Joining us today is Jackie M. Johnson, author of When Love Ends and the Ice Cream Carton is Empty. We’ll talk to Jackie about this book, why she wrote it, and what her plans are for the future.
CM: Welcome Jackie. It’s wonderful to have you with us today. Can you start off by telling readers a bit about yourself?
JMJ: Thanks. It’s good to be here. I enjoy the power of words—to help, to heal, to inform, and to inspire. I love to see lives changed for the better. My first book, Power Prayers for Women was released in 2007, and has helped nearly 200,000 readers. When Love Ends and the Ice Cream Carton is Empty came out a few weeks ago. I’ve also written articles, poetry, and hundreds of devotionals. Before I wrote books I was a marketing copy writer for a large corporation (and still do freelance copy writing). I grew up in a suburb of Milwaukee, and I love the outdoors and nature. Currently, I live in Colorado and enjoy the beauty of the big open sky and magnificent mountains every day.
CM: What was it that first made you want to put pen to paper?
JMJ: Great question. For me, it was passion. I had to write. I felt like a volcano was about to erupt inside of me if I didn’t. I want to write because I want to share what I’ve learned in creative and interesting ways. I want readers to be inspired and have positive, life-changing experiences. To know that growth and transformation have occurred because of a book I’ve written, that’s golden.
CM: Your latest release is from Moody Publishers, When Love Ends and the Ice Cream Carton is Empty. What is this book about?
JMJ: When Love Ends is the book I wanted to read after my last breakup but could not find. It’s a helpful resource for anyone going through a relationship breakup, whether you were in love or in like. It’s packed with hope, encouragement, and practical help to get through the pain and begin again.
The book has four stages, a heart healing journey to help you go from your relationship ending to your new beginning: Twilight is about dealing with endings. Night is about healing emotion pain. Dawn is the awakening of hope. And Day is about learning to live in the light, and move forward into the rest of your life.
If you process your love losses—instead of avoiding or stuffing your pain—you can begin to move forward, find joy, and be better prepared to find the lasting love you truly desire.
CM: Your book is very different from a lot of relationship books. Why did you decide to guide readers in such a way?
JMJ: There seem to be a lot of books that tell single adults how to find love, but what about when a dating relationship falls apart? When love ends, then what? I want to help people deal with their breakup pain so they can heal their heart and change their life.
Also, I thought it was important to offer practical help and a faith-based perspective. I wanted to cover some of the deeper issues that people need help with, but don’t know where to turn to find answers, like finding the comfort and support you need, dealing with rejection, grieving losses, learning to let go, rebuilding confidence and self esteem, and making healthier choices next time.
CM: The title of this book is certainly one that makes me want to flip to the back cover and check out the blurb. Did you come up with that title?
JMJ: Yes, I came up with the title When Love Ends. The part about the ice cream came later.
Often people look to food for comfort when they’re hurting, and ice cream is a popular choice, especially for women. Whatever you look for to assuage the pain—food, alcohol, or jumping into a relationship with Mr. Right Now—are only temporary fixes, not a lasting solution. When love ends, healing can begin—if you let it; if you choose to process the pain.
