I am so excited to share a Guest Post
on my blog today from author Johanna K. Pitcairn
First
and foremost, thanks for the opportunity to be featured on your blog. Every
indie author needs all the support they can get, and I’m very grateful for all
the support I’ve received and am receiving.
My
post will be about 32 Seconds, and its main character Julie Jones.
“Are
you ready to go to any length?” The story started years ago—as a series titled
“Death By Chocolate”. The plot wasn’t extensively developed. I started writing
about this seventeen year old girl whose life didn’t make any sense, and who
sought an escape to her problems at all cost. After encountering an old lady
outside a one-dollar store, Julie Jones ate an enchanted chocolate that
immediately transported her to a parallel universe. From there, the story
changed, evolved, became extremely personal, and finally, carried a message I
didn’t think myself capable of delivering.
There’s
magic in writing. I have an idea in mind, and follow my characters’ lead. The
idea grows, and blossoms into something bigger. I often surprise myself too. I
have to thank my editor for his advice and guidance though. 32 Seconds wouldn’t
be what it is today without his help.
“Death
by Chocolate” was retitled “The Truth Within” before I decided to pick “32
Seconds”. The meaning is explained at the end of the book—during the grand
finale. I won’t spoil anything. Just know that the number 32 (3+2) gives the
number 5, which is special to me. In numerology, 5 is a dynamic number. Always
in motion, and always in need of change, 5 is feminine with tomboyish
qualities. 5 is independent, and a risk-taker. 5 is loyal, but when not in a
relationship, likes to fly from flower to flower without any strings attached.
5 can adapt to anything. 5 is charismatic, charming, good looking, smart, but
drawn to be an outcast given anything conventional bores 5 to death. 5 is
judgmental, self-righteous and sometimes, uptight.
Now
you get a portrait of Julie Jones. She’s the number 5. She seeks freedom of
thought and action, she cannot be controlled but is far from being
narrow-minded. Her sense of humor is healthy, she carries her heart on her
sleeve and often gives it to the wrong person because she’s not the greatest judge
of character. On the negative side, she’s selfish, reckless and irresponsible.
She tends to procrastinate and be unreliable. She will experiment with drugs,
sex and alcohol and other weakness of the flesh. She deals with a desire for
instant gratification, a sense of invulnerability, lack of discipline and
restraint.
Julie
Jones and the other protagonists ruled my life for one full year before I was
pleased with how the story flowed. 32 Seconds takes place in California, but my
inspiration came from the streets of New York City where I work, and used to
live until a year ago. I love the pace, and the energy the Big Apple give me,
but I have to take it in moderation in order to stay sane and grounded.
I
hope you enjoy 32 Seconds!
So rather than face the troubles that torment her, Julie decides to run away from her old life and start fresh somewhere new. But her parents aren’t on board with the plan, and she soon finds her bank accounts frozen and her wallet empty.
With just seventy-five dollars and a full tank of gas, the troubled teen is far too stubborn to turn around and head home. So what’s a girl to do?
What Julie doesn’t know is that her travels are about to take her somewhere unexpected—a place where she’ll be forced to come face to face with the ghosts of her past in order to secure her future.
A tale of redemption, hope, and freedom lost and found, 32 Seconds is a thought-provoking exploration into the human spirit and the nature of forgiveness.
Available on Amazon
About the Author
Johanna K. Pitcairn has dreamed of becoming a writer since childhood--authoring her first novel at the age of nine, and countless poems, stories, and screenplays by the age of seventeen. Later, rather than pursuing a career as a director and screenwriter, she decided to go to law school, driven by her father's opinion that "writing does not pay the bills."
Ten years later, she moved to New York City, which inspired her to go back to the excitement, wonder, and constant change of being a writer. Pitcairn is a huge fan of psychological-thriller novels and movies, and delves into her hopes, fears, friends, enemies, and everything in between in her own writing.
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