‘Wisdom’ showcases motivation, perseverance

It’s easy to find inspiration in Brianna Johnson. Though she’s been through her share of ups and downs, this newly published Austin author carries an aura of positive energy, which she puts in everything she writes.

“I’m not motivated for any type of money,” the 19-year-old said. “I just want people to know that there’s hope in this world.”

It took years for Johnson to realize her gift. She first discovered her love of writing when she was 10 years old, as her fourth-grade teacher assigned her class to write a story every day on whatever they wanted. She liked it so much she kept writing stories for herself after the school year.

“I just kept writing and finally discovered that wow, I really love writing,” she said.

Yet Johnson treated writing as more of a hobby until she was 16. That was the start of a few medical problems which began with an extended hospital stay for pancreatitis. While she was holed up healing, Johnson got motivated to write her first novel. Though her health has fluctuated — her bout with pancreatitis caused her to become diabetic, among other issues — she never gave up on writing, or on making people feel better about themselves.

“Even now, writing has become an escape for me,” she said.

Johnson recently became a published author, as Publish America released her short novel “Wisdom” in March. The story, about three homeless New York youths who find comfort in each other through writing and music, is meant to showcase the power of motivation and perseverance.

Johnson gained inspiration from her own life, as several of her friends have been homeless at one point or another.

“I really wanted to show that you aren’t nothing,” she said. “Everyone is something, everyone is capable of making their life better if they just try.”

Johnson hopes to take that message further.

Though she works part time helping others through Quality Case Management, Inc., she hopes to eventually become a motivational speaker and author. She’s currently writing her first self-help book based on her experiences and may soon give a motivational speech in town, once she’s ready.

“I’ve been trying to get into volunteering a lot more, helping out people, and really trying to get to know people more so I can understand them,” she said. “I’m working on another book just focusing on those little pieces and what I can do to help people.”