Artist Profile: Anna Rose Johnson

Anna Rose Johnson is a journalist, blogger and seasoned correspondent for Inside Gymnastics. Anna is passionate about historical fiction, the Native experience and writing for children. She is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. And her debut book “The Star That Always Stays” was inspired by her great-grandmother.

1) What challenges did you encounter along the journey to becoming a published author?

It was definitely challenging at times to work through many drafts and revisions until the story was exactly right. The main thing that helped me when I began to seek publication was maintaining a willingness to revise. It’s an important step in making any book the best it can be.

2) Share one or two writing goals you have set for yourself this year.

My main goal is to complete my next middle grade work-in-progress. It usually takes me at least six months to plan out a new novel. This one was no different so I’m excited to finally begin drafting.

3) Any creative writing resources you are particularly fond of and/or have found to be useful? 

Aside from reading excellent books, I find genealogy and newspapers to be very inspiring. There are so many springboards for stories out there in the world just waiting to be discovered! I also enjoy scrapbooking as inspiration; I pull together photos and paraphernalia and create aesthetics that give me more ideas for my novels. Also being out in nature and enjoying my garden is a great way to develop ideas. You can work through plenty of plot problems while you’re digging up weeds.

4) Please share 2 to 3 titles currently in your "to be read" pile. 

I’m looking forward to reading “The Vanderbeekers on the Road” by Karina Yan Glaser when it is released this fall. I’ve also just started reading “The Last Bookshop in London” by Madeline Martin, plus am excited to read “Flipping Forward Twisting Backward” by Alma Fullerton.