Meet C. S. Johnson: Writer, Author, Self-Styled Eccentric

We had the good fortune of connecting with C. S. Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi C. S., have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
In the era of COVID, a lot of things have changed, and my life is no exception. I have always been able to write from home or the coffeeshop, but now it’s usually in the company of my children or family members. I am not getting my work done as quickly as I’d like, but that wouldn’t happen even if COVID wasn’t around. I am a very happy “trophy wife,” so I am used to juggling hats around the house. Wife, mom, therapist, confidante, friend, cleaning lady, and cook are all part of the human experience for me. I am very happy with most of them, too — except for cleaning! In finding balance, I think a big trick is just to know when it’s going to cost you too much, and when it’s a matter of investment. There’s an aura of risk when it comes to being a writer, and I think it’s important to minimize the risks involved with that as much as possible. Some risk is still necessary, though, and really, that’s true for anything. I got my Master’s degree thinking I would be a teacher for years, and I still have nightmares about my student loan debt. It’s hard not to think it was a gamble that didn’t pay off, even if I enjoyed it. I took a risk in getting married at a young-ish age (is 20 too young?) and I have seen billionaire-jackpot dividends in that regard. Between my happy marriage to my real-life-hero husband, my beautiful and energetic children, I am a very, very rich lady!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey as a writer has been filled with a lot of ups and downs, but it also provides a great deal of stability to my life. I enjoy getting to write things that make people think in new ways, that offer insight and commentary into relationships, character, and the idea of destiny. I am a Christian and a writer, but I am also a person of good faith. I believe it’s important to encourage people to have hope in their darkest moments, and to celebrate the good people have to offer. I like that I am able to do that with my readers.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My friends and fans who come to visit me are always welcome. We’d go to the Kennesaw Governor’s Gun Club for some shooting — in part because it’s fun to watch my more liberal friends squirm (as I did when I first learned), and in part because it’s fun to watch my conservative friends battle it out with me to see who’s the better shot — and then we would go eat at the Fickle Pickle. It’s a sweet little dessert and coffee shop in Historical Roswell, but I’d honestly drive there just for their chocolate ginger cookies alone. And then we would probably just hang out at the mall and go to the Sushi Factory in Marietta. There’s also a lot of good parks I’d enjoy visiting with them. I’m happy where I’m at, and I’m very happy to just spend my time with the people who matter.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people I could dedicate my efforts to, but the only one worthy of any admiration and glory is Jesus Christ.

Website: https://www.csjohnson.me
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writercsjohnson
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoczvm-7NVXhhbnvijTZPRg
Other: https://www.gab.com/writercsjohnson