Shakuita Johnson

Tell a little about yourself. (short bio)
Shakuita Johnson is a 31-year-old Psychology major. When she isn't going to school or working, she is doing what she loves most. Writing. She started writing in middle school. She would write poetry in her room or the middle of the night. Then she was introduced to short stories in a creative writing course her senior year. Her love for paranormal and supernatural started with R.L. Stine Goosebumps books and TV shows, Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles, and Christopher Pike books. She is an avid reader with over 100 books on her bookshelf and 1000 plus on her iPad. She also loved to watch Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer with her mom.

What can you tell us about your books?
They are dark, sometimes expectantly funny, and I like to push the envelope. They are my own little fantasy worlds that I enjoy getting lost in. They are very different from anything out now. Especially my Dark Indiscretions series as they are told from the POVs of the villains. There are no heroes although they have moments of good.

What genre do you write and why?
Paranormal mostly because I enjoy getting lost in a world where the rules aren't black and white. I love all things supernatural and dark.

If a fiction writer, is any part of your book based on events in your life?
For the most part And So She Waited had a lot of myself in it. Feelings I've felt regardless of acting on them and just a lot of the emotional tone was from my life.

What was the greatest challenge you faced with publishing your work?
Not totally knowing what the fuck I was doing. I still don't know what I'm doing but I'm still pushing through. It's also a challenge because things are ever changing from one release to the next.

What are you currently working on?
Snap Shot a dark romance that is F/F with fellow author LM Adams. We both mostly write paranormal so this is a bit outside our comfort zones but I'm not too worried. It still going to be dark and twisted the only difference is it's regular people and not supernaturals. Also work on a few short erotica pieces for fun.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk?
Not that I've noticed. Mostly I write either in silence or with The Hobbit on in the background. But I can't write to music at all.

Do you have a favorite author or book?
Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice...every time I read it I find something I missed. The story of the twins and how vampires came to be is my most favorite thing to read.

Describe yourself in three words.
Smart, funny, emotional