I'm so pleased to interview Candice Y. Johnson on my Blog today. Just the cover alone has me wanting to read this book!
 |
| Order Your Copy |
A teen mother, a praise dance team … who gives whom the right to praise?
About the Book
Pregnant
and unwed, Jojo was quickly dismissed from the church's praise team, though the
baby's father (a choir musician) remained in his position thanks to his
familial ties at church. Two years later, Jojo believes she's paid the price
for her choices and wants her spot back--after all, anyone who has ever seen
her dance knows that she's anointed to praise Him in the dance. But how long
must one "sit down" before being reinstated? Isn't a repentant heart
and a humbled spirit enough?
Pastor
Trigg wants to lead the church in the right direction, but the congregation
seems quite divided about how to move forward with letting Jojo--who is still
in high school--dance in the sanctuary. Will allowing her to dance set a bad
precedent? Can the members forgive and forget? While trying to sort through
what's best for the church, his personal life seems to be a total bust. Will he
ever find true love?
This
debut work deals with a sensitive topic while maintaining a uniquely humorous
point of view. Jojo will have you laughing out loud and make you while the
story line begs the question: Who gives whom the right to praise?
Q: Can you tell me about the books you've written?
A: What
haven’t I written? I’ve taken a stab
at everything from simply tagging my John Hancock on a brand new apartment
lease, to the exit paperwork after the position at the job I’d worked for was
suddenly eliminated after 14 years! Seriously, though – I have freelanced for
TV Guide magazine, The Dallas Morning News, The Associated Press, Curly Nikki,
and my own natural hair blog, The Frizzness.
Q: When did you begin your writing
career?
A: I’ve always had a love
affair with words; I began reading at an age when most kids are concentrating
on crayons as a midday snack. Reading books and playing with poetry became my
world! In high school, I was blessed to attend journalism camps, which eventually
led to an editorial assistant gig for the AP.
Q: Are you a full-time or part-time
writer? How do you make time to write?
A: Full-time...by default. But
I’m also the Artistic Director of Ordered Steps Productions Dance Company, and
I balance between dancing and writing by hitting the keyboard during the day,
stolen moments at night when I’m not teaching/rehearsing, or typing notes into
my phone when the words won’t stop talking to me.
Q: What’s your writing process?
(Number of days you write per week, a.m. or p.m., specific music you play while
writing, or anything else that you feel is a vital part of your creative
process.)
A: In most cases, I crave
NOISE around me. So when I’m writing during the day, I love having the sounds
of the court shows entertaining me. I’m not really all that deep and don’t take
myself too seriously, so my method is totally informal. And food. I always need
food in my path.
What’s your inspiration?
A: Anything that makes me
laugh, and most of what doesn’t break me.
Q: What kind of legacy do you
expect your writing to leave?
A: The same as my dance – a
legacy of healing hearts.
Q: What advice would you give to
aspiring writers?
A: Kick FEAR in the teeth and
let it know it doesn’t own you! Go for it – don’t let the opinions of others
keep you from completing your destiny.
Q: What’s on your bookshelf or in
your e-reader library?
A: Mostly novels by Michelle
Stimpson, Tiffany L. Warren and Kimberla Lawson Roby.
Q: What are you currently working on?
A: The next novel in my
Practice What You Praise series is already getting my attention, as well as a
children’s book series that won’t let my heart go.
About the Author
Candice Y. Johnson is a choreographer, dancer, indie actress, speaker, author and freelance writer who has rested her head on a pillow in Dallas, Texas for most of her life. Known for her dynamic choreography as the artistic director of the award-winning Ordered Steps Productions dance company, Candice has garnered more social media support for her original, creative, energetic writing style than her not-so-veiled obsession with Tabasco Sauce! Her work has been featured in the Associated Press, the Dallas Morning News, TV Guide, Curly Nikki, Mahogany Curls, her own blog – The Frizzness, and so much more! Currently, she’s using her left-handed brainpower to pour into the next chapter of the Practice What You Praise novel series!
When not enjoying the occasional fleeting moment at home with her hubby, this dance ministry coach and encourager moves to her own invisible beat, and is dancing from her keyboard straight to the heart of the people!
Social Media
Twitter: @iamworship7
Instagram: naturaldancer
No comments:
Post a Comment