Written Author Interview
- Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do outside of writing. What is a day in the life like for you?
I have a master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in applied behavior analysis. I was born in Highland Park, Michigan and raised in Detroit. Being the survivor of epilepsy and an abusive relationship has afforded me the opportunity to be the proud recipient of the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) and speak about domestic violence at many venues, including the historical Wayne State University. This was the opened door that I needed to walk into so many other rooms. I have been recognized for my work in over 15 publications including: Pretty Women Hustle, Today’s Purpose Woman, Issu, Stardom 101, Voyage Michigan, Canvas Rebel, Bold Journey, Shout Out, and graced the cover of Independent Artist Magazine. I am the host of the Everything Doris Show on Gynesis Radio Network and the Did You See What I Saw podcast.
Additionally, I have several literary greats underneath my belt. The available titles includes; Love Sucks, Black Tye Affair, Covert Significance, Flower Behind the Brick Wall, Ashes in the Name, Devoted Secret, Candi’s Superpower, Testing the Water, and Pretty Punishment. Some of my more intimate work is featured in Chasing Butterflies by Thomas Holmes and Wounds to Wisdom: The Survivor Series Volume 3 by Tamiko Lowry Pugh. Aside from writing…I love talking! I am the host of the Everything Doris Show on Gynesis Radio Network and the Did You See What I Saw podcast. I also design clothes. That is how I decompress. A day in the life for me. I get my son and grand daughter off to school and then I live off of a To Do List. It could be anything from cutting out a pattern to meeting a project word count. Or I might have to record my show. It depends.
2. What inspired your first novel? What was the thing that got you into writing in the first place?
I discovered my love for writing early on in her life, first by falling in love with the writings of Dr. Suess. What peaked my interest even more was reading The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland. I was delighted by word play and intrigued by symbolism.
3. How do you come up with characters? Are they spontaneous or meticulously planned?
Honestly, my characters just appear, and then I begin the designing process.
4. What are some of your favorite genres to read? Are there any books you’d recommend to first time readers or people looking for something new?
My favorite genre is romedy…romance, comedy and drama. And of course, I would recommend any of my books and projects.
5. What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer?
The most difficult thing about writing for me may make a crazy person. I become one with each of my characters in order to craft them…to make them believable. And I get attached to them.
6. What is your process to completiing a novel from outline to final product?
My process always includes a playlist. The music always sets the pace. I listen to a song as much as I need to so that I can be who I need to be.
7. What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve written in your novel? Don’t worry, we don’t judge here.
This could be scary. I had a character who was envious of his half brother…the illegitimate son. He manipulated his half brother into certain behaviors knowing that they were kin…including impregnating his best friend and cheating on her with the best friend first cousin. They had two children. And then he attacked and cut off the ear of his mom. He raped the half brother’s wife and killed her…except she wasn’t dead. Part two of that book revealed that in the beginning. It was crazy!
8. What’s one thing about being a writer that absolutely drives you up the wall?
Letting the characters go after the novel is complete is a challenge for me.
9. What does being a successful writer look like for you? What type of life do you want to live as a writer?
I hope that my real life story as a survvior of domestic violence and epilepsy will save somebody..encourage somebody..
10. Describe your writing journey. If you had to write a story centered around it, do you think you could pull it off?
My writing journey began when my older brother gave me a journal for my 9th birthday…and I have been keeping journals for over 40 years. Writing in my journal has been my best friend during so many times…the good and the bad. Pulling it off has been and is still difficult as I am working to write the book that tells it all.
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About
Doris has a master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in applied behavior analysis. She was born in Highland Park, Michigan and raised in Detroit. Being the survivor of epilepsy and an abusive relationship has afforded her the opportunity to be the proud recipient of the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) and speak about domestic violence at many venues, including the historical Wayne State University. This was the opened door that she needed to walk into so many other rooms.
Doris discovered her love for writing early on in her life, first by falling in love with the writings of Dr. Suess. What peaked her interest more was reading The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland. She was delighted by word play and intrigued by symbolism. Not only does she write for children, but she also escapes into the throws of passion, some poison, magic, some tragic, romance, drama, and comedy novels. She has been recognized for her work in over 15 publications.
Doris is the host of the Everything Doris Show on Gynesis Radio Network and the Did You See What I Saw podcast.
She says this all the time and will say it again…”Decide to have it and be ready to receive it. Hands wide open.”
Additionally, she has several literary greats underneath her belt. The available titles includes; Love Sucks, Black Tye Affair, Covert Significance, Flower Behind the Brick Wall, Ashes in the Name, Devoted Secret, Candi’s Super Power, and Pretty Punishment. Some of her more intimate work is featured in Wounds to Wisdom: The Survivor Series Volume 3 by Tamiko Lowry Pugh.
Social Media
Website: www.everythingdoris
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doris.johnson.355
Instagram: instagram.com/everythingdoris
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