College sophomore Renee Johnson dreamed of becoming a published writer. During her senior year in high school, she sent a summary of one of her manuscripts to a publisher and a year later received a request to read the manuscript. Meanwhile, Renee’s computer had crashed and she no longer had a copy of that story. So she took a chance and sent another. The publisher liked it.It sounds like the plot of one of her novels, but these events really happened to Campbell University Mass Communication major Renee Johnson. The second manuscript, “In Each Others’ Dreams,” the story of a small town girl who lands her dream job in New York only to discover that she must deal with her feelings for a past love, was recently published by Publish America.The book jacket calls it “…A journey to discover what really matters,” but to Johnson, who has been writing as a hobby since she was in 6th grade, the Romance novel not only provides a means of escape, but a voice to express her thoughts on issues that are important to her, like abortion and redemption.”I’m a dreamer. I watch romantic movies and I get ideas for books,” she said. “I guess no matter what you write, but particularly romance, writing or reading lets you experience a million different love stories. It also allows me to express my feelings. I wanted the book ‘In Each Others’ Dreams’ to make people think about how other people perceive life and how important it is not to judge others. This book kind of teaches you that even if you’ve messed up, you can still come back home and God will still be there waiting.”Johnson’s next book, “Secrets,” which she is currently working on, deals with the controversial issue of abortion and how a teenage runaway learns to cope with the events that have shaped her life.”This book is even more like an inspirational Romance,” said Johnson. “The main character has abandoned her faith and she must come back to that.”A prolific writer, Johnson has sketched out plots for many other books. A series based on her book, “The Willows Girls, Roots and Wings,” follows the lives of five sisters whose father is deceased and whose mother abandoned them in childhood.”The series describes each of the sister’s journeys and how the tragedies they experience bring them closer together,” Johnson said. “They go through conflict, death and an expedition to find their mother, but they also find strength in their love for each other.”In all, Johnson has written approximately 20 manuscripts including short stories.”I get a basic idea of where I want the book to go and when I’m going to sleep at night or when I’m kind of daydreaming, I’ll write down a basic outline,” she said. “Then I just have to think up the details. Sometimes when I’m writing I stray from the original plot and get new ideas, but for the most part I stick to the outline.”Johnson draws her inspiration from the novelists she most admires such as Karen Kingsbury, Nicholas Sparks and the Bronte sisters. She would like to pursue a career in broadcasting when she graduates, but her first love is fiction.”I’m interested in a career in television or radio, but then I’d love, when I have children, just to stay at home and write,” she said.Johnson is the daughter of William and Sherry Johnson, of Fuquay-Varina, N.C. She has a brother Brandon. “In Each Others’ Dreams” is available directly from Publish America at www.PublishAmerica.com, or call 301.695.1707; and through book wholesalers, Ingram, Baker & Taylor and the Brodart Company, 800.233.8467.Photo Copy: Campbell sophomore, Renee Johnson, becomes published Romance novelist. (Photo by Shannon Ryals)
Campbell Mass Communication major dabbles in Romance