Heather’s Bookshelf:
Author Interview with Jeanne K. Johnson
Book Title: My Search for Air
Released: 03/08/22
Genre: Historical Fiction
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “My Search for Air”?
Johnson: The story was inspired by my great-grandmother. I started hearing stories about her at a young age and wondered why she chose the life she did. She was brought up in what was considered a proper home, and didn’t seem to lack for anything, except perhaps her freedom. She was known as quite a scandal and her parents eventually disowned her. In the book, I try to put myself in her shoes in an attempt to understand her choices.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Johnson: Lilith, the protagonist, is taken from Jewish lore based on Adam’s first wife. She refused to follow rules imposed and would not be subservient. The antagonist is Gregory J. Wentworth. This name sounded like a man of privilege and one who used that privilege to take advantage of others, specifically the name “Wentworth.”
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Johnson: I can’t really explain my writing process. It comes from somewhere deep inside me, and I can just feel when it’s right. The main thing I want people to take from the book is how we judge others and ourselves and where does forgiveness fit in to judgment.
If "My Search for Air" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Johnson: Saorise Ronan as Lilith Brown
Christian Bale as Gregory J. Wentworth
Laura Dern as Miss Fanny Outbright
Sandra Bullock as Aunt Odessa
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Johnson: I take a walk, work in the yard, take a break from writing the book for a bit to stop obsessing
over details and perfection.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Johnson: Keep it as simple as possible. Get away from proper English and let your thoughts go free. Grammar and sentence structure can be changed later, if needed.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Johnson: I like historical fiction, memoirs, psychological thrillers and some paranormal. Two of my favorite authors are Stephen King and Fannie Flagg.
What are you working on next?
Johnson: I have two books. I am working on a sequel to My Search for Air and one about dead people in a cemetery who can’t move on to the next place.
Learn More About the Author and My Search for Air:
Dashboard ‹ Jeanne Johnson — WordPress (jeanne-johnson.net)
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here or Audible
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