Sunday, April 10, 2011

Interviews With Authors: Terry Lynn Johnson

We have another special Interviews With Authors!  Terry Lynn Johnson, author of Dogsled Dreams, took the time to answer some of my questions on her book and what it is like being a first-time author.  Dogsled Dreams is an inspiring read about one young girl's journey as she pursues her dream to become a world-famous dog-sledder.  This is truly a tale that will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.  You can find my full review of Dogsled Dreams here.

Now onto Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Terry Lynn Johnson!

A Talk With Terry Lynn Johnson

Author of Dogsled Dreams

By T.B.

1) What inspired you to write your first book for young adults, Dogsled Dreams?

When I used to race my dog team, I noticed many people that came to watch didn't know much about the sport or the lifestyle. Some of the questions: "Do they like to run?" "How do you make them do what you want?" "Do they all have names?" "How can you tell them apart?" I wanted to share with everyone how awesome the dogs are. How amazing it feels to run with them.

2) You had a dog-sled team yourself. Are many of your own personal experiences with dog sledding mirrored in Dogsled Dreams?

Quite a few of the things that happened in the book actually happened to me and my dogs. All the dogs in the book were based on my own sled dogs - all the same names and quirks. When you have dogs like mine - including one that smiles showing all his teeth like a person - it's easy to write about them. And over the years, we've had lots of crazy experiences together. Yes, we were attacked by a beaver one day! And yes, we were surrounded by wolves! And sadly, yes, I did get peed on and frozen to the ground.

3) Can you tell us a little bit about what it was like getting your very first book published?
I'm learning as I go. One of the best things about the whole experience is the people I've met in the writing community and the support from book bloggers and readers! And the day that I walked into a bookstore and found my book on the shelf was right up there with getting my first puppy.

4) Lastly, what advice would you give to any young readers who someday wish to become recognized authors?

-Join critique groups. It's best when you aren't alone. And they really help improve your writing.

-READ! A lot!

-Try writing for magazines. Periodicals come out each month, all different topics and age ranges. They are usually looking for content. So many opportunities for you to gain writing credits and experience with an editor.

-Write what you'd want to read instead of trying to follow trends.

-Don't give up. Rejections are all part of the business.

-Don't listen to authors, especially ones that try to give advice like she knows what she's talking about, but she's really just toodling along like everyone else ...
 
-This is T.B. with Another Book Back on the Shelf...
Until Next Time, Keep Reading


Thank you so much Terry Lynn Johnson for the wonderful interview!  I can't believe that you were actually attacked by a beaver, surrounded by wolves, and peed on and frozen to the ground!  Writing for magazines sounds like a really good idea do help young writers start out.  You definitely got across what dog sledding is all about in Dogsled Dreams.  Again, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions and for being a part of Interviews With Authors!


Now I just had to share this cute picture of some of Terry's puppies:

Doppler (bottom), Ulu, (left) and Orbit (smiling) as pups in the dog truck.
Aren't they adorable!

You can find my full review of Dogsled Dreams here.

 
Dogsled Dreams is available From Amazon here.

 
Interested in another Interviews With Authors?  Check out my very first Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Richard Harland, author of Worldshaker here, or Interviews With Authors: A Talk With Eden Unger Bowditch, author of The Atomic Weight of Secrets or The Arrival of Mysterious Men in Black here

4 comments:

  1. Thanks for having me on your blog, Tessa!

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  2. Wow! Those experience sound so amazing and foreign to me. I can imagine that being attacked by a beaver would terrify me to the point that I'd probably pee in my pants. And being surrounded by wolves is just too scary to imagine.

    Cutest puppies ever.

    Thanks for the wonderful interview.

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  3. I've never heard of this author, so thank you for bringing her to my attention!
    That was a lovely guest post!

    Perhaps if you have time, would you mind stopping by my blog?
    Thanks!
    http://lovelylilbookworm.blogspot.com/

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  4. Terry Lynn Johnson- Thank YOU so, so much for being so kind to answer my questions! It was a pleasure to interview you, and it was a ton of fun! Again, thank you so much!

    Missie- I can't imagine going through all that. What an adventure it all must have been!I know! Aren't the puppies so cute. They look so fluffy and cuddly!

    Liddy- Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'm glad I introduced you to to a new author!

    I love your blog, and it's great to see another teen out there blogging! It's hard at times to keep it up, being so young and all, but I'm glad that we can relate!

    ReplyDelete

Hi, and welcome to From The Bookshelf of T.B.!

I can't wait to hear what you have to say! I do my best to try and respond to your comments, so check back often. Comment away!