DWR Award Children's Book Finalist Cheryl A. Johnson

This week’s Writer Wednesday is author and DWR Award children’s book finalist Cheryl A. Johnson from Kentwood, Michigan! 

Cheryl is a former special education teacher. She is also an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, 12x12, Rate Your Story and two critique groups. In 2019, her story “My Brother, the Moon and Me” (a military love story) was selected by  Random House editor Frances Gilbert as the winner of SCBWI’s Marvelous Midwest Manuscript Contest. 

Join us virtually on Jan. 13 @ 7 p.m. to meet the DWR Award winners and recognize their work! Proceeds benefit our nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward. Get tickets.

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Revision. I’m part of two critique groups, and I look forward to their input and suggestions. I like seeing that multiple people love certain parts of a story, but also appreciate it when several are having trouble with specific passages, characters, wording, etc. Sometimes I’m ready to dig right back in and other times, I need to let it sit for a bit so I’m willing to really see what others are struggling with. All of this allows me to move forward and continue polishing the story.


What does your writing workspace look like?

My absolute favorite place to write is my summer “office” — our pontoon boat sitting in its slip on Gun Lake. My fall/winter office looks quite a bit different and Includes a space heater and a latte. Writing-related quotes, artwork and an SCBWI award surround my desk, and I love the wooded view with wildlife out my windows. I do my best writing when around water and woods. 

What part of writing your children’s book did you enjoy the most?

The research, or I should refer to it as the Research Rabbit Hole! So much to learn, so many historical nuggets, and so many holes to lose myself in. But once I dragged myself back to the surface, I had a vision for the story. Though that changed over time, it always came back to the research to guide the story.

What is your favorite non-writing hobby?

Photography. I love taking pictures of sunsets, wildlife and nature. 

What is your favorite piece of writing advice?

I have a section for quotes in my writing planner. It’s difficult to pick just one, so I’ll share two: 

“Submitting is an act of bravery. Celebrate your tries as well as your successes, and you’ll find yourself trying more and more.” — author Hannah Holt

“Manure makes the plants grow.” — author Nancy Churnin regarding crappy first drafts

What writing projects are you currently working on?

Some of the picture books I’m currently working on are a STEM-inspired fractured fairy tale, a nonfiction story about an animal in a segregated zoo, an unusual veggie that offers words of encouragement and support in the garden and one about how to start a story when you’re stuck. I’m also playing around with a middle grade idea about female empowerment and an iconic symbol of WWII.