Author Spotlight: Susan Johnson
This week in our Author Spotlight series, we are delighted to welcome Las Vegas writer Susan Johnson.
Susan is the author of Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping: A Memoir of My Bipolar Journey, which can be purchased on Amazon. Here’s a bit about the book and an excerpt:
Bipolar is a condition which is affecting thousands of Americans. Susie Johnson’s book takes you inside the world of bipolar, letting you see what life is really like on the other side of the rainbow. Susie Johnson’s memoir is a must read for anyone who wants to share the inside life of a bipolar person and her family. She tells the raw story. A definitive book about her roller coaster life in today’s world.
My thoughts and ideas were grandiose. I felt I had a special gift to save the world and to somehow counsel abused children . . . As these thoughts were going through my head, random songs were also being played . . . I recall feeling a sense of paranoia as well, like people were staring at me as they walked by. It was as if they were accusing me of committing a crime. I was running on empty, but I could not sit down long enough to enjoy the buffet . . . There was another major problem. Grace had become my enemy. I hated her more and more with each breath I took in. I hated her with every fiber in my body. I was deceived and a fool for thinking she was my best friend. She had turned on me . . . When the weekend had ended, there was a nasty storm brewing within me. There was no telling what my future would hold when I returned home. Perhaps that was for the best.
Welcome to Reaching for the Moon, Susan! I’m so happy you can join us. Please share with us your journey to publication.
My journey to publication was an author’s dream. I finished my book and had a lead to a publisher. The publisher read it, and instantaneously I was traditionally published overnight. Unfortunately, the publisher went under and I ended up self-publishing several years later.
The ups and downs of the publishing industry can be quite extreme, but I—and your readers—are very thankful that you were able to overcome these obstacles and launch your book into the world.
What else would you like to tell us about your path to writing Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping?
My book was never supposed to be read by anyone. It was simply my healing journey as a woman living with bipolar disorder. My past kept creeping up. I also had a spiritual call to write it. Yes, I was taking my medication. LOL.
At the end of my writing, I decided to bravely put it out to the world because I wanted to educate people about bipolar disorder and be a light for those living with mental illness who are in the dark. I had never written a book before and didn’t know where to start. I went to a memoir workshop and bought a book and heard a speaker. I was all fired up to write, but I lacked discipline.
Then, I found a “How to Write a Memoir” class at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), a local community college. I also found a mentor, Bob Cawley, who gave me confidence. I learned that I had a gift to write. At the time, I was thirty years old.
I also began writing blogs for bpHope Magazine. I ended up joining Toastmasters International to promote my book. In doing so, I overcame my fear of public speaking.
Later, I ended up giving a TEDx talk called “Having A Mental Illness Is Not A Death Sentence." A TEDx talk is a dream for a speaker. It is an idea worth sharing.
That is an impressive accomplishment, Susan! Your TEDx talk is incredibly heartfelt, brave, and inspirational. And your writing journey shows the importance of persistence and mentorship.
What advice do you have for new writers?
The advice I would give to new writers is that slow and steady wins the race. It took me over three years to finish my book. Even if you write one word a day, you are a writer. Just keep going, and with perseverance you will finish.
It took me almost five years to finish my book, so I can certainly relate. Writing quality work takes time and steady effort. Remember, new authors, it’s a marathon, not a sprint!
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us today, Susan. You can connect with her on both Facebook and Instagram to learn more about her personal journey and her creative work. For all animal lovers, you can follow her cat Sterling Eugene’s Instagram. He’s adorable!
This post is part of an ongoing series in which I interview Vegas-area writers. Please also check out my recent interview with Craig E. Higgins, author of Artichoke Stars and Chicken Fried Shark.
My first novel Aveline is available for pre-order on Amazon!