Author Julie Johnstone
How did you get your start?
I started creating stories in my head as a young girl. I was, of course, always the heroine in my stories who won the guy, the job and all the glory. I had no idea I wanted to be a writer, though. In college, I did write quite a lot of poetry and short stories, but other than publishing one or two in anthologies, I never did anything with them. I graduated in advertising and fancied myself to be the next big Nike ad creator, but a few years after graduation, I realized I couldn’t stand writing ads!
Naturally, I went back to school for a graduate degree, still not realizing my true calling would be writing novels. I spent the next eight years teaching school. One summer, I read my first historical romance novel, and I just fell into love with the genre. I honestly think all my years writing poetry, short stories, ads and then teaching English were the beginning of learning how really to be a writer.
Once I decided to actually write a novel, my skills were honed through countless hours of writing, re-writing, critiques by other published writers, contests where I got more critiques, and always, always continuing to chase that dream by sitting down in front of the computer and writing some more.
What led you to take the leap of faith into finishing a manuscript and seeing it through to publication?
I’m not sure I ever had a choice not to take the leap of faith in finishing the first manuscript and seeing it through to publication. I stumbled upon something I loved to do, realized how lucky I was to have actually found something I had a passion for, and knew I would always regret not trying to make it more than trying to make it and failing.
What has been the most unexpected part of your journey into professional writing?
I never considered what a strong bond and amazing friendships I would develop with my fellow critique partners. I see most of these women once every two years or once a year if I’m lucky, but my critique partners are some of my best friends. They are the people I want to tell first when anything good or bad happens in my writing career.
What are your professional goals for your future work as a novelist?
I’d like to write a book that makes the New York Times bestseller list! I would also like to write a book that someone tells me has changed their life or made them want to become a writer.
What advice would you give to other aspiring writers?
Write every day. Write when you don’t want to, don’t think you have time to or think you have nothing to say. Never give up. Know you will be rejected, but no matter what, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and learn from the rejection if you can.
How do you balance “mom guilt” with pursuing this professional passion?
Oh, that’s a hard one! But I think I have found something that usually works for me. I do not write once I pick up my kids from school, nor do I usually write on the weekends. And I don’t ever write on vacation. I used to try to do all of the above, and the guilt ate at me day and night!
Is there anything else you want to share?
The process itself is crazy if I really think about it. Or at least mine is. I plot out a novel, start to write it and almost always end up changing the plot, sometimes significantly. Sometimes, I wonder why I bother to plot, but I have come to realize it is just my way of really starting my wheels turning about my story. Once the wheels are turning, they often take me on roads I never expected, but the journey is always an amazing one!
To learn more about Johnstone’s work, visit juliejohhnstoneauthor.com or email juliejohnstoneauthor@gmail.com.
