William H. Johnson

Patience is a Virtue, even for Writers

In Reflection, writing tips on August 17, 2010 at 12:32 pm

Last night was tough. Concentration was hard to come by.  The words seemed to come soooo slowly.  I kept looking at the clock: two hours of my three hour writing block was gone and I felt like I’d barely written anything.

I tried starting a section a couple of different ways but nothing caught. I tried music; songs that I related to the story, songs that evoked any emotion at all. Still nothing.

So I waited. Leaned back, laid down and just thought about my main character and other characters in the scene. I stepped into each of their minds and meditated on their desires and what they wanted from one another.

Time passed.

Then with about 15 minutes left I took a third strike at the wall and broke through. It still didn’t feel great but I’d committed to write so I did just that. All told I got to about 1000 words out longhand in 45 minutes (I extended my block a half hour), finished chapter 3 of the manuscript and achieved most of what I wanted to achieve in the session.

Another plug for hanging in there, keeping at it, and being patient!

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DARK PROVINCE Book Two is Underway!

In Dark Province Book Two, News, The Dark Province on July 28, 2010 at 1:54 pm

The majority of the first fifteen four or five star reviews on Amazon mention or request a sequel:

“I look forward to my next visit to The Dark Province.” –Walko

“Thanks, William Johnson, for The Dark Province: Son of Duprin, and if you read this, please write a sequel.” –Gadget Girl

“I’ll be waiting.” –mimibimi “Ravenous Reader”

Who am I to say no to satisfied readers? A sequel to THE DARK PROVINCE: SON OF DUPRIN is underway! It has been in its planning stages since before the first book’s release. I am proud to say that the yet titled DARK PROVINCE SEQUEL is out of initial development and in the process of being written.

It feels great to be working on a new manuscript. But more than that, its feels great to be back in the Dark Province universe; to look out across the still waters of the Great Sea, to meditate under the light of the Oron moon, to feel the warm humid air on my skin at the Port of Metwihn and to pull my coat close to guard from the chilled weather at the Jekkemi port at Dinamin. It’s great to be back.

THE DARK PROVINCE: SON OF DUPRIN which has been described by some readers as a hybrid of fantasy and other genres will, in the sequel, descend deeper into the fantasy genre in terms of magical element and fierce fantastic creatures. Having been through the journey of awakening as Calvin Gooding breaks from the beliefs of his pasts, we will now be led into the throws of revolution. This all being done while maintaining the intimate style of the original novel.

I will be sharing this journey of creation on my blog along with tips and other reflections. I am grateful to you my readers for your support and enthusiasm of this book and the upcoming sequel. I am very much looking forward to delivering you another enjoyable read.

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Centreville Author Discusses Inspiration (via The CENTRE VIEW)

In Press, The Dark Province on July 23, 2010 at 1:30 pm

The following is an interview published in the April 22-28 edition of Clifton, Virginia’s CENTRE VIEW newspaper. Interviewed by Senitra McCombs.

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Author William H. Johnson, Centreville native, talked about his debut novel “The Dark Province: Son of Duprin,” who motivates him and why he would like to have dinner with former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs. Johnson will be talking about the novel as well as signing copies at Mei’s Asian Bistro, 434 Washington Boulevard in Arlington this coming Saturday, April 24, from 2-4 p.m.

What is your book about?

WJ: “The Dark Province: Son of Duprin” is an adult epic fantasy adventure, set in an originally created world. It follows the quest of Calvin Gooding, a man who is forced to deny the strict religion of his homeland to follow his faith into a forbidden country that to even enter is grounds for excommunication and condemnation. But it is his only hope to save his dying sister’s life.

How did you come up with the title? Does it have any symbolism?

WJ: “The Dark Province” is the name that Calvin’s people use when referring to the land across the sea to which they are forbidden to travel. The symbolism is from the Duprinite belief that going there brings out the darkness of your soul.

Are there any themes or an overall message you want readers to walk away from the book with?

WJ: To me, the primary literary theme is religion vs. faith. So often they’re spoken of together. But aren’t there times when a person has to choose one or the other? This doesn’t have to necessarily relate to the conventional definition of religion either. Any system of beliefs that founds a person’s worldview can count as religion. A time may come when one must choose between their loyalty to those beliefs and following a feeling that resonates deeply in their soul in order to proceed forward in life. In Calvin’s case, his decision is this: does he risk the damnation of his soul to save his sister’s life? Or does he bow to the demands of his cultural heritage and accept her fate and passage to the next world?

How did you come up with the idea for the book?

WJ: It started with musing on the duplicity of the public role of sex and intimacy in our culture. Sex’s public persona in our culture is one heavy with racial and ethnic stereotypes, hard-line moral judgments, and an ongoing stream of stories from the media about crippling abuses by people in power from our schools to our largest religious institutions — yet in private quarters it is about connection and a certain knowing of another person. We so often brand its mention as “dirty” or “inappropriate” and relate it to sort of a lower class of thinking. Meanwhile the most successful businesses use it to sell their products: movies, beer, fast food, cereal, and cell phones, to name a few. This duplicity fascinates me as an artist. I had a fairly strict religious upbringing and thought it would be interesting to juxtapose a very liberal sensual world with one of strict moral convictions.

How did you become an author? Was it a childhood dream?

WJ: I have been telling stories and writing them down since I was quite young but I would say it was high school when I realized how important writing was as a means of expression and exploration and what it could be for me. I’ve written screenplays, staged plays, and poetry. But when it came time to create a piece that I would point to as a true sample of my work, I wrote a novel. For me writing fiction has it all.

What was the hardest or difficult part of writing the novel?

WJ: Coming face to face with some of the difficult emotions it brought up. I really allowed myself the space to walk with this very flawed main character. As he was being challenged by his own fears and prejudices, so was I.

Where or who do you draw your inspiration from?

WJ: Everything and everyone from my own personal experiences about people and social issues; my own emotional reactions to what I see and hear drive my need to write and tell stories.

What’s your favorite spot in the area or do you have a favorite childhood memory?

WJ: I was born at Fairfax Hospital and lived my whole live in Chantilly and Clifton up until college. I would say my favorite spot is the stadium in Centreville High. Having participated in varsity football and track & field I have a lot of memories there. Also the Ruby Tuesdays in Centreville, I also have memories there with family and friends.

If you could have dinner with anyone famous who would it be and why?

WJ: Former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs. He was always such a class act while being a respected and effective leader. I would enjoy talking to him about how he inspired the best out of so many people over such long span of time.

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