Author Interview with J.R. Johansson

It's author appreciation Thursday! This particular author wrote a book called INSOMNIA, and though I haven't gotten my hands on it yet I'm fairly certain it's going to blow minds. Also, J.R. and I are both authors at Flux, and she's awesome in addition to her book. Just so you can get an idea of how awesome she is, here's a few questions that will help you get to know her better:

Hi, J.R.! Thank you for stopping by Secret Life today. Can you tell us a little about your writing process?

I struggle with drafting. It's by far the hardest part for me. I'd take a full month of revisions and edits over a day of drafting anytime.  I have to mull over an idea for awhile and then I write a very rough outline before I dive in. Once I'm ready, my process involves playing a little music to get in the right frame of mind for a story, then I turn off the internet and start typing.

I am so impressed that you manage to turn the internet off. I didn't know it could be done. But what was the hardest part of writing INSOMNIA?

I had never thought of myself as a darker writer let alone a thriller writer before this book. So the hardest part for me was accepting that not only did I enjoy writing darker stuff, but I was good at it. Then I got to go through and really bring that dark tension out. I haven't looked back since. :)

And we're so glad you didn't! What was your journey to publication like?

I think everyone's path is different. Mine was a little more on the crazy side. I got my agent, we went on sub, sold to Germany at auction in a couple of weeks, then sold to Italy and then it was a little bit before I sold here. It was backward, insane and totally incredible. 

It sounds like it! So what is your favorite part of the writing/publishing process? 

I love getting to know and work with other authors. It's an amazing community and I'm so happy to be a part of it.

So am I. And what advice would you give aspiring writers?

Keep writing... no matter what. That is the line that differentiates between someone who starts a book and someone who writes a book. And there are no two words that are more fun to type than, "The End".

Truer words have never been spoken. Thank you so much for stopping by The Secret Life of Writers, J.R.!

J.R. is a young adult thriller author represented by Kathleen Rushall of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Her debut novel, INSOMNIA will be released in Spring/Summer 2013 with Flux.

She loves reading, playing board games, and sitting in her hot tub. Her dream is that someday she can do all three at the same time.

If you want to know more about J.R., you can follow her on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, or check out her website.