Chasing Dreams via Kimberly Rose Johnson

Today please welcome author Kimberly Rose Johnson. 

In addition to writing, Kimberly and I share some common interests—specifically, coffee and dark chocolate. (Those alone can kick-start any relationship, right?)

Please sit back, settle in, and soak up the encouragement. For a few moments, turn off the noise and dream BIG. 

Take it away, Kimberly! 

 

Have you ever had a dream? What about a seemingly impossible dream, or perhaps possible, but incredibly difficult to accomplish? (Click-to-Tweet)

I’ve had all three. In fact I believe my dream to be a published author fit each of those at one stage or another as I was on my journey.

My journey to publication began back in 2006. The road I took to publication is not the most traveled path, but it’s the one the Lord put me on.

I never dreamed of being a writer until I was in my early thirties. One day a story started growing in my mind and I had to write it, so I did.

I had no idea what I was doing. I had no formal training as a writer, but I had a story. I worked on that story for over a year until I felt like it was ready for someone besides me to read. I gave it to my dad to read and he loved it. In fact he loved it so much, he paid to have it published. Gasp! I know, not the recommended path to follow, but I didn’t know any better. At that time in my life I didn’t even know how to use e-mail or log-in to the Internet.

That all being said, I learned a lot. I discovered there are writer’s groups that hold conferences and there are books that teach about writing.

I joined Oregon Christian Writers and attended their summer conference and rocketed onto the next leg of my journey.

The Lord gave me just enough success to keep me motivated and encouraged. At that first conference I learned how to write a scene. I went back to my room after that class and wrote a short story, which I sold to Mystery and Suspense Magazine. I was so excited! That motivated me to keep writing.

A new friend at that time invited me to join her online critique group. They were all well ahead of me in their writing careers, and though only one had been published, the other two soon followed. They mentored me and encouraged me every week with their critiques.

A couple of years passed and I had yet to sell anything other than that original short story.

I joined American Christian Fiction Writers and attended their conferences. I soaked in as much information as I could and kept growing as a writer. At each conference, the Lord placed key people in my life to encourage me.

However, after five years of spending money on conferences, online classes, editors, and books on the craft, I was ready to give up. Enough was enough. How long does a person chase a dream anyway? (Click-to-Tweet)

Up to that point I’d written YA and romantic suspense. My agent at that time asked me to give her something that was straight romance—no suspense.

I did what she asked and guess what? She sold it to Heartsong Presents! My dream was finally realized after six years of pursuit. There have been bumps in the road along the way. But at each step the Lord opened doors of opportunity. The closing of the Heartsong Presents line led me to being published by my current publisher. And guess what? I’m writing romantic mystery! It’s not suspense, but I’m having a great time and loving what I’m doing.

Now twelve years after my dream first began to grow, I have 18 published books. I’ve surpassed my original dream and have expanded my dreams. (Click-to-Tweet)

My next dream is for one of my books to be made into a movie.

What’s your dream?

 

Author Bio

Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Finalist, Kimberly Rose Johnson, married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly’s newsletter via her website at: www.kimberlyrjohnson.com

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kimberly-rose-johnson

Amazon: Find Kimberly’s books here

 

 

The Sleuth’s Miscalculation

Two strong-willed sleuths team up to solve a mystery. Can they work together, or will their differences pull them apart?

Librarian Nancy Daley loves a good mystery and enjoys moonlighting as a consultant for the sheriff’s department. When license plates go missing in Tipton County, she’s on the case. This time things are different—she’s been partnered with the new deputy, and he’s not interested in her help. To make matters worse, she’s angered the wrong person and is now being threatened.

Sheriff Deputy Carter Malone expects Tipton, Oregon to be a sleepy small-town, but he miscalculated. He’d come to town for a fresh start with his nephew—one without the issues big cities deal with. Had he made a mistake? To complicate matters, he’s told he must consult with the sheriff’s daughter, who is not in law enforcement. When the minor case they are working morphs into something more, things quickly go from harmless to scary.

Can they solve the mystery before it’s too late, and more importantly, what will they do about their growing attraction?

 

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PLEASE SHARE

 

Hey, writers! If you’re going to dream, dream BIG. Here’s why.

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Join writers groups and critique groups. Enlist the help of mentors. Increase your chances of success and never, ever stop dreaming. This is my story.

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ENCOURAGEMENT

 

Don’t Let Fear Stop You ~ Dream Big 

There’s always the fear of rejection. Move beyond it. Dream big. How to maximize the most of your dreams.

A Dose of Truth for the Weary Writer

Blaze old trails with new ideas. Encouragement for exhausted writers.

 

 

Original Image Credit: michaltrnka360/Pixabay

Headshot & Book Cover Image courtesy of Kimberly Rose Johnson

 

Writers or readers, do you have a dream? Please tell us about it! 

Whether writing or something entirely different, what steps are you taking to achieve your dream?

 

 

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We’re on an encouragement roll, my friend! Please scroll back through previous posts and check out all the wonderful insight here on the blog.

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See you back next week!

Much Love and Many Blessings,