Chenille Johnson
As a military/veteran spouse of over 20 years, Chenille has taken on the role of volunteering in many organizations inside and outside of the military community. Through Chenille’s personal and diverse professional experience, she has recognized how important it was to have a community to support you and be able to support them through their high and low moments while living a military lifestyle. It has been through volunteering in the community that she realized that volunteering is a selfless service. It is something that is above that person, understanding that there may never be any accolades but knowing that the reward is within. Chenille Johnson is a New Jersey native, wife, mother, sister, daughter, advocate, first-time author, avid traveler, music lover, lifelong learner, educator, and much more. Chenille is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education in Community Care and Counseling with an emphasis on Traumatology. Today, Chenille and her family reside in Maryland.
Marina Raydun: You're a military wife with 20-year tenure! What have your experiences of having to relocate often teach you and how did they inform your decision to pursue writing?
Chenille Johnson: Moving around can be quite overwhelming. You do not necessarily have a support system to help you in your new location. However, it was on one of our moves, I believe we were there for a year and the idea came to me on the spur of the moment to write a book about moving but base it on the dog. This was 10 years ago.
MR: Bark! I'm Moving is a wonderful tool to teach kids about having to move and their associated emotions. Can you tell us a little bit more about how it came about?
CJ: At the time of this idea, we had already moved 6 times. My children were enrolled in a few schools. At this particular location we were assigned to, it was considered to be a remote location. We had to adjust quite a bit. We were also living in an area where there were not too many people who looked like us. Writing this book helped me put what I thought my children were feeling into words.
MR: What’s your favorite childhood book?
CJ: When I was younger I loved to read because it gave me the opportunity to escape. I did love to read The Babysitter's Club.
MR: If you had to do something differently as a child or a teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
CJ: I think as a child or teenager I would have put my thoughts down on paper.
MR: Is there one topic you would never write about as an author? Why?
CJ: At this time I do not have a topic that I would say is off-limits. I say this because I always tell people to tell your story as you never know who you may help, whether it is fiction or nonfiction.
MR: You're currently pursuing a doctorate degree. How does your field of study tie into your writing?
CJ: In all honesty, I believe that many children, and families can be affected by moving as frequently as military families have to do. If we were to do a deep dive, we can list how Community Care and Counseling, with an emphasis on Traumatology, can tie into Bark! I'm Moving. Also, at the time of writing this story, I was not enrolled in this program.
MR: Is there a book that people might be surprised to learn you love?
CJ: It is now a banned book, but I really love The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas.
MR: Are there any books you’ve read over and over again?
CJ: I would really need to think hard on this but I can say, The Coldest Winter Ever and No Disrespect by Sister Souljah.
MR: What's next for our favorite little military dog? Is there more travel in his future?
CJ: Pepsi has traveled to quite a few places, especially while we lived overseas. Right now he is enjoying his home in MD or when he goes and visits family in NJ.
For more information, please visit the following:
Instagram @barkimmoving
Website: www.barkimmoving.com