Meet Anna Rose Johnson

Picture Courtesy Anna Rose Johnson

During the process of preparing The Jewel of Berlin for publishing this summer, I had the opportunity to read an ARC (advanced reader copy) of a book called The Blossoming Summer, which mixes the rich heritage of the Ojibwe Indians with WWII and a setting that reminded me of Green Gables, all while delivering a very relatable older-sister as the main character. In light of The Jewel of Berlin's release coming up in November, I decided to try and do an interview with this fellow Historical Fiction author whom I absolutely adore. She was kind enough to do a little Q and A with me. So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Anna Rose Johnson, author of Middle-Grade Historical fiction that'll remind you of everything you loved about the American Girl books, Anne of Green Gables, and Little Women.

Q: How did you start writing?

A: I don’t really remember a time when I wasn’t writing, it was always something I enjoyed! My earliest stories were about cats and dogs. 😊

Q: Since just about every author’s journey is different, what made you want to become an author?

A: Again, this was a dream I had since I was very small, so I don’t remember the specifics of it. But I knew that being published was important, and that’s what I wanted: to be a published author! I was very serious about getting published even at seven years old, and worked hard to make sure that my manuscripts didn’t contain any spelling errors. 😉

Q: What would you say you enjoy most about being an author?

A: There are many things I enjoy about being an author, so it’s hard to narrow it down. But I love hearing from readers—those kind notes make my day!—and I have such fun inventing brand-new stories. Brainstorming is my favorite part of the writing process, and that joy of a new idea is so special.

Q: How long does it typically take for you to write a book?

A: Generally, it takes me about three months to draft a novel, but it takes longer for me to do the early work (brainstorming, researching, etc.) and then revising the book afterward. From idea to publication, I worked on The Star That Always Stays from 2014-2022, The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry from 2021-2024, and The Blossoming Summer from 2021-2025.

Q: Do you have any writing-time rituals (like music, snacks, etc.) that help you stay focused?

A: I don’t have too many rituals, but I have been known to use candy as rewards during long writing sessions. 😊 I do have certain songs I listen to during different portions of my drafting process, and I switch back and forth between writing on my computer, typing on my typewriter, and handwriting in my notebook.

Q: Christian Middle-Grade Historical Fiction is not a much-used genre these days, so I’m curious… how did you decide to write in that genre?

A: My faith is important to me, and I really wanted to incorporate that element into my stories. Ever since I was “middle grade age” myself, I wanted to write for that audience, which is lovely because MG books are still my very favorites. And historical fiction is also something I’ve been interested in for years, because even as a young child, I was fascinated by the Edwardian era and wanted to write stories set in that time period.

Q: What would you tell any young writers out there who want to be a Historical Fiction author?

A: I would say that you need to have fun with it! Some young writers are afraid of the research process, and even though it can be challenging, it’s also a delight. There are so many cool things to discover!

Q: Just for fun, do you prefer coffee or tea?

A: I actually don’t drink either! 😊 But my ultimate favorite snack is a brownie!

Once again, a huge thanks to our guest for the Q and A! If you'd like to find out more about Anna Rose Johnson, you can check out her books on Amazon here, and find her author website here! And if this post has inspired you to start writing something yourself, be sure to check out the Fall Writing Competition I'm hosting!

-L.E. Levens