MANSFIELD, Ohio – Mansfield author Brandi Johnson recently released her fifth book entitled, “Powder Blue,” and is working to develop her popular third book, “Trickin’,” into an independent film. The urban genre author said she always paints the women in her books as survivors.
Her first book, “Spoiled Rotten” was written in 2006 and published in 2008. Her break into the urban literary world was the result of a bad relationship that she used as stepping stone to get her mind and eventually her heart and body out of the relationship.
“In order for me to escape, I would go to work and come home and he would be there,” she said. “So I would get on my computer and just write. Writing took me to another place and I could be anywhere I wanted to be. I didn’t want to be there, so that’s why I started writing.”
In “Trickin’,” three young girls use less than desirable ways to get money. The girls learn some valuable lessons, most importantly that certain people are not to be tricked.
“I always write about women overcoming. All my books end with someone overcoming something, always,” she said, “because it’s like [society wants to] put women in bubbles, especially black women – like we’re never going to make it, be on welfare and never amount to anything. So I make sure all the women in my books overcome.”
“Trickin’” is on its way to film, with the screenplay written and casting calls completed in Mansfield, Columbus and Cleveland. The film will be produced by Johnson’s own production company, You Underestimate Me (Y.U.M.) Productions.
Even though all actors have not be cast, Johnson said the cast meets on a weekly basis for rehearsal. The original goal was to start shooting the movie in March, but that will probably be pushed back in an effort to raise money. She also hopes to shoot the movie in Mansfield and is looking for local investors. Partnering with local makeup artists, beauticians and stylists would also be nice, she said.
In addition to writing, Johnson is a full-time mother to three boys, Montias, 15, Breiyonte, 12, and Alex, 8. She is also seeking a Health Information Technology Associates Degree.
“[The kids] are always bragging about me to their friends,” she said. “They are proud of me in their own way.”
Johnson said her “biggest fan” and number one supporter is her mother, Maggie Johnson. “I get so embarrassed sometimes because she will be talking to someone about something else and then she’ll bring me up.”
Johnson’s other published books include, “In My Girls I Trust” and “What Ya Girl Won’t Do.” She is currently in the process of writing her sixth book called “Business As Usual.”
Johnson offered simple piece of advice for aspiring authors: “A lot of people think you have to know what you’re doing in order to write a book, but you don’t. You sit down and you just write. Whatever comes to mind you just write it and then you can figure all the rest out later on.”
For more information visit brandiajohnson.net.
Twitter: @angelnichole222
