Overcoming the Challenge of Distractions

By Kimberly Rose Johnson

Kimberly Rose Johnson

I am easily distracted and as a writer that can be difficult especially in the summer when the kids are off of school. This past summer has been extra challenging because I had an unexpected tight deadline and I couldn’t be distracted. I had two weeks to write the last half of a book due to a scheduling issue with my editor.

I’ve always been good at time management, and realized if I got up and wrote first thing in the morning, skipping all my other daily rituals, except reading my Bible, then I would have approximately three hours of distraction free silence before my teenage son got out of bed. I’m a creature of habit, so this wasn’t easy, but I did it. I had the book finished with a couple of days to spare!

Because overcoming distractions is a daily issue for me, I’ve learned other methods to cope. I’ve been know to put ear buds on and tune out what’s going on around me, but lol the songs can’t have words because that would distract me. I’ve also sequestered myself in my bedroom until I’ve met my deadline. The other thing that I found that worked well, was explaining to my boys, when they were younger, that I had a deadline and as soon as I met that deadline, life will go back to normal. They understood that and gave me my space for the most part. :-)

Finally, distractions are a part of daily life that come on the form of laundry, ringing phones, pets, social media . . . the list is endless, but with a plan you too can overcome the distractions that eat away at your writing time. I encourage you to make a plan and stick with it for a week, then evaluate how it went. Did it work, or do you need to try something different? If I, the queen of being distracted, can do it then so can you. :-)

Kimberly’s Bio: Kimberly Rose Johnson holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two teenage sons, and their yellow lab. She writes sweet Christian romance and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She enjoys taking long walks with her husband and dog, reading, dark chocolate and time with friends. You may contact Kimberly at:

Website: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com. 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/krose1990

Kimberly’s latest release is Island Dreams:

Mountain Brook Ink, 2015

Piper Hunt arrives on Wildflower Island to develop family property into an upscale resort knowing this may be her last chance to prove her worth to her father. With grandiose ideas, she soon finds herself at odds with adjoining property owner, Chase Grayson. As she begins to appreciate the simplicity of the island, she struggles to maintain balance between her father's wishes, preserving the natural beauty of the island, and her attraction for Chase.

Chase Grayson values the peace and quiet of Wildflower Island. That serenity is threatened when Piper Hunt discloses her plans to develop an upscale resort that not only butts up to his property, but will turn the island into a busy tourist destination. In fighting her plans, he also finds himself fighting his attraction to her. If he doesn't stop her plans for the resort, his life will be altered forever. If he succeeds, it means he will never see her again. Can he live with either choice?

Buy link for Island Dreams:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Dreams-Wildflower-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B00XYYRP66

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Overcoming Depression

By Kimberly Rose Johnson

Mountain Brook Ink, 2015

I’ve been a stay at home mom for almost twenty years now. I worked from home as a piano teacher for eighteen of those years and decided it would be best to stop teaching a couple of years ago. That was a great decision at the time because I was super busy with my new writing career. There weren’t enough hours in a day for all the work I had to do and I loved having extra time. But then everything changed. My oldest went off to college out of state, I caught up on my deadlines and my youngest began his senior year of high school. Suddenly I was alone for most of my day, I had very little work pressing, and I felt completely worthless. I lacked purpose and direction. 

Not long after school started last school year I experience my first serious bout with depression. I have never been that low, and pray I never get there again. Thankfully, it only lasted a few days, but it was a time I will remember forever. I still struggle with feeling down from time to time, but thankfully not the kind of depression I experienced last fall. 

My degree in Behavioral Science, did not prepare me for the dark place depression takes a person. What did help was my relationship with the Lord. Honestly, I don’t want to talk about those days last year. I don’t care to relive them in my mind, but I thought it was important to understand, I know what a deep dark depression feels like. Thankfully that was an isolated incident.

Recently I had a not so serious incident, and I would like to tell you what I did to get through it. I learned from my one experience last fall that I can’t allow myself to get stuck in my head. The moment I feel myself getting depressed I must take action. For me it’s a matter of getting my thought life under control and thinking positive. How do I do that? I ask the Lord for help. 

I prayed for JOY. As soon as I said amen, a song from my childhood about joy came into my mind. God knows that I am greatly affected by music and he gave me the one thing that would instantly snap me out of where I was. I sang that song in my mind until I fell asleep. The following morning my husband and I went to church and guess what? The first song we sang in worship was about joy. ☺ I was overwhelmed with His love for me. He knew my need and my prayer even before I did.

I am still smiling over His love and care. I certainly don’t have the answers for everyone who suffers from serious depression or feeling down, but for me praying and focusing my thoughts on the Lord pull me out. 

There are hotlines to call if you need help and I’m not saying don’t use those, I’m only saying for me in my instances this is what worked for me. So please if you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals.

Kimberly Rose Johnson

Kimberly Rose Johnson holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two teenage sons, and their yellow lab. She writes sweet Christian romance and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She enjoys taking long walks with her husband and dog, reading, dark chocolate and time with friends.

Kimberly’s latest release is Island Dreams. Piper Hunt arrives on Wildflower Island to develop family property into an upscale resort knowing this may be her last chance to prove her worth to her father. With grandiose ideas, she soon finds herself at odds with adjoining property owner, Chase Grayson. As she begins to appreciate the simplicity of the island, she struggles to maintain balance between her father's wishes, preserving the natural beauty of the island, and her attraction for Chase. 

Chase Grayson values the peace and quiet of Wildflower Island. That serenity is threatened when Piper Hunt discloses her plans to develop an upscale resort that not only butts up to his property, but will turn the island into a busy tourist destination. In fighting her plans, he also finds himself fighting his attraction to her. If he doesn't stop her plans for the resort, his life will be altered forever. If he succeeds, it means he will never see her again. Can he live with either choice? 

Buy link for Island Dreams:
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Island-Dreams-Wildflower-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B00XYYRP66

Find Kimberly here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberlyrosejoh
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/krose1990
Kimberly’s website: http://kimberlyrjohnson.com

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