Varian Johnson On-Line

How did you come up with the idea of A Red Polka Dot In A World Full of Plaid?

I got the idea to write this novel over ten years ago as I sat in the airport. I saw a skinny, redheaded, light-skinned girl, and suddenly I began creating a history that fit her. By the time my flight arrived, I had created my main characters, Maxine and Deke. The rest was easy.

Are any of your characters based on real people?

No. Every character I create is a reflection of me in one way or another.

Who’s your favorite character (of the books you’re written)?

Maxine Phillips, from A Red Polka Dot In A World Full of Plaid. She’s really crass, sarcastic, and cynical, and she responds to adversity the way I would want to -- with humor. She’s also the main character of the first novel I ever had published, so I think Maxine and I will always have a special bond.

And yes, I’m fully aware that I talk about her like she’s a real person.

Did you always want to become a writer?

No. First, I wanted to be an acrobat. Then I wanted to be a policeman, followed by a motorcycle stuntman and a superhero. Eventually, as I read more books, I realized that I wanted to be a writer.

Are you a full-time writer?

I’m blessed to have two careers that I enjoy greatly: writing and engineering. My "part-time" job (the job that I’ll quit as soon as I become a NY Times Bestseller and sell one-hundred million books) is as a structural engineer. I design bridges.

A writer and an engineer? How do you do both?

I used to worry that people in the writing industry wouldn’t respect me because of my engineering, number-crunching background, and that people in the engineering world wouldn’t respect me because of my right-brained, fiction background.

Then I had the great fortune to meet Norton Juster. Not only is Mr. Juster the acclaimed author of The Phantom Tollbooth, but he is also an accomplished architect and professor. I asked for his opinion on balancing both worlds. Basically, he said not to worry about what other people thought; to let the work -- writing or design -- speak for itself.

And you know what? He’s right.

What are you working on now? Are you writing a sequel to A Red Polka Dot In A World Full of Plaid or My Life As A Rhombus?

I’m not working on a sequel. At least, not yet. I’m currently working on a novel that is, for lack of a better description, a love story.

Can you come speak at my school or library?

Of course--I love speaking to both students and adults about writing and my books. Shoot me an e-mail at vcj(at)varianjohnson.com and I can send you information about my rates and schedule [Replace the (at) with @].

How do I get published?

Hmm...I wish the answer were as simple as the question. First of all, you have to realize the harsh facts on writing. Most authors never make enough money on writing alone to survive. Writing can be a long and solitary process; you have to have dedication to sit down everyday and put words to paper. And even if you write a great novel, you still have to find someone willing to publish it, and people still have to buy the book.

Now, if you’re still determined to become a writer after all of this, then I have good news -- you’re already halfway there. I would suggest joining a local writing group. Many of the national writing groups (Romance Writers of America, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, etc.) have local groups that you can join for feedback and support. Read not only the classics, but read what is popular in the genre you’re interested in. Most importantly, you must write. Everyday. Writers don’t think about writing. Writer’s write.

What’s your favorite book?

That’s a loaded question. Favorite can mean a lot of different things -- some books are my favorite because they make me laugh, others are my favorite because they make me think. It’s hard to pick my favorite book, but the following are some recently published books that I like (in no particular order):