Several of you have asked me about my recent visit to Fox 16 News in Little Rock, AR. The entire staff was so incredibly warm and welcoming and Pat Walker was a true delight. After learning that so many of you requested to watch the interview, Fox 16 graciously sent me the link. Here's a quick look at life, music, writing and what happens when God changes the plan. Enjoy! http://www.fox16.com/klrt-good-day/monday-motivation-tara-johnson/718574289 Blessings, Tara

Back and forth I went. Kitchen to bedroom, bedroom to living room. Every time I sat down to write, it seemed I heard yet another cry. "Mom! I need you!" "Mom! The dog just peed on the floor!" "Hey, honey, have you seen my socks?" "Momma! I want candy!" Through the chaos of barking dogs, calling children, buzzing dryers and ringing phones, I couldn't suppress the inner voice bearing down on me. You have to get this book finished by the end of summer. You're at the most critical part in the story too. The spiritual crux of the matter.…

I recently read this quote by Allen Arnold and it resonated deeply. "If God is pleased with your latest creation but the world ignores it, how do you feel? The answer reveals who you are creating for." Excellent question. I fall into this trap far too often. I hope people like what I've written. This new blog was a step out of my comfort zone. Will people read it? Will they like it? This doesn't even have to revolve around writing. This could be about any situation. The secret fear is, "Will they approve what I offer? Will they approve…

Not long ago, I finished up a beautiful study on the book of Hosea by Jennifer Rothschild. She challenged her readers to do something I love: to make a to-be list instead of a to-do list. I’m prolific at creating master to-do lists. They give me a sense of control, a sense of accomplishment and keep my cluttered mind from letting crucial jobs slip through the cracks of my faulty memory. (Correction: these things give me illusion of control, accomplishment and clearer brain function.) Despite my love of meddlesome to-do lists, I think they are overrated. Our culture is so…

  The Arkansas State Police is a happening place to be, especially in the motor vehicle office and even more so from one to four when they are administering driving tests. I recently took a family member to fill out some paperwork, which provided me plenty of time to sit in the waiting room and watch people coming and going. Anxious teens milled around, some of whom were too cool to show their jitters. Nervous mothers smacking gum contrasted against parents who rolled their eyes, muttering to the person on the other end of their cell phone that young Anthony…

Receiving a long awaited publishing contract is a euphoric feeling. It's also terrifying for someone like me, a recovering people-pleaser. I love absolutely everything about the creative process. From spinning a story world into existence, breathing characters to life or muddling through their spiritual and emotional transformations, I find the entire journey exhilarating. I even love the grueling grind of editing. (Most days, at least.) With my debut release scheduled for summer of 2018, life is a whirlwind of excitement. Edits and marketing plans, launch teams and beta readers, book covers and website designs. So much to take in. So…