WITH
By Hayli Zuccola Holly Frazier Photography
Writing—in its most basic form—is a skill that, for the most part, can be taught, whether it’s how to shape sentences, condense free-flowing thoughts or polish grammatical errors. Storytelling, on the other hand, is a gift, a natural talent and one that Johnny Bullard was inherently blessed with. “I’ve always had an interest in writing, even in elementary school I had an interest in writing,” Johnny Bullard said. A native of White Springs, Johnny grew up with poetry and music-appreciating parents that encouraged him and his brother to follow their artistic and educational pursuits, whatever they may be. “I hit the lotto as far as family is concerned. I really did,” he said.
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Finding a mentor in his middle school language arts teacher, Dorothy Bryant, Johnny quickly gained the confidence to express himself through the written word. Later equipped with four graduate degrees from Valdosta State University— including a Bachelor of Arts in English—he began a 35-year career writing for his hometown newspaper, drawing inspiration from his life around the banks of the Suwannee River. “Life is life and it has its ups and downs, but I’ve been very blessed to be in an area that’s rich in the stories that it has, rich in history, rich as far as natural resources are concerned, rich in humor—very rich in humor— and rich in the fact that, you know, I think north-central Florida is like a patchwork quilt; we have our own richness that’s unique and wonderful
and different from any place else in the world and especially in Florida,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed people and the stories they’ve shared with me wherever I’ve gone and especially family stories that have been shared within my own family and the stories of the area.” While strengthening his abilities as a columnist, Johnny furthered his long-held passion for education by working as a teacher, principal and—most recently—serving on the Hamilton County School Board. Nevertheless, during this time, friends, family and fans of his growingly-popular column encouraged Johnny to use his knack for storytelling to write a book—a suggestion that lingered in the back of his mind until the right moment finally presented itself.
