Bio: Paulette Harper Johnson, an award winning author, writing coach, and speaker, seeks to inspire women from all walks of life. As an inspirational and motivational speaker, Paulette’s desire is to empower, influence and cultivate women to move forward while dealing with issues that hinder women from becoming all they are created to be. Her topics are biblically sound and pertinent to the needs of today’s women.
Paulette is a wife, mother, grandmother, Bible teacher, radio host, and writer. She has been mentoring and teaching women for years though seminars, workshops and conferences. Paulette Harper Johnson serves in ministry as an Elder with her husband Sr. Pastor Tony E. Johnson at Word of Faith Worship Center in Bradenton, FL.
What inspires you as a writer?
As a writer, my inspiration comes from both my faith and a love for the written word. The genre I write is Christian, and intertwined between the pages of my books will be some type of spiritual undertone.
When did you have that "ah ha" moment when you knew you were a writer?
My "ah ha" moment came during one of the hardest seasons in my life: facing divorce. I realized that God wanted me to share my story with other women, churches, and really anyone who was in a transition in life. My first non-fiction book, "That Was Then This Is Now," actually chronicles that season, which was filled with trials, testings, ups, and downs.
What is your writing process?
Before doing anything, I make sure I’m in a quiet area, free from distractions. When I’m ready to write, I sit at my laptop and begin writing. Depending on the chapter I’m working on, that determines the direction I’ll go. I am able to write as long as there is a constant flow.
Tell us about your favorite character and why you chose to write about them?
My favorite character in my current book that I’m writing is Lacey Jones. Lacey is an entrepreneur, author, and pastor's wife. She is the ideal woman who learns how to balance career, personal life, and church all at once. Though she has a quiet, gentle spirit, she uses her faith to help her conquer her mountains.
What are you currently working on?
Currently, I’m working on my first Christian fiction book. The first of two installments in the Trinity Lake series is called “The Sanctuary.” I’m extremely excited to be able to introduce to readers another side of my writing ability. My first two books as well as the two anthologies were non-fiction.
Professionally speaking in the area of business, I’m the owner of WNL (Write Now Literary) Virtual Blog Tours. My business concept is simple: connect authors with readers via blogs, radio, and interviews.
Any upcoming events?
Yes. I do have a Write Now Writers Workshop scheduled for June 9, 2012, which will be held in Punta Gorda, FL. For information about this workshop contact me: infor@pauletteharpe.com.
Do you have any advice for new writers and something that a seasoned vet can learn?
I’d like to devote my answer to new writers.
First, be patient. Connecting with your audience and branding yourself will take time. Especially for new writers, the market is flooded with books for readers to choose from; so by keeping this in mind, you must be able to patiently wait your time to shine.
Secondly, promote, promote, promote! I can’t stress that enough. Your book/books will stay alive as long as you keep them in front of your audience. No one is best suited than you to promote and market your products. If writing is your passion, you will continue promoting and marketing your books even when it appears that no one is buying.
Thirdly, use social networks to connect with readers. By joining social networks, it presents a platform for you to share with your readers your events or next book release. Readers must be able to find you either on your website or any social network you have joined.
Where can your followers find you?
E-Mail: info@pauletteharper.com
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/6wq6mog
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top
Website: http://pauletteharper.com
Business website: http://writenowlit.blogspot.com
Any last words?
Yes. I’d like to share an excerpt from my book Completely Whole. The chapter title is “Celebrate Me.”
I’m celebrating me, because I’ve come to know that I’m all right—regardless of what you think about me, or how you feel towards me. I celebrate that I am a whole person, spirit, soul, and body. I am who I am because of what God has declared about me. I’m celebrating the woman God has designed, destined and called me to be.
My celebration continues even if you don’t want to rejoice with me. I recognize that the celebration only needs a selected number of people. These people will celebrate my freedom, my achievements and my progress, because they are not intimated by my success.
I’m celebrating my freedom. I’m free from the bondage, and the oppression of others. People that are not liberated tend to want to harness others that are progressing, and moving forward. My celebration comes from years of struggle—struggling with self and the image within. The picture I see now is not the same one I saw years ago.
I realize I have issues, and God is still dealing with me about them; however, my issues will never prohibit me from loving the person I’ve become. I’m celebrating the freedom in my mind. I’m free to be who I am and do what it is I am created to do. What you expect me to give, I cannot.
Giving you the world will not cause you to accept me for who I am. I must be happy, content and satisfied with me. As I look in the mirror, the person I see is one who has come to terms with her person, character, and spirit. I change on my terms, and my terms only. Embrace my freedom. Come along and ride with me, if you desire. Celebrate my existence, because celebrating me—is celebrating the God in me.
Paulette thank you so much for stopping by.
Until Next Time,
Omegia Keeys
www.okeeys.com
Thanks Omegia for the feature. See you in Miami
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