Please welcome this week’s guest Kimberly Rose Johnson for The Journey. She answers the question: How have you seen God work in your writing journey?
I started my writing journey in 2006. I can’t believe it’s been nine years! The time has gone by so fast. In that time I’ve grown as a writer, a person, and in my walk with the Lord.
I attended my first writer’s conference in the summer of 2006. It was at the Oregon Christian Writer’s conference where I probably learned more at that one conference than all the others I’ve attended combined. I met so many key people that are still a part of my writing life, including my long time friend and critique partner.
At that conference, I attended a workshop taught by Randy Ingermanson, where he taught how to write a scene. I followed exactly what he said to do and wrote a short story, submitted it to a suspense and mystery magazine and it was purchased! That was all the encouragement I needed to keep at this writing thing.
I’ll admit there were times I was discouraged and wondered if I would ever get published again, but I didn’t give up. I continued to attend various writer’s conferences (Mt Hermon, ACFW, Oregon Christian Writers) and at each one the Lord sent someone my way to encourage and give me hope. I think I probably got most excited when He used me to bless someone else. Through every step of my journey, He has known exactly what I needed to keep pursuing my dream.
I was asked to answer the question how have you seen God work in your writing journey? Honestly I think the biggest impact has been my growing ease with sharing my faith. When I started writing it was incredibly difficult for me to write anything to do with Him. I didn’t know how to incorporate the Lord into my stories, and it felt awkward. I wasn’t comfortable becoming vulnerable enough to share that side of myself in my writing.
I think it was clear to at least one of my critique partners that I was struggling with this because without being asked she reached out to me and helped me work though this. Through her example I gradually began to get more comfortable with sharing a piece of my heart in what I wrote. Now I sometimes have to hold myself back a bit. 🙂
I’ve grown to be incredibly dependent on the Lord. I often say I can’t write without Him, and that’s the truth. I depend on Him to show me what to write. Without Him I am nothing.
I learned that God’s timing is everything and my timing needs to line up with His—ugh—that is easier said than done! It’s been a challenge to wait on His timing, but I’m not sorry for a second. He knew when I was ready to get published again and He didn’t allow me to become published until I was.
The Lord has been by my side every step of the way. I’ve learned patience, toughened up, wised up, and opened up. It’s been quite a ride that I hope to stay on for years to come.
My fifth book with Love Inspired Heartsong Presents released this month. A Valentine for Kayla is a fun story about a young woman who owns a florist shop and strongly dislikes Valentine’s Day. She must learn that listening to the Lord is better than running ahead of Him with her own plan and ideas.
Back cover blurb:
KAYLA RUSSELL DOESN’T LIKE VALENTINE’S DAY
What should be Kayla’s favorite holiday is just another reminder that she hasn’t met someone special. The beautiful florist—and hopeless romantic—has nearly given up on love, when the man of her dreams walks into her shop…to buy flowers for another woman!
Former music superstar Derek Wood poses as a local deliveryman while he cares for his ailing mother. Derek is drawn to Kayla’s genuine spirit and natural beauty, but he can’t hide his identity forever. The man Kayla’s falling for doesn’t really exist, but the feelings they share are real. Will Derek finally give Kayla a reason to love Valentine’s Day?
Kimberly’s bio
Kimberly Rose Johnson holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, teenage son, and their yellow lab. She writes heartwarming Christian romance for Heartsong Presents and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She enjoys taking long walks with her husband and dog, reading, dark chocolate and time with friends.
You may contact Kimberly via her website at http://kimberlyrjohnson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh
