Writers with Dienece - Caroline Johnston
- Dienece Darling
- Aug 19
- 7 min read
Welcome, Readers!
We are back for another author interview from one of the Our House authors from Jakaranda Laan. This time it's House #4!
Caroline Johnston writes contemporary Christian fiction and lives 15 miles south-west of Glasgow with her husband and three children. Although, she finds it weird to refer to them as her children when the youngest is now 18. (I hear her there! My children are starting to grow up, and it does feel weird.)
Welcome to Writers with Dienece, Caroline. It's wonderful to have you with us. I've enjoyed getting to know you over the past year as we shot messages back and forth brainstorming our books in the Our House series. You've taught me a lot about all things Scottish.
Why don't you start off by telling us something about yourself and a bit more about where you live?
Caroline: I love being outside. (It’s probably got something to do with growing up on a farm!) We live on the outskirts of our town, right next to a hilly country park, so it’s the perfect location for lunchtime walks—with lots of opportunities to see Highland cows, deer, squirrels and a variety of birds, as well as lots of gorgeous dogs.
Dienece: Oh wow, that sounds beautiful! I've never been much of a walker (I'm no Eliza Bennet), but I do love having something beautiful to look at when I finally guilt-trip myself into getting up out of my chair and doing something. [Dienece grins]
Do you have a picture of a Highland cow to share with us?
Dienece: That's a gorgeous photo! You're very talented.
Caroline: Awww thanks - I’m just an iPhone point and shoot kind of person. My husband was surprised I don't have a folder just for the Highland cow pics - I probably should do that.
Dienece: Well, you do have social media pages where you share them. I think that probably counts. (I'll say more about these later, Dear Readers).
But I have to ask, Caroline. Was the farm you grew up on a working farm? I grew up on a farm, but it really just had horses and lots of space.
Caroline: Oooo fun. Did you ride? I grew up on a beef farm. My dad worked at a dairy farm until I was about 7, and I loved that as we got loads of free milk every day. I always loved being outside and helping my dad, although I was probably slowing him down.
Dienece: How special you got to spend that time with your dad, and you just brought back a flood of wonderful memories to me. My dad used to talk about having a cow when he was a kid and tell us so many stories about the abundance of milk. And to answer your question, yes, we rode the horses. I was not very good mind you, but we rode them all over the place.
Caroline: Sooooo jealous! We had a pony when I was a toddler but it had to be put down before I got the chance to ride it. I’ve been on quite a few pony treks while on holiday - my best riding story is that I fainted on horse back in Canada and didn’t fall off!
Dienece: Now, that's impressive, and you're already better than me. It seems like I fell off my horse more times than I stayed on it, and I was wide awake. Just not a very good riding.
As much as I'd love to talk about more about horses and Highland cows, we had better not forget to talk about your new book, The Fullback's Try!
Dienece: Readers, I've started reading an early copy of this contemporary fiction novella, and I'm loving it! Caroline, can you tell us the inspiration behind this story?
Caroline: Back in 2023, Anna Jensen asked me if I wanted to be part of a multi-author, multi-genre series called Our House. I was nervous at the idea of working with ‘proper authors’ (imposter syndrome is real!) but being friends with Anna removed some of the scariness of stepping into the venture.
Our House on Sycamore Street launched in 2024. My novel, The Mother’s Song, was book 13 in the series. The Mother’s Song features the McVitty family, specifically the mum, Miranda, and the oldest daughter, Naomi. When Our House got a second series, Our House on Heather Wynd, the middle daughter, Rebecca, was able to tell her story. And now we’re on to the third series, Our House on Jakaranda Laan, it’s time for Joshua, the youngest sibling, to have his say. I love Joshua; he’s an energetic character who lives life to the full.
Dienece: Imposter Syndrome is definitely real. Thank you for sharing your experience with those of us who also have doubts. It can be a real encouragement to hear that people we count as 'proper' authors (because that's how I counted you when I join the Our House series!) have the same doubts and fears as us.
But going back to your book, I've already met Joshua in the other two books before The Fullback's Try (although The Fullback's Try does work as a standalone if you're wondering, Dear Readers), I would definitely agree with your summation of his character. Joshua lives life to the fullest, and he is a lot of fun. And he is just the same in this book.
Speaking of which, your book is full of energy, life, and joy--even with the serious moments. You obviously had fun writing it. Was there any particular reason?
Caroline: The Fullback’s Try has been a fun write for a few reasons—the two main characters are male. And they both love rugby. We’re a house of rugby fans, so it was only a matter of time before rugby featured in one of my books. And if you know anything about rugby, you know rugby and South Africa go hand-in-hand. Other neighbours have rugby stories to share, too.
Dienece: I can't say I knew that about South Africa before this series, but I certainly do now! And your answer actually brings up my next question.
As an author that lives in Scotland, how did you go about writing a book set in South Africa?
Caroline: This is the first time I’ve written a book in a setting I’ve never been to. Thankfully, I know several lovely South African authors, all of whom have books based in South Africa and were happy to share anecdotes about life there.
Ashley Winter has a wonderful series, Love in South Africa, which provides a fabulous insight into life in South Africa. And the second book in her series, Deborah’s Choice, features a rugby player. If you’ve not read any of Ashley’s books yet, I recommend them.
Dienece: Thanks for the recs! I haven't read her books yet, but I'm looking forward to them.
Speaking of reading and rugby, my favourite scene so far in The Fullback's Try is where you described their trip to the high school. You built such energy and excitement into the school chants. Was there any particular inspiration for that scene? Did you ask some South Africans about it, read about it in a book, or have you seen it in person?
Caroline: Anna is also a rugby fan, so we have many chats about rugby. She was the one who told me about the schools having war cries and how they treat their rugby players like superstars. She sent me a video of her son’s school’s war cry. I also looked them up online, and then my Instagram feed became full of South African school war cry videos.
[Dienece laughs] Yes, the good old algorithms at work again. Look up one thing and suddenly that's all you see! Well, the immersion must have worked because I loved that scene.
As we wind down our interview, do you have a Bible verse or passage to share with us?
Caroline: Each of my books features a Bible verse or passage. For The Fullback’s Try, The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) was the perfect parable for Joshua and Lourie to focus on. Of course, I learnt a lot about the passage, too, as I spent months considering how it affected my characters and what it meant to them. Without giving away any spoilers, it becomes a freeing parable for Joshua and Lourie, encouraging them (and us) to consider the talents God has given us and the freedom to step out and use them.
Dienece: I'm so glad you mentioned that. I've been pondering the Parable of the Talents lately, and when I started to read The Fullback's Try, I got so excited when I saw it in your book! It was just what I needed to hear. Thank you for your insights and encouragements on this.
Just before we say goodbye today, where can Readers best connect with you?
Caroline: Why not sign up for my newsletter? You’ll get two free short stories, including one that features my characters from last year’s Our House series, The Tea Maker’s Blend.
I’m also active on Facebook and Instagram—you’ll get updates on my writing and pictures of Highland Cows and life in Scotland.
Dienece: Yes, we mustn't forget the Highland cows! (See, I told you, Dear Reader, that I'd tell you where you can find those photos.) Thanks for joining us today, Caroline. I've loved chatting with you.
While we've come to the end of our interview, feel free to ask Caroline questions in the comments. Whether about Highland cows, pointers on how to take such stunning photos, or even share your own horseback riding stunts with us.
Here are the links again if you need them:
Caroline's Newsletter: https://carolinejohnston.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=948764f72ec2b806883269266&id=c77d2f89fa
Caroline on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinejohnstonauthor
Caroline on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinej_author/
And with that, can you top fainting on the back of a horse and not falling off? Tell us in the comments!
Next week, I'll be back with the author of House #5 and #6! Yes, a double header from the wonderful Vida Li Sik.
But for now, don't forget to check out The Fullback's Try, and thanks for joining us.
Photo credit for the highland cow: Caroline Johnston, used with permission
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