I want to welcome Madison Johns, author of Armed and Outrageous. Let’s get to know her.
Patricia: Madison, where did you grow up? Did your childhood contribute to your desire to be a writer?
Madison: I grew up in Birch Run, Michigan, which is in Mid-Michigan. It’s a small town or used to be with no McDonald’s or Mall, but today it has all of that and more. Living in the country was an inspiration, but I spent most of my days daydreaming. At this point writing wasn’t something I was doing or thinking about.
Patricia: Where do you live now? Do you use that locale for settings in your novels?
Madison: I live in Saginaw, MI, and so far it hasn’t been featured in any of my novels. Armed and Outrageous takes place near Tawas, MI, where I went on vacation every year.
Patricia: What inspired you to write your most recent novel?
Madison: I worked in a nursing home for three years and that was really the inspiration, that and my love for Janet Evanovich’s Grandma Mazur character. Since Janet won’t give Grandma Mazur her own books, I thought why not try my hand at it and created quite a cast of characters.
Patricia: Did you plan to write a series before or after you wrote the first book?
Madison: I knew while I was writing Armed that it would be a great series. The ideas wouldn’t quit flowing and I had to jot them all down for future reference.
Patricia: Name three of your favorite authors in the mystery genre.
Madison: Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner, and Janet Evanovich. I love Janet’s simplistic style.
Patricia: What are your favorite things to do when you’re not reading or writing?
Madison: Does hanging out on Facebook count? I like watching ghost hunting shows on Sci-Fi with my family, but I really have no time to spare between family and work to make room for hobbies.
Patricia: Do you like to travel? If so, what are some of your favorite places to go?
Madison: I wished I had more opportunities to do more, but I do love my home state of Michigan. I love the Tawas area and hope I won’t be stoned out of town when I visit there. I love Lake Huron in all it’s magnificent glory. I hope to travel to the Upper Peninsula on day.
Patricia: How would you describe yourself personality wise?
Madison: I’m an extrovert, I know right? I’m not sure how I came to this point because when I was a child I was shy as a church mouse. Words are never left unsaid. I can literally talk to anyone — my whole family is that way too. In some parts of the country that might seem weird. I’m a walking talking comedian or so I have been accused. I love to laugh and make others do the same. I can literally make a joke out of every situation, although it’s not always a blessing to certain members of my family.
Patricia: If you had a time machine where would you go?
Madison: Like back to my childhood and kick myself in the rear. I wished I had paid more attention to grammar in school. I’m not sure if I’ll ever fully understand it.
Patricia: How would you finish this sentence? If I won a million dollars, I would ...
Madison: be dreaming. I’m a little on the realistic side.
You can learn more about Madison and her books at the following sites:
