Interview with Becky Johnson, author of the Charlotte Marshall Mysteries
Books are Becky Johnson’s
passion and always have been. She used to get in trouble in school for reading
during class!
Becky has Master’s degrees
in social work and history, and for her day job she is a social worker. In her
writing she tries to answer a question that is important to both social work
and history: Why? She always wants to
know why people do the things they do or feel the way they feel.
When not reading or writing
she enjoys yoga, cooking, and makes a pretty mean chili!
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About the Books:
A decades old
mystery and a deadly game of cat and mouse will change Charlotte Marshall
forever.
Charlotte has a good life: friends, family, a successful career. Her perfect life is destroyed when research for a book and a connection from her past plunges her into the middle of her worst nightmare.
On the run, with no one to trust, Charlotte begins to unravel the work of a sadistic murderer. Afraid and alone, she will learn the meaning of trust and just when to run.
For More Information
- Run is available at Amazon.
- Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
- Watch the book trailer at YouTube.
- Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
Nine months ago
Charlotte Marshall survived a nightmare when she was hunted by a sadistic
killer. Now routine, ritual, and a vigorous self-defense schedule barely keep
the fear at bay.
Desperate to move on Charlotte finds hope in volunteering with FindMe, an organization dedicated to finding missing people and helping their families. Her first case ends up being more than she bargained for, and she soon learns that a little hope can be a dangerous thing.
While Charlotte unravels a mystery, an old enemy circles waiting for just the right moment to strike. Charlotte will have to choose to stand and fight, or to give in to the fear that waits for her.
Desperate to move on Charlotte finds hope in volunteering with FindMe, an organization dedicated to finding missing people and helping their families. Her first case ends up being more than she bargained for, and she soon learns that a little hope can be a dangerous thing.
While Charlotte unravels a mystery, an old enemy circles waiting for just the right moment to strike. Charlotte will have to choose to stand and fight, or to give in to the fear that waits for her.
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Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life! Now that your book has been published, we’d
love to find out more about the process.
Can we begin by having you take us at the beginning? Where did you come up with the idea to write
your book?
I had this scene in my head, a picture and
sentence. It was driving me crazy! I kept thinking about it. I would picture it
at night when I went to bed. I kept asking myself ‘what if?’ or ‘what next?’
eventually I had to write the story. That scene ended up being the opening
sentence of Run.
Q: How hard was it to write a book like this and do
you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier
for other writers?
Once I started writing the story took over. I had
one rule for myself. I had to write at least 500 words a day. Some of those 500
words ended up being completely edited out, but as long as I kept up the
momentum the story never let me down.
Q: Who is your publisher and how did you find them
or did you self-publish?
I decided to self-publish. I did a lot of research
on publishing – both traditional and self-publishing. After listening to the
experiences of other authors, I decided that self-publishing best fit my goals
as a writer.
Q: Is there anything that surprised you about
getting your first book published?
The work isn’t done after publishing! I learned a
lot about marketing and the publishing industry in the six months since I first
published. I am still learning!
Q: What other books (if any) are you working on and
when will they be published?
I am currently working on the conclusion to Run and Stand, Redemption. I am hoping for a mid-2015 release. After that I
have a thriller titled They, and a
non-fiction book Lessons from the
Battlefield – both are slated for a late 2015 release.
Q: What’s your favorite place to hang out online?
I spend way too much time on Goodreads. In addition
to writing I am an avid reader so I love finding new things to read!
Q: Finally, what message (if any) are you trying to
get across with your book?
I wouldn’t say I was trying to get across a
message; but every book has a message, and every books’ message is a little
different. The great thing about being a writer is that it is a way to express
your thoughts and feelings through the actions of your characters. For me, Run is about trust, particularly
learning to trust yourself, and Stand
is about the choices we make in difficult situations. When I was writing I was
able to explore those feelings and ideas. The relationship between a writer and
book, or a reader and a book, is fluid. We each bring different things into it
and get different things out of it.
Q: Thank you again for this interview! Do you have any final words?
I am so grateful for everything I have experienced
on my journey so far, and I look forward to learning and growing as an author
and person. Thanks for your time and enjoy reading!
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