Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Johnson
Hi Tara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For years I had lived the dream…a recording artist with a Christian record label. I would travel from church to church, venue to venue sharing how God had led me out of a life of people pleasing and depression into a new walk with Him. I was passionate about revealing the enemy’s lies…and I could share this transformational truth through song.
When I was diagnosed with gastroparesis, and lost the ability to sing for long stretches of time, I questioned God. What are You doing? I don’t understand. All this work, these dreams…how could they just crumble like rubble? Is this really what you want, Lord?
In the turbulence of that season, I began pouring out my heart through blogs. Through stories. When an author friend suggested I attend the national conference of the American Christian Fiction Writers, I balked. Who was I? I wasn’t a writer. I was a singer.
But I attended anyway.
In my very first class, the instructor shared about each author’s unique voice—the way they blend words and phrases to paint a picture…not on canvas but on paper to reach the hearts of thousands. That’s when God caught my attention.
My child, you can have a voice and still not have a voice.
Since that moment, God launched me into a new calling. To write. To create. To encourage new authors and hungry readers. To build worlds and characters that would show each person’s need for the unfailing love of Jesus.
And I can’t imagine it any other way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all! I mistakenly believed that after I received that first writing contract, the journey would grow easier, but it didn’t. In many ways, it’s harder. The market is constantly changing. Trends come and go. What publishers want and expect shift on a dime. The important thing to remember is that you always need to keep your eyes focused ahead–on the next thing–so you don’t get stuck when your current work is rejected. It takes a tremendous amount of grit to be a professional writer.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an author in the Christian market, and my specialty is historical romance, although I have written many devotionals and contemporary romance as well. In 2022, I received my certification in body language from the Joe Navarro Body Language Academy and my specialty is teaching writers how to show-don’t-tell and strengthen characterization through body language.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
People automatically become wary when they realize I’m a body language expert. They think I can read their minds or something. It’s not exactly that easy or immediate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TaraJohnsonStories.com
- Instagram: @TaraJohnsonMinistry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaraJohnsonAuthor
- Twitter: @TaraMinistry
