The inspiration for writing a story can come from a variety of sources. For Oak Grove author Lora Johnson, her inspiration came right before Christmas four years ago from her then 4-year-old son, Isaiah.

“Isaiah suddenly began to think that he should be able to tell Mommy what to do rather than the other way around,” said the mother of five, who will read in Mankato Friday.

One day, Johnson reached her boiling point. Isaiah was acting up, so she removed his stocking from the mantle and informed her son that Santa did not fill the stockings of naughty little boys.

Almost immediately, Johnson began asking herself what she’d done. As Isaiah cried in his bedroom, Johnson retreated to her own room where she sat on the edge of her bed and asked God for guidance. Not wanting to go through with a punishment that she terms purely “reactionary,” Johnson searched for a way to discipline her son that wouldn’t take all the joy out of Christmas morning for him as well as for the rest of the family.

“God answered me by saying, ‘Lora, Christmas is all about getting the gift we never deserved and never will.’”

Empowered by that thought, Johnson had the inspirational seed for a Christmas story about a strong-willed little boy and what happened to him the year his mother took his stocking away. The result was a children’s book, “The Night I Met Santa,” that was published last year and has since sold more than 2,000 copies and was featured in the Star Tribune. Illustrated by Johnson’s longtime friend, Christine Ann Edwards, the finished product is a cheerful, colorful Christmas story that combines Santa Claus with the birth of Jesus.

From the start of her project, Johnson received enthusiastic support from her husband, Neil, who is also the publisher of “The Night I Met Santa.”

“The best part of this project for me has been allowing Lora’s light to shine. She has an amazing heart and can communicate the message of grace well,” he said.

As she worked on the book, Johnson slept with a notepad and pen on her night stand. If she woke up during the night with an idea, she jotted it down.

“My husband says I wrote the book in my sleep.”

As the book took shape, it was different from what Johnson had originally envisioned but better than she had hoped. Johnson has enjoyed every aspect of working on her book and is especially pleased that she was able to work with her husband on a project that is important to both of them.

“Neil has been great,” she said. “There have been times when the stress level has gotten high, but we have been able to do this as a family and that feels really good to us.”

Johnson said that one of the best things about having her book published has been seeing and hearing how the story has touched people’s hearts.

“I always take Kleenex with me when I go to book signings because more often than not someone will cry while reading the story,” she said.

The book has also been used by several churches in outreach ministries.

Johnson’s other children have let her know that they’d like to get into the act. While at a recent book event, Isaiah was asked for his autograph. His siblings offered to sign their names as well and couldn’t quite understand why no one wanted their autographs. It was then that they asked their mom to write a book about them.

That book might be in Johnson’s future, but for now she is focusing on her next effort, a story about a young girl who is struggling with the aftermath of losing her mom. Her new book will be released next year.

As the Christmas season approaches, Johnson is in a holiday mood as she enjoys her life and the inspiration she receives from her family.

“I love to write, and I love being a wife and mom,” she said.



If You Go
What: “The Night I Met Santa” book signing with author Lora Johnson

When: Friday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at The Lighthouse, 860 Madison Ave., and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, River Hills Mall, 1850 Adams St.

More information: Visit thenightimetsanta.com.