Meet Deborah Johnson | Cookbook Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deborah Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deborah, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I didn’t feel like I had a choice. There’s a great quote by Parker Palmer that perfectly describes how I felt about pursuing the dream of writing: “Vocation at its deepest level is, “This is something I can’t not do, for reasons I’m unable to explain to anyone else and don’t fully understand myself but that are nonetheless compelling.”

The dream of writing this cookbook was relentlessly tugging on my heart, and it felt risky and impractical in every way. But I had the rare and brief opportunity to respond to this dream, to give voice to what was flowing inside me, wanting to come out. I knew the only thing standing in my way was fear. It was important to me to be able to look myself in the eye and know I didn’t let fear call the shots in my life. So I took the leap.

Leaving my comfortable corporate job to do the work that matters to me was terrifying. It took a lot of honest soul-searching to overcome my fear of failure and what other people would think. But ultimately, answering that calling on my heart has been a profoundly liberating and healing journey, in ways I didn’t even know I needed. No step in the process has felt easy, but I’m so grateful for every bit of it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a cookbook author, but what sets my work apart is that it’s about much more than food. My book, “On Rising: Recipes and Rituals for Joyful Mornings” has a ton of original (delicious!) recipes I spent years developing, but I think what’s most compelling about the book isn’t the food. I think for most readers, the book has served as an invitation to a more intentional way of life. I can tell people realize it’s not a conventional cookbook by the way they read it- I’ve heard countless times that they like to read it before bed, or as pleasure reading with a cozy cup of coffee. The fact that it can be read cover to cover and as a peaceful, joyful respite amidst busy days makes me very happy.

What makes me most proud of my work are the notes I’ve gotten from readers about how the book has impacted them. Recently a reader told me, “Because I’ve begun taking time in the mornings to reflect, I’ve begun to dream again!“ It’s been very special to see readers incorporate the prompts for reflection and ideas for making the most of their mornings into their own daily lives and routines. Likewise, I’ve received many pictures from moms making recipes from the book with their kiddos, or people hosting fun meals for friends. Each time, it makes my heart soar. Seeing those memories made and the love shared embodies what the cookbook is about; it’s about making the most of your life! I wove in many heartfelt essays to include the reader on my journey, because those personal tidbits are my favorite part of cookbooks. It was intimidating to be so vulnerable, but when readers have responded that my little stories brought them to tears and gave them hope, that means the world to me.

If there is one takeaway from my experience of becoming a cookbook author it is this: you can pave your own path. Not only was the content of my book unconventional for a cookbook, but so was my go to market strategy. The challenges every step of the way have been daunting. But so far, it’s been paying off. So my encouragement is: if you have a dream that won’t die, you don’t have to wait for a conventional path to open. You can bet on yourself- as long as you are willing to pour your heart into seeing every step through to the best of your ability. This journey has demanded more of me than I ever imagined, but I consider it a great gift.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Two of my favorite activities are walking and eating, so if I had friends visiting DFW, there would be lots of that on the itinerary. We’d walk around to Bishop Arts, stop at Poets Bookshop and other fun local shops, and grab some pie at Emporium Pie. I love going for a long walk by Turtle Creek, past Lakeside Park, and stopping for an aperitif at Sadelle’s. It’s never a bad idea to walk or bike around White Rock and grab some Detroit-style pizza and ice cream at Thunderbird Pies.

In between all the eating, we’d go shopping at some of my favorite locally owned places: Mended, The Shop in LH, and Davis Street Mercantile. We’d watch something at a drive-in movie theater because it’s so cool that’s still a thing in DFW. Lastly, I have been wanting to visit the new Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras exhibit at the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, so that would be high on my list.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
For every far-fetched dream, having someone who believes in you and supports your vision is invaluable. Ashleigh Amoroso, the photographer for my book, “On Rising: Recipes and Rituals for Joyful Mornings”, was that gift in my journey. Ashleigh is an incredibly talented professional with a jaw-dropping portfolio. Her work sparkles with this inimitable light and character, which I believe is a reflection of her own beautiful heart. When I was evaluating which photographer to partner with for the project, I was seeking excellence; but I was nonetheless nervous to reach out to Ashleigh because her work is so stunning. But when I sent her the details of my project, she responded with so much passion, enthusiasm, and professionalism. She was just as excited as I was about bringing this book into the world. She maintained that energy and commitment to the project throughout. Photographing a cookbook is an enormous endeavor, and entails a large team, strict timelines, and a ton of work under pressure. It also requires a lot of delicacy, because the magic only happens when wildly different creatives feel comfortable being fully themselves while collaborating closely to bring a cohesive vision to life. She led the team with so much heart and infused the process with fun in a way that shines through in the finished product. But it isn’t just her contribution to the content of the book that I’m grateful for. Ashleigh poured her own special magic and vision into the project, and it sparkles on every page. She and her team made the project and the process a million times more beautiful than it ever could have been without them. Having someone who goes above and beyond to become much more than a hired professional, but a trusted partner in the project, and even a friend, is a rare and unforgettable experience for a creative. So I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to Ashleigh- working with her and learning from her was an honor and a joy.

Website: https://www.deborahesjohnson.com

Instagram: @deborahesjohnson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborahesjohnsonbooks

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgHXyshzEKdTroNShdTwDKw

Image Credits
Ashleigh Amoroso