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Local author to appear in Richardson for book signing
By Heather M. Smith, Staff writer
A few years ago, Perla Sarabia Johnson was traveling with her family from San Antonio to Dallas when she witnessed something surprising and shocking.
During the trip, Johnson noticed a significant amount of large SUVs on the road. Most had only one person in them and were traveling the same five-hour trip she was.
“I kept tracking the cars throughout the trip,” Johnson said. “What surprised me was that the SUVs were not hauling anything and most only had one person in it. The environmental impact of our lifestyles already affects us. If there is ozone-alert day, kids aren’t allowed to play outside during school.”
The novel follows Dustin Jones, who must keep humans safe from threats lurking in Dallas and around the world. He travels from Miami to Cuba to Poland and finally back to Dallas, all the while struggling to save mankind. Johnson depicts a futuristic Dallas that is independent, but sees aspects of socialism in the community.
“I did quite a bit of research for the book. I interviewed science experts in various fields so I could take the subject matter to the next field in science fiction,” Johnson said. “While writing the book and talking to experts, it surprised me that a lot of what I wrote is plausible and could indeed happen.”
While conducting the research for her book, Johnson interviewed several high-profile professionals in Washington, D.C. One expert she interviewed was Samuel T. Ariaratnam, Ph.D., professor of Construction Management at Arizona State University. She said wanted to illustrate architecture that was more environmentally friendly and Ariaratnam helped her achieve that goal. Stephen R. King, associate professor in the department of horticultural sciences of the vegetable and fruit improvement center at Texas A & M University, was also useful in painting an accurate picture for her novel.
“Those individuals that I interviewed were so helpful while doing my research,” Johnson said. “I was able to use my journalism skills to find the people I should interview and to come up with questions to ask. I wanted the book to be accurate, even though it is science fiction.”
Johnson said her book is also looks at alternate ways to fix problems with the economy such as changing the currency system. “Global WarNing” has a lot of political undertones, according to Johnson. She said she looked at the public school funding system that she thinks is “very dear to Plano” and how too much government interference is hurting kids.
“I would increase the tobacco tax, bring back luxury tax and have more tax on non-energy-efficient vehicles. I think those are all alternatives to Robin Hood,” Johnson said. “I used a lot of personal background to show the dramatic changes that happen in the future, whether it’s environment or political changes.”
Johnson said people need to take notice of how their lifestyles impact the planet and should make immediate changes.
“In Texas, we’re very spoiled because we don’t like the government mandating things, such as recycling,” Johnson said. “We enjoy our freedoms and I appreciate that, but something needs to change.”
Johnson said that while she lived in Vermont and Wisconsin the entire community recycled. She also said in the northeast region of the U.S., people are “more conscious of using public transportation and driving more fuel-efficient cars.” Johnson said several officials in Washington, D.C. are looking into alternative energy sources, but she thinks the urgency behind that movement has fizzled out.
In her life, Johnson said she was brought up to not waste anything. She has carried that into her adult life by recycling and keeping clothes until they are unwearable. She said she even has a pair of Levi’s jeans from high school. In addition, the family owns a Toyota Prius, but they don’t have a huge home.
“I’ve always been a person that if we don’t need the air on, we open the windows,” Johnson said. “I don’t go to a health club. Instead I ride my bike and go to the park. My family and I also only use fresh fruits and vegetables.”
Johnson thanked her parents, Dr. Fermin Sarabia and Perla Sarabia, for teaching her to be mindful of her lasting imprint on the environment. The Sarabias fled Fidel Castro’s communist Cuba in the 1960s. Shortly after, Johnson was born in Miami Beach in 1962. Even though Johnson is fluent in Spanish and is proud of her Cuban heritage, she has never been to Cuba. While writing the portion of her novel that takes place in Cuba, Johnson said she relied on her parents to paint an accurate picture of what life is like there.
Even though the idea for her first novel came to her only a few years ago, Johnson’s love for writing began when she was a child. Johnson attended St. Mary’s Hall, a college preparatory school for girls in sixth through 12th grade. It was then that her interest in literature and composition began, because the school excelled in its liberal arts studies.
Johnson eventually studied broadcast journalism at the University of Texas at Austin where she graduated a semester early in December of 1983. A chance to study abroad came in the summer of 1982. Johnson traveled to Oxford University in Oxford, England. Some of her classes were 20th Century British Politics and 20th Century British Literature.
Johnson’s first job after college was as a travel/leisure writer for the former San Antonio Light newspaper. Not too long after she began work at the newspaper, she began working for San Antonio’s Public Broadcasting Station, KLRN-TV, as a production assistant. After years of working with the media, Johnson made a career change in 2002 when she began substitute teaching in order to spend more time with her family.
Johnson lives in Plano with her husband, Paul Anthony Johnson, Jr. and their two children, Paul Anthony Johnson, III and Justin Johnson, who is attending Murphy Middle School. Johnson dedicated her book to Justin, who she described as someone who loves writing as well.
“Global WarNing” was the No. 1 bestseller for local paperback fiction as listed in The Dallas Morning News on Nov. 2, 2008. Johnson said recently a Hollywood script writer bought her book and this summer Johnson will most likely write the script to turn her novel into a movie. Also during the summer, Johnson said she hopes to start her own marketing firm.
“My novel is really multi-genre. It’s a murder mystery, action and global story all in one. The novel is full of warnings that if we don’t change our lifestyles there are very dangerous situations that will affect us,” Johnson said. “I tried to depict both sides of the issue, while trying to express what could happen if things don’t change.”
Johnson will be at the Richardson Public Library basement program room for a book signing on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The library is located on 900 Civic Center Drive at the corner of Civic Drive and Arapaho.
“Global WarNing” is available at www.amazon.com.
Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com
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