affair with words. When I was a little girl, I journaled when I could, and when I could find a place to hide it so my mother wouldn't find it. In high school, I loved English, writing papers and the such, and was a writer for a band that I belonged to. I can't remember a time when I didn't like to write. When people started telling me I was good at it, my confidence soared and I stepped out of my comfort zone and wrote more.
Now? Anything can spark my writing inspiration. Something can happen in my life and it will inspire me to write. I like to people watch and that in itself comes with enough material to keep me busy for a life time.
My mind is always going a mile a minute so ideas actually do pop into my head out of nowhere. Many of them, I think God places there. Some, I know he does not.
Now? Anything can spark my writing inspiration. Something can happen in my life and it will inspire me to write. I like to people watch and that in itself comes with enough material to keep me busy for a life time.
My mind is always going a mile a minute so ideas actually do pop into my head out of nowhere. Many of them, I think God places there. Some, I know he does not.
Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant
I'm working on a few projects. I am finding it challenging because I have am now raising my 4-year-old granddaughter. Trying to run a business, raise a child (my babies are 23 and 26), homeschool that child, be a wife, keep house, dealing with health issues, while trying to be present in all other activities and still find time to write is a challenge.
With that said, I'm working on the 2nd book in the Tommie Lane Mystery Series. I'm working a series of children's books, inspired by my granddaughter. We are working on a cookbook for the Holidays and I am working on a couple of non-fiction and business books.
My goal is to have 2-3 of those titles out between now and the end of the year. Keep me in your prayers.
With that said, I'm working on the 2nd book in the Tommie Lane Mystery Series. I'm working a series of children's books, inspired by my granddaughter. We are working on a cookbook for the Holidays and I am working on a couple of non-fiction and business books.
My goal is to have 2-3 of those titles out between now and the end of the year. Keep me in your prayers.
Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant
I say this all the time when dealing with potential clients and others who come to me saying they want to be a writer. The first thing that comes out of my mouth is, "How much research have you done?" In most cases, the answer is, none. I cannot express how important it is to research; constant research.
The next thing I'd say is, just write! Starting out, writers are so worried about format, placement, flow, appearance, etc., of their their words. All that time spent could have been time spent getting the words on paper. Don't worry about all that right now. Get those words out of your head. All of the other things won't matter if there are no words. You'll have time to worry about that later.
One thing that surprises me when I talk to aspiring writers is when I ask them what they like to read, they tell me they don't read. Say what? Reading is imperative to being an author. Read those books in your genre or others. Reading not only exposes you to different writing styles, but it keeps you current.
Look for mentors and follow other authors, especially those that write in the same genre. Many authors do help others and share valuable information. It's important to take advantage of that information. You do this by following and building a relationship (professional of course) with the author. Like their Facebook Page, Follow them on Twitter, Subscribe to their newsletters, attend book signings, book fairs and book conferences. If you ask an author an extensive question, some may answer, and some may charge you a consultation free. Please don't be offended by this. Authors are very busy people. Some of us write full time and have our own businesses, and own lives. Others may still work for a corporation. This is why it is important to pay close attention and take advantage of the free resources they may offer.
Invest in a good dictionary, thesaurus and the Chicago Manual of Style. Invest in your writing, period.
The next thing I'd say is, just write! Starting out, writers are so worried about format, placement, flow, appearance, etc., of their their words. All that time spent could have been time spent getting the words on paper. Don't worry about all that right now. Get those words out of your head. All of the other things won't matter if there are no words. You'll have time to worry about that later.
One thing that surprises me when I talk to aspiring writers is when I ask them what they like to read, they tell me they don't read. Say what? Reading is imperative to being an author. Read those books in your genre or others. Reading not only exposes you to different writing styles, but it keeps you current.
Look for mentors and follow other authors, especially those that write in the same genre. Many authors do help others and share valuable information. It's important to take advantage of that information. You do this by following and building a relationship (professional of course) with the author. Like their Facebook Page, Follow them on Twitter, Subscribe to their newsletters, attend book signings, book fairs and book conferences. If you ask an author an extensive question, some may answer, and some may charge you a consultation free. Please don't be offended by this. Authors are very busy people. Some of us write full time and have our own businesses, and own lives. Others may still work for a corporation. This is why it is important to pay close attention and take advantage of the free resources they may offer.
Invest in a good dictionary, thesaurus and the Chicago Manual of Style. Invest in your writing, period.
Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant
I am an avid communicator. I believe everyone has their own communication style. Even though I am a pubic speaker, my communicating style is writing. I can express myself with my writing. Unlike speaking, once I've written something, I can go back and review and re-write it. Unlike with speaking, once you say it, that's it, you can't take it back.
In addition to expression, it allows me to earn an income.
Lastly, I am able to live vicariously through my characters. It's the only place I can run someone over with a car and not go to jail. It also allows me to share with others.
In addition to expression, it allows me to earn an income.
Lastly, I am able to live vicariously through my characters. It's the only place I can run someone over with a car and not go to jail. It also allows me to share with others.
Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant
I believe that each person has their own definition for writer's block, none of which are wrong.
My definition of writer's block is when I'm working on any one manuscript and I cannot seem to go any further from the point at which I am at the time.
I combat that by doing one of three things:
1. I use an outline for my story lines. If I'm stuck on one part of a manuscript, I will use that outline to skip to a different portion of the story line and then come back when I am able.
2. As a writer, I have a least 20 working manuscripts. (Yes, that many). I will put the manuscript I am working aside and work on another manuscript, until I am able to come back to the previous one I was working on.
3. I'll take my cell phone (it has a recorder on it) and go to the park, take a walk outside, play with my granddaughter or something else that I like to do. I keep the recorder just in case this sparks an idea that I can implement into my story line.
My definition of writer's block is when I'm working on any one manuscript and I cannot seem to go any further from the point at which I am at the time.
I combat that by doing one of three things:
1. I use an outline for my story lines. If I'm stuck on one part of a manuscript, I will use that outline to skip to a different portion of the story line and then come back when I am able.
2. As a writer, I have a least 20 working manuscripts. (Yes, that many). I will put the manuscript I am working aside and work on another manuscript, until I am able to come back to the previous one I was working on.
3. I'll take my cell phone (it has a recorder on it) and go to the park, take a walk outside, play with my granddaughter or something else that I like to do. I keep the recorder just in case this sparks an idea that I can implement into my story line.
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