Indie Authors Uncovered - Meet the person behind the pages - Teresa Louise Johnson - Dark Fantasy with Urban elements.
Where were you born?
I was born in Canada.
Where do you live?
I still live in Canada.
Do you have fur babies?
A German Shorthaired pointer x lab named Chaucer.
A cat named Pearl.
Do you use a pen name?
I don't.
What kind of writer are you?
- Old School Notebook and pen Writer.
- Modern Day Laptop/PC Writer.
Name one book you loved as a kid - one you loved as a new adult - and one you love now.
- The Chronicles of Narnia (series).
- Hunger Games (series).
- Outlander (series).
Is there an author you look up to? Or had an influence on your craft?
Diana Gabaldon is my go-to author.
Stephen King, Alice Hoffman, and Romantic poets and authors (along with other classics) have had an influence on my writing.
How would you describe your craft in one sentence
I offer readers dark fantasy with urban elements, interesting, varied characters and creatures, and the chance to unravel my worlds over my series and standalone novels.
At The Dreamer's Bookshop, we embrace diversity and advocate for invisible illnesses. How do you feel about those topics? Do you include messages in your writing?
In the Seven, my characters attempt to overcome anxiety and imposter syndrome, just as many of us do.
In Dark Matter, the queen struggles with her anxiety in the personified form of regret.
Do you have red lines when it comes to writing/reading?
I'm likely to stay fairly tame as far as spice goes, but you never know what might happen. Never say never.
Was there a review that touched you more than others?
"I wasn’t prepared for this one.
It’s so beautiful and still so emotional.
You get to love the characters and I have to confess that it was a long time ago that I was
sad for a character like this.
It is connected to Boneyard Café, which is amazing, and we get to know the background.
I’m still emotional about this one.
It hurts but it was a beautiful story."
(Rogère Buivan on Dark Matter)
If someone asked you why you write, what would you answer in one sentence?
I read books from the perspective of a student of the classics, a lover of a wide range of genres, and a person with an open mind.
When I'm not writing or reading, I teach yoga. Because of that, I incorporate mindfulness and yoga philosophy into my novels and into my social media pages.
My goal is to create connection with my ever-growing community of readers and followers.
Which book are you most proud of and why?
How can I choose one book I'm proud of?
That said, The Seven is the culmination of a lot of hard work and focus on learning from my mistakes. My editor and I are creating something amazing with this book.
However, Fire Island will always hold a special place for me, because it was the book I wrote to earn my Master's degree.
What would you tell an aspiring writer?
Dear aspiring writer, Keep writing.
Don't compare yourself to other authors. Embrace your unique voice. There is only one you, and your words matter.
What's a wish you have for yourself as an author?
My wish for myself is to find my audience-those people who can't wait for my next book to come out.
What's a wish you have for yourself as a person?
I always want to keep learning.
I never want to become hardened by my traumas.
Do you have a message for your audience?
Come along with me to find friendship, romantic love, and sisterly love.
Get to know creepy, cruel villains, and see what happens when good goes up against evil.
As it says in The Seven, magic leads you. It is set in the stars.
