Interview with Helen Johnson -  B.D. News

What prompted you to write? I mean honestly, did you know you could?
No, and I still don't I just really enjoy doing it.  It's not a job or a heavy burden or not
even a burden of love, it's just something I enjoy...It's peaceful and relaxing and I just
like creating on paper.  My first brush with writing began when I was just a youngster.  
We were poor with only one television.  My older siblings and I had to share that one
TV and watched whatever was on.
Most of the time, we watched educational shows like Family Feud and whether some
[people] may not wish to acknowledge it, shows like Andy Griffin and All in the Family
were teaching tools as well.
Well first, let me say, my parents had a rule, and that was that before “our time” came,
we had to commit to hours and hours of chores.  Well, if I can recall, one early, early
Saturday morning, my dad was away working one of his many jobs and my siblings and
I agreed that since our dad
was not there to enforce the rules of chores first and playtime later, we would do what
we wanted so we sat and watched a few cartoons.  One of the shows we were
watching - I think it was Fat Albert.  Anyway, it mentioned something about entering a
contest about bicycle safety and my two older sisters decided I could win if I just
answered all the questions correctly as well as write an essay.  So, with their help – of
course – I entered the contest and won a bicycle as well as my picture in the
newspaper.  It was a thrill for all of us, but never did I know, that I would want to be a
journalist of some kind.

So, in actuality, your initial desire was to be a journalist.
Yes.  At the time and as I grew older, I dreamt of working for the newspaper, but I
never knew how to go about it.  Yes I had siblings who could have given me some
insight, but I suppose I
did not actually speak up.  And that’s just one of my many problems. (giggle)

I heard that subtle laugh. Now tell me, what do you mean by ‘one of many
problems’?
Well, I do have a problem with speaking out…at the appropriate time. …I suppose that
has been one of my drawbacks.  I hate that I didn't admit my interest in writing, but I
don't have any problems with speaking up and out now.

Do you still regret not speaking up about certain things....name an occasion
that you missed the chance.
Yes, I do regret speaking up - missing an opportunity to share the thoughts and ideas of
my characters.  Had I told someone...anyone that I wanted to be a writer, there is no
telling where I might be today.  But don’t get me wrong, I don’t truly regret it, as I’ve
had a chance to grow and learn so many different things in different areas of my life.  
The experiences I’ve had and endured are memorable.  But, I do regret being so
withdrawn when a TV reporter asked me a question and because I was so nervous
and uncomfortable, I just let out a dumbfounded, ‘I don’t know.’  The silly thing was, I
actually did know the answer but just… well for some strange reason I did not say.

Are there any regrets about writing or your decisions to write anything
particular on a particular topic?
Well, I’ve never written anything that I later felt was unfair or something that I later
regretted feeling strongly about.  I mean, I've written certain columns that some people
might have felt were unfair or mean, but I've never written anything that wasn't ...true
or nothing that was just outright mean and nasty...not something that would
purposefully ridicule anyone for no apparent reason. But I do regret not pushing my
first book sooner.  At this age now, I’m feeling the pangs of regret about Shades of
Bright Pale.  I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for sitting on it for as long as I did.

Tell me, just exactly how long has it been?
(laughs) Please! I wrote the novel, Shades of Bright Pale in 1994 and was copy written
and certified in 1995.  I do not think anyone in the whole world will ever know how
much I regret not trying to push it further...sooner.

Let me break here...Shades of White Pale is said to be renamed.
It's Shades of Bright Pale, but yes, I felt I had to because originally, I titled it "A
whiter shade of pale," but when I considered what type of legal issues I could face
from the original artist, Keith Reid, I quickly changed the title.  However, the plot
remains the same as described by Mr. Reid, "a wild party."

Okay, that was quick thinking. But let me stay on track and ask have you
learned your lesson and will you seek to push your work sooner?
Oh yes.  As soon as I think it is polished, edited again and again.  I will not hesitate, but
will work harder for publication.

Besides sitting on your work, what else have you learned?
Well, I have certainly learned to speak up and asked for help, in addition, I’ve learned
that there are a million other people just like me; people who work hard and have
quality work, but are in the same boat.  However, my attitude is new and improved and
I have dedicated much more time to the things I love and enjoy most.

When you’re not writing, what else do you do in your free time?
When I’m not sorting out my scrawl, I’m behind the camera capturing moments that I
feel are beautiful and most memorable to me.  Also, I enjoy the quiet solitude in sharing
and spending time with my husband and my little Dashe.  By the way, people assumed
that I gave her that name because she is a Dottie, but it is a given name because she is
so fast.  I mean literally, she keeps me on the go and I must say she is a girl’s best
friend.

That's cute.
She has helped me appreciate things and laugh more.  I suffer with bouts of temporary
paralysis and fatigue, but she makes sure that I get over it quickly and forces me to do
more.  Sometimes, I think she’s saying, ‘Momma, you’re not old yet - get up and
move!’  Honestly, I could not have asked for a better helper. Oh, and by the way, I don’
t own her, but I’m genuinely happy to admit that she owns my husband and me.

That’s good; a faithful buddy keeping you on the go.  Any children?
I'm still a child myself.  No but seriously, I do not have any biological children.  I tend to
take to and adopt my own nieces and nephews and friend's children.  And once they
are gone home, I have an inspiring little doggie that keeps me on the go and keeps me
from giving in.

Have you considered it…giving up?
Yes, I have.  I mean, I thought I did not have anything to say or people just were not
interested in what I had to say.  But I learned that not only does everyone have a story,
but through the years, before my dog, I have found that whatever else I had going on, I
would always revert back to writing. No matter what I was doing, no matter what my
employment status was or was not, I always picked up pen and paper. And if I did not
have those tools, I always had a Dictaphone. Whatever it took, I used it to record my
thoughts. Now, they may not have always been extraordinary thoughts or something so
profound, but I would always find peace. When my dad was dying, I wrote about it and
after he died, I wrote about him too. No matter what, I’m always penning and
recording some idea that may have just popped into my mind, or perhaps continue
where I left off with an ongoing project. Unless I lose my eyesight and I become much
more demented than what I already am (laugh), I will continue to write. …I suppose
until I feel as though I just have nothing else to say and up until the day I die.

What other books and projects are you currently working, on and what do you
vision for the near future?
Well, I’m working on a fine tuning another novel I started some time ago… you know
editing and completing the characters.  Also, I had started a story or a series of four
stories all rolled into one about life on the net and in the mean time, search or consider
writing another column. ...I don't know.

A book about the Internet? Now that sounds interesting.
Well, I hope so.  I mean, I want people to be aware of what goes on in chat rooms and
if a parent is clueless, then I hope it will wake them up.

So, it’s a self-help book on the dangers in chat rooms?
Oh no…I mean, … well, I suppose now that you put it that way, it could be.  But I just
want people to know.  You know, too many people both young and old leisurely use
those rooms and pass along personal information to a stranger who may have bad
intentions. …I just want people to know.

Wait now. Are you saying that all of the chat rooms are bad?
No, no not at all.  Just a way of keeping people informed.  But also, the stories have
good or even great and exciting conclusions....and not just chat rooms, but the
experience of the web.

Is any of it by way of personal experience?
(laughs) Somewhat.  I’ve met some great people across the lines.  Oh and by the way,
that’s what it is titled, Across the Lines.  But anyway, I came up with the idea as I sat
and watched my computer screen and just made up some characters and before I
knew it, I just kept elaborating each and every word or sentence I typed while
developing and improving the characters.

So with all of that, it seems you are pretty busy.
Well, I certainly hope so because I’m getting older and time seems to pass so quickly.  
I want to do everything now!  I’ve set so many goals and there are so many things I
want to do, I think I’m running out of time.  And then when I think of how that time
and my life is spent, I get anxious.  I suppose another mental flaw.

Lets go back here… are there any regrets?  Are there anymore then you’ve
already mentioned?
Well, I regret wasting time that’s for sure.  What I know now, I certainly wish that God
had bestowed that knowledge on me some years ago, but since I’m just going through
this stage now, I have to move...now.  ...Look, I'm sure most or at least some people
wish they could be a better, parent...or spouse, friend, listener or confidant...or
whatever, but when are we going to change and make sure that we are better or at
least try and at least make some attempt to progress?  Before I leave this earth, I’d like
to think that I did the best I could at everything.  Even if I fail, I at least want to be at
peace knowing that I attempted to get it right or complete things.  There is just so little
time.  Some years ago, I met a woman in her 70’s, but I tell ya, she looked every bit of
late 40’s or even early 50’s.  I asked her how does she look so good and keep up, and
she simply stated by not giving into this life, not worrying and enjoying what you have,
and then she just walked away.  And ever since then, I hoped that I could live by that
motto, but I know I will not be able to, but what I will do, is enjoy all I can when I can
and attempt to help people as I go.  It gives me such a thrill to share my blessings. ...oh
and others have share theirs with me too. I'll never forget the ninety-year-old man who
was dying and his last words were Life is so short.
I refuse to be caught sitting doing nothing and allow missed time and opportunities to
rest comfortably.  I know I should not worry, but I do. I'm human.  I can't help
worrying about family and friends and the way of this world, but like I said, I will not
just sit and wait.  My mother used to say "Weight broke the train down."  So, I tend to
not waste much time...at least not any more.

Other than Keeba's Korner, what else is there?
I have a plethora of things that I've written for myself, my family and others, but things
like my compositions…or personal things, decorate my coffee table or are left
someplace in my computer or on a piece of paper or in my Dictaphone.

Why?
I don't know.  I'm working on several things at the moment, but I know I'll get around
to them.  I need more time.  (sic) I'm not sitting on them - no not like before - but some
things need a little more polish.

So the next time we talk, will Shades of Bright Pale be in theatres?
I certainly hope so!  It does not matter if it makes it to the big screen, but I certainly
hope to have it on a screen...someplace...anywhere.

Anything else?
Yes, I’m writing and writing along with taking photos while working on my poster for
my next screenplay.  I just ask that you continue praying for me.

Thank you for your time.
*
Interview
Keeba
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