Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Teresa Louise Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Teresa Louise, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I learned to read, and then I started writing. When I was in Grade 5, I had one of those teachers you never forget. Mrs. Hughes encouraged my writing and even introduced me to the idea that I could submit my stories to magazines or book publishers. She played a large part in my artistic path; I went on to win awards for my writing throughout elementary and high school and eventually earned a master’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
I was a newspaper reporter for a while, but it wasn’t quite a proper fit. I taught yoga and didn’t write a thing for a while. However, I experienced an upheaval in my life and took a break from teaching yoga. During that time, I rediscovered novel writing. It was like reconnecting with myself.
Teresa Louise, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
When I started Break on Through Yoga, that was as far as the name went for a number of years. I taught yoga out of my home to loyal clientele, but I also took opportunities to teach remotely–I taught at a hops farm where I learned to keep an eye on thieving ducks during meditation, for a women’s well being program, and for the staff of a retirement community. Eventually, I found my way back to writing. Now, my brand is Break on Through Yoga & Writing. I still teach yoga, but my focus is yoga for jiu jitsu and kickboxing.
I wrote several novels before I decided to look into publishing Boneyard Café. Most people don’t know that I have a previously published work called Fire Island, a piece I wrote and defended as part of the requirements for my master’s degree. The electronic version has been downloaded 70 times through the university since it became available in 2013. I had a young family at the time Fire Island was published, so that was my only book for many years.
During the pandemic, I had a dream about a young woman in a dungeon. It was like I was watching the scene through the eyes of someone else. Usually I don’t remember my dreams, but I remembered this one, and Boneyard Café was born:
When Ren is kidnapped in a strange dimension, her sister Lee must discover her hidden powers to save her. Uncovering her alchemist heritage and an affinity for elemental magic, Lee must face an enemy far more dangerous than she ever imagined. Secrets, magic, and family collide in Boneyard Café—a fantasy adventure you won’t want to miss. Are you ready to see what’s possible?
I offer my readers dark fantasy with epic and urban elements, interesting, varied characters and creatures, and the chance to unravel my worlds with me over my series and stand alone novels. In my stories, they’ll find friendship, romantic love, and sisterly love. Lastly, they’ll get to know creepy, cruel villains and see what happens when good goes up against evil.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My background as a yoga teacher and practitioner drives my desire to create community through my writing. A popular trope in fiction is found family, and I think I’m searching for that in my own life. In my immediate family, I have my best friend and husband Dennis, my kids, my sister, our close friends, and Dennis’s family, but there’s a part of me that craves a connection with readers too. Just like any writer, I want to bring readers into the world I’ve created through my books, but in today’s world, we can interact online in endless ways as well.
I’m driven by the stories that are woven into me. Writing for me is a way to face my shadow self, to set free the parts of me that are buried. I incorporate mindfulness and yoga philosophy into my novels and into my social media pages. A piece of me is in every story I tell; in many ways, Boneyard Café is autobiographical allegory. I hope that readers will take the journey with me so we can grow and heal together.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Being an author is rewarding in so many ways. I don’t know if readers realize how grateful we are for their reviews and their excitement for our work. A group of my early readers not only read early drafts of Boneyard Café and gave me feedback, but they also agreed to record excerpts for a custom soundtrack created by musician Jordan Daye. The result was better than I could’ve imagined, and the track played on a loop at my book launch.
One of my readers, Janessa Reimer of JR Creations, was inspired to paint the café in my first book. Fall leaves drift down around the café, and there’s a touch of mystery in the foggy cemetery surrounding it. The colours are breathtaking, and I’m proud to have it hanging in my living room.
Lastly, the cover for Boneyard Café (and more books to come) was created by Angela Lyon Design & Artistry. Angela’s suggestions and guidance were invaluable, and my team would not have been complete without her.
If I hadn’t written and published Boneyard Café, I would never have connected with Janessa or the community of writers and readers I’ve found on social media. I have made countless author friends; we share ideas, collaborate on posts, and give each other advice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tfreelance78.wixsite.com/teresalouisejohnson
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresa_breakonthrough/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreakonThroughYogaAndWriting/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-louise-johnson-94722920/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tljjazzy
- Other: Canadian Book Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Boneyard-Caf%C3%A9-Teresa-Louise-Johnson-ebook/dp/B0DDCT96L1/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
US: https://www.amazon.com/Boneyard-Caf%C3%A9-Teresa-Louise-Johnson-ebook/dp/B0DDCT96L1
Image Credits
Marcy McGlade