Exploring Faith Through Fiction
Caroline Johnston discusses her journey into Christian fiction, the inspiration behind her novels, the impact of setting on storytelling, and the importance of faith, community, and connection in her writing career.
Caroline Johnston’s literary journey is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and storytelling. As an award-winning author, she has captivated readers with her ability to weave profound themes of hope, love, and redemption into compelling narratives. From the deeply evocative Shades of Autumn, which courageously explores domestic abuse, to The Mother’s Song, a moving portrayal of family struggles and faith, her novels resonate with authenticity and emotional depth.
With five contemporary Christian novels and two young adult books to her name, Caroline has built a reputation for crafting stories that not only entertain but also inspire. Her What If? series speaks directly to young readers, guiding them through the complexities of faith and friendship, while her Braid Hope series, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, offers solace and encouragement to those facing life’s hardest trials.
Beyond her individual works, Caroline’s collaboration in the Our House on Sycamore Street series showcases her ability to seamlessly blend her unique voice with a collective storytelling vision. Her dedication to her craft, her readers, and her faith makes her a standout figure in contemporary Christian fiction.
In this exclusive interview, Caroline shares insights into her writing journey, the inspiration behind her stories, and her experiences as a self-published author. She offers wisdom to aspiring writers and gives us a glimpse into the heart behind her powerful storytelling. It is a privilege to present this conversation with a writer whose words have touched so many lives.
Caroline Johnston’s storytelling is heartfelt and profound, weaving faith, hope, and resilience into narratives that uplift and inspire readers worldwide.
What inspired you to start writing contemporary Christian fiction, and how did your journey as an author begin?
My reason for writing contemporary Christian fiction simply comes down to writing the genre of books I want to read.
In 2009, several factors converged that started me on my writing journey: a change of career, being around creatives, and being encouraged to pursue my dreams. Creative writing had been a passion throughout school, but it wasn’t until 2009 that I considered it as a potential career. Suddenly, I was dreaming up book titles and story ideas. My first step was to enrol in several online courses. And then I wrote my first book, What If? A young adult novel about a group of friends at high school.
Whilst the journey began sixteen years ago, it wasn’t until six years ago that it became a full-time vocation.
Your books are set in diverse locations like the Scottish Highlands and the Suffolk coast. How do these settings influence your storytelling?
My Braid Hope series takes place in the Scottish Highlands. The first book, Shades of Autumn, deals with domestic abuse and the second book, Summer Shadows (coming out summer 2025) deals with teenage mental health. With stories tackling sensitive and difficult subjects, I needed a location that offered beauty, space, hope, and healing. And where better than the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands! (Which just happens to be one of my favourite parts of Scotland.)
The Mother’s Song, part of the Our House on Sycamore Street series, takes place on the Suffolk coast. In this instance, the location was picked by the series creator, Anna Jensen. The setting is the link between the fourteen books, whether historical or modern. It was vital to have consistent references and descriptions of Sycamore Street and the surrounding area. (The second series of Our House will take place in the Scottish Highlands!)
Readers love these settings, referencing the descriptions of the settings in their reviews or when they communicate with me directly. Isn’t it lovely to travel by book?
In Shades of Autumn, Lorna Campbell struggles with her past while seeking refuge. What message did you hope to convey through her journey?
I aim to weave love, joy, peace, and hope through my books—even when they are dealing with difficult topics.
Shades of Autumn tackles domestic abuse, an issue I wanted to help raise awareness of. Having walked through it with a friend, I saw how complicated abuse is and how traumatic it is for those living in it. I wanted to convey the emotional toll and struggles people in abusive relationships face, to show that it is a difficult journey; that it requires time and patience from supportive friends. And even though life is dark, complicated, and uncertain, there is hope—in places, in friendships, in faith.
The Mother’s Song explores family dynamics and personal struggles. How do you approach weaving faith and everyday challenges into your characters’ lives?
People enjoy reading books they can identify with. Readers will often tell me which of my characters they relate to most. And Miranda, the mum in The Mother’s Song, is one of those characters.
I love being with people and listening to their stories, whether my friends or people I meet at events. I get story ideas from readers’ suggestions, or from seeing the common themes many of us are dealing with. For me, it’s important to incorporate these everyday challenges into my novels, encouraging people they’re not alone. Having faith doesn’t mean we’re exempt from challenges or doubts, but it gives us hope. And I love to share that hope through my stories.
The What If? series tackles teenage faith and friendships. What drew you to writing for a younger audience, and what do you hope young readers take away from these stories?
I have been involved in leading church youth groups since I was eighteen, so it seemed logical that my first novel should be for young teenagers. The two books in the series follow a group of pupils. What If? is written from the perspective of one of the girls and Why Not? focuses on one of the boys. Teenagers ask great questions. There are so many things they are trying to figure out, including friendships, and I wanted to reflect that in the titles and the stories of my young adult novels. Hopefully, they encourage teenagers to ask their questions and explore faith.
As part of the Our House on Sycamore Street series, how did you collaborate with other authors to create a shared world while maintaining your unique voice?
I was thrilled when my friend, Anna Jensen, asked me to be part of this multi-author multi-genre series. Being part of an international collective was a great learning experience. It was a little nerve-wracking to work with so many authors, but thankfully, I already knew many of them. Anna did a great job organising us with video chats, spreadsheets, maps, information about Suffolk, and keeping us connected. We coordinated our storylines, incorporating each other’s characters, where appropriate, and we even had a cat from one house make an appearance in all the contemporary novels. But with each book, it was down to the author to create the characters, the story and write in their own style. Readers love the way these stories flow together.
What advice would you give to aspiring Christian fiction writers looking to publish their first novel?
Self-publishing is an exciting venture. There’s always lots to learn and while you can accomplish many of the tasks yourself, you’ll need help with various aspects, such as cover design, editing or formatting. It can also be lonely. So, it’s important to connect with other authors.
One of the most important things for me was finding my tribe! Six years ago, an author friend suggested I join an avid readers Facebook group. Through that group, I connected to other groups. Finding these connections was a game changer for me. They introduced me to wonderful Christian authors from Australia, South Africa, and North America. I’ve made lasting friendships with people who understand every thought, feeling and emotion an author can have. I am also part of the Scottish Fellowship of Christian Writers and began a local Christian writers’ group five years ago. Community matters, get connected.
