Meet author David Johnson

I “met” David Johnson through a writing group on Facebook. I’m excited to have him on my blog today and learn more about him and his writing!

Let’s get started!

Jen – Hi David, it’s good to have you on the blog. Tell us about yourself.

David – I grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It was a fast-growing town in the 70’s. As with many places, it was a prosperous time where money was easy and prices were low. Still, my family worked hard, and we had very few problems growing up. I attended church on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday nights as well. I accepted Jesus as my Savior at the tender age of eight in Vacation Bible School. At twenty years old, I made a profound commitment to never again say “no” to opportunities to serve again. That day, everything changed, and I have had so many opportunities to serve since then.

David Johnson’s inspiration

Jen – What inspired you to start writing?

David – The short story begins with me feeling bored while sitting in a conference room, waiting for some engineers to arrive for my presentation. I had arrived early, but they were thirty minutes late. After sitting there alone for a few minutes, I opened a Word document and started writing a story. For six years, whenever I needed a distraction from life, I would open that document and add to it. Eventually, I decided to find out what it took to write a novel, realizing I was already on the right track. Then the hard work began: editing and formatting..

David Johnson’s books

Jen – That’s definitely the hard work! 🙂 What do you write?

David – I write Contemporary Christian Fiction. They are stories about everyday people with unique skills. Through extraordinary circumstances, they come to realize that they can not survive without God’s help. They survive, but they are changed in profound ways that affect those around them.

I have published a four-novel series and two stand-alone books. The last publication is a book that was inspired by the flooding in North Carolina in 2024.

Jen – I’ll be looking for that. Sounds interesting.

Writing habits & research

Jen – One thing I always ask authors is do you have a certain time of day that you write? And, are you a plotter or a pantser? (Okay, that’s two questions!)

David – I generally start with an idea or a construct for a book, and then as I begin writing, I add supporting elements, characters, and subplots as I go. I am a pantser for sure. I rarely have the ending in sight until I’m maybe three or four weeks deep in the story. I’ve always enjoyed writing late at night. I generally start after dinner and have been known to write until dawn. Of course, I do tend to sleep in on those days.

Jen – Do you have to do research for your story? If so, what did you find most interesting?

David – Yes, I do quite a bit of research for particular parts of a story. I try to stick with places and elements I have intimate knowledge about, and I have a vast number of friends and acquaintances who have professional expertise that I can call upon. However, there are things out of my experience that I research. For instance, in one book, I needed to describe in detail a fictitious Caribbean island. It was the primary setting for this particular romance adventure. I needed to know the location, distance to the nearest landfall, currents, and trade winds. Additionally, I had to research fishing charter boats, types, engines, etc. In another book, I had to research the jewelry industry, precious stones, diamond wholesalers, etc.

David’s goals

Jen – Why do you write? What goals do you have for your writing?

David – Unlike many authors, I write because I love to tell a story. I find that I need a creative outlet. I wrote computer programs for over twenty years. When I retired from that, writing became one of the ways I enjoy venting my creativity. I never started writing to make money or write to please a particular crowd. I want the reader to have an adventurous escape from the nine-to-five grind and come away with the idea that no matter how great you are, no matter how much you think that you’re in control, circumstances can show you that we all need God’s help.

More about David Johnson

Jen – I think it’s interesting to find out what authors like to read. What do you read?

David – I guess the science fiction writings of Arthur Conan Doyle, Author C. Clark, and J. R. R. Tolkien most influenced me. The logic of Sherlock Holmes and the science-backed writings of Clark resonated with me from childhood. Tolkien always impressed me with the way he could paint an entire scene with just a few words.

Jen – That’s such a skill!

Where to find David Johnson online

Jen – Where can we find you online?

David – I have a Facebook account, a Book website, and a personal blog that tracks progress and achievements in my author experience. Most of these are linked to the book website at http://www.davidandrhonda.com/book-web/index.htm.

Jen – You can also find David Johnson on his Amazon author page!

Fun facts

Jen – Tell us some fun facts – insight into David Johnson.

David – Each morning, I begin my day with a short Bible study, and I sometimes share my insights on my Facebook page. It’s remarkable how relevant a few verses can be to our lives when we focus on the context and think about how they apply to us today. When I am not writing, I paint pictures. I have original artwork that I created for many of my books. I consider myself a bit unusual because I really enjoy drinking water; I usually consume 60 ounces or more each day. Even though I live in a landlocked state, I manage to go on several SCUBA diving trips each year. I am a warm water, vacation SCUBA diver (no lakes, murky water, or wet suits required).

Jen – I tried SCUBA diving once. Enough said!

Advice for new authors

Jen – What is your advice for new authors?

David – There are a lot of good resources out there. But always keep in mind that it’s your story and tell it the way you want people to hear it. If your goal is to make money at it, then you’re likely going to be telling someone else’s story and not your own. So, decide what you want and stick with it.

Jen – That advice – it’s your story and tell it the way you want people to hear it – is so true. Thanks for sharing that and for being on the blog today!

---

Read What is a Cozy Mystery, then follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with news about my book and any special offers!

---

Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for over 39 years, have 5 amazing kids, and have 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children and used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery – Birds Alive! – released Feb. 27, 2024, and the 2nd in the series, Where’s the Quetzal? released Feb. 25, 2025! My romantic suspense novella, SeaBreeze Obsession in Trinity Sands Beach Club, released June 17, 2025!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)