AUTHOR THURSDAYS WITH Johnnie Alexander…

Patricia Bradley Author Thursday, Writing 28 Comments

Johnnie AlexanderJohnnie Alexander writes inspiring stories that linger in the heart. Where Treasure Hides, her debut novel, won the ACFW Genesis Contest (2011). She also has won Best Novel and Best Writer awards (Florida Christian Writers Conferences), and Bronze Medalist (My Book Therapy Frasier Contest). A graduate of Rollins College (Orlando) with a Master of Liberal Studies degree, Johnnie treasures family memories, classic movies, road trips, and stacks of books. She lives in the Memphis area with a small herd of alpacas and Rugby, the princely papillon who trees raccoons.

I’d like to see Rugby tree a racoon!

I asked Johnnie some questions.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

 Where Treasure Hides began as a 2009 National Novel Writing Month project and was published first as an ebook in 2013.

Where She Belongs began as a 2005 National Novel Writing Month project and will be published in January 2015.

What is the name of your latest book, and how would you summarize it in less than 20 words?

 Where Treasure Hides

A talented artist protects art from Nazi looters while the man she loves fights against Hitler’s evil regime.

Do you have a writing routine?

The routine varies according to the story, the deadline, and where I am in the process.

For my current WIP, I wrote about a third of the story, then went back to the beginning to edit and revise. When I was about two-thirds through the story, I started over once again, editing and revising.

I finished the story, met with my First Readers Team, and now I’m going through the story one more time before my September 1st deadline.

Deadlines can be terrifying! 

Have you ever gotten stuck in a story? What did you do to get past the “block”?

 I think there’s a difference between getting stuck and a “block.” Sometimes it’s best to step away from the story and do something else like play a game on my phone or even take a walk.

But other times, I just need to stay at the laptop and work it out. My mantra in those times is: a bad sentence is better than no sentence. It’s corollary is, paraphrasing Ayn Rand: You can’t revise a sentence you haven’t written.

So write! Even if it’s bad.

I so agree. You can’t edit what you haven’t written!

What’s on your TBR Table?

So many books! Both in my shelves and in my Kindle.

I’m currently reading Ann Tatlock’s I’ll Watch the Moon which is terrific. I love Ann’s lyrical writing.

Next up: Midnight on the Mississippi by Mary Ellis and The Silver Star by Jeanette Walls.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?

Three things:

  1. Attend writing conferences.
  2. Find competent critique partners.
  3. Enter reputable contests for the feedback.

Great advice!

Do you have another project in the works? If so, what is it?

 I’m preparing for the January release of my first contemporary romance, Where She Belongs (Misty Willow Series) and putting the finishing touches to the manuscript for the second book.

Before starting the third book in the series, I’m headed to 1870s Nebraska to write a novella for Barbour’s Courageous Brides Collection which releases next July.

I can’t wait to read all three of these books!

How can people contact you?

Blog

Facebook Profile (Friend or Follow!)

Facebook Author Page

Twitter

GoodReads

Amazon Author Page

Johnnie is giving away a copy of Where Treasure Hides–print copy for Continental USA and an e-copy everywhere else. Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

 

where-treasure-hides-682x1024-new-cover

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments 28

  1. Terrill Harris Rosado

    Johnnie – I can’t wait to see your contemporary romance.

    Currently on my tbr bedside table is:

    Angel With Steel Wings by Anne Greene
    Brentwood’s Ward by Michelle Griep
    Once Beyond a Time by Ann Tatlock
    Dream Things True by Marie Marquardt
    and Accidental Fiance by Mary Moore

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    2. Johnnie Alexander

      Hi, Terrill. I recently read Once Upon a Time and absolutely loved it. I think it’s my favorite Ann Tatlock book. Though I’m reading I’ll Watch the Moon right now and it’s wonderful, too. Great suggestions–I need a book-cation.

      1. Terrill Harris Rosado

        I didn’t include my Kindle which has Patricia’s book, Matthew’s Choice. 🙂 I had to buy (had to, wink) Patricia’s first two books in the Logan series, b/c I won Gone Without a Trace and I am obsessive about reading books in order whether or not they can stand alone. I’m kind of excited that the kids go back to school this week so that I have more reading time. Does that make me a bad mom?

      1. Johnnie Alexander

        Okay, stalker-ladies, here’s the deal. Sometime you need to come see us when Patricia and I are at the same event. We’re both doing workshops at the 2016 MidSouth Christian Writers Conference and we’ll be at book festival at a Memphis library next April. We’ll probably be getting together at a few other places, too, so keep an eye out. If at all possible, we’d love to meet you. (Just to be clear to everyone, I used the term “stalker-ladies” in the kindest possible way. LOL)

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      Patricia Bradley

      Don’t you just love auto-correct, Elaine! I think it’s going to kill me. About Johnnie’s book. I’ve loved it since the first time I read it as her critique partner. She is an amazing writer!

      1. Johnnie Alexander

        Hi, Elaine. I don’t think that at all! I’m so glad to see you here. (Besides, having groupies sounds kinda fun LOL). Kristen Bakken designed the cover for Where Treasure Hides. I can’t thank her or Tyndale enough for creating something with such a great wow-factor.

        And can I just say, I’m blessed with amazing critique partners. I was randomly placed in Patricia’s ACFW critique group (before Scribes) and it’s so fun that now we’re both writing for Revell (they’re publishing my contemporary series).

  2. anne rightler

    The Salt Covenants by Sylvia Bambola
    The Hawk and the Dove series books 2 & 3 by Penelope Wilcox
    And about 100 more!!! LOL
    Too many books, so little time.
    Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading this new to me author

    1. Johnnie Alexander

      Anne, it sounds like you need to come on a book-cation with me. If only there was the time to hole up somewhere peaceful and lovely and read, read, read. We could get through our stacks. Except we’d probably end up adding a whole lot more! The never-ending TBR pile . . . (I love it!)

  3. Karen Holstein

    Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for tbr question, love looking at what others are reading. I’m currently reading all of Patricia Bradley. Just finished A Promise to Protect. Next Gone Without a Trace. Also Kristen Heitzmann’s series with Secret, Inform, and Echoes.

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    2. Johnnie Alexander

      I can say without any prejudice that Patricia Bradley is my favorite romantic suspense author. (And I love that I get a sneak peek at her stories.)

      Karen, I’m sure you’ll love Gone Without a Trace. Then keep a sharp eye out for her May release, Silence in the Dark. It’s a page-turner.

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  5. Johnnie Alexander

    Good morning, everyone! I just came in the house from doing pasture-laps with my Fitbit–already walked my 10,000 steps. (And now I’m trying to keep my twelve-week-old kitten Adelaide out of my water glass–of course, she’s not allowed on the table, but she doesn’t believe that.) It’s a lovely morning here in Tennessee, not too hot nor too chilly. The sun is brightly shining its rays through the trees, the alpaca are munching on hay, and I saw two deer in the neighbor’s woods. A great start to a Thursday!

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