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Local Man’s First Novel Includes Local Setting, People and Appeal Adventure book set on Raft and Dead Man’s islands
MICHELLE ROGERS-MOORE/OF THE GATEWAY The novel is what Johns hopes to be the first in a five-book adventure series based on the lives of his children and the friends they grew up with spending summers on Raft and Dead Man’s islands. “It just sounded like a fun story,” Johns said. Johns’ initial motivation came after the deaths of local teen Drew Johnson in 1999 who died of cancer, followed by his brother Nate Johnson two years later. Johns’ family being friends with the boys’ family, he said he felt compelled to write a story about them. But the idea of writing about cancer didn’t settle well with Johns, so he took a different approach — the countless summer adventures of the boys and his children. “I thought, ‘there’s room here for some fun,’” Johns said. In 1999, with little writing background, Johns began to develop the story from the things he knows best — his family, Raft Island and the greater Puget Sound — and what developed was a story of adventure about discovering how Dead Man’s Island obtained its name. Being new to the business of writing, Johns said he often put the novel down. “What kept me going was that I felt a drive to produce something wholesome and worthwhile for kids to read,” the father of six said. Johns said he intentionally included subtle references to God, prayer, “proper relationships” and what he deems the real meaning to life, he said.
The story is above all an adventure novel, but Johns said he combined it
with mystery, as well as high moral ground. “I think the youth can always use another message,” Johns added. Johns and his family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with which he said they are “very involved.” All Johns’ children have gone, or are planning to go, on missions and Johns served as a bishop for the LDS Gig Harbor ward from 1995 to 2000. It was after his time as bishop concluded that Johns found himself with extra time and began to fill it with writing. He said his family has been supportive, although he said his children “kind of laugh at the idea of dad writing.” Johns works full time as a regional sales manager, often traveling by plane weekly. After Johns finished writing the first book about two years ago, he initially submitted it to about 50 publishing houses, he said.
“Finding a publisher is a difficult task,” he said looking back. At one point during the waiting, Johns said he contemplated driving to Kinko’s, making copies of the manuscript, giving them to family members and calling it quits. But finally, Tate Publishing came through and the publishing process began. Johns is currently in the promotion process of the book, which he said is time consuming. He hosted a pre-release book signing at Borders in Tacoma earlier this month that he said more than 100 people attended. “Borders management said it was the most successful event they have hosted at the store,” he said after the event. “It was an exciting evening and I hope for many more just like it.” During the gathering, Johns gave attendees a sneak peak at the second book, “Legend of the Masks,” which is still in the works, he said. He hopes to eventually publish five books in the series. Johns said he’s received positive feedback from readers thus far, particularly at the Borders book signing. “People were excited to have a series that takes place right in Henderson Bay, the Narrows and Gig Harbor and one that they are anxious to read,” he said, continuing, “and happy to have their children read as it encourages strong moral values.”
Copyright 2006, The Island Gang. All rights reserved |
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