1. What inspired you to start writing/creating art, and how has that inspiration evolved over time?

I've always wanted to leave a part of me behind for when I am one day no longer on this Earth, particularly something in the arts and creative space. I was always fascinated by renowned authors of famous novels and how their fans viewed their work decades and centuries after their death. This is where I drew my inspiration for creative writing. Over time, I struggled with manifesting a storyline that was captivating enough to write about; this was until I had a dream that would later turn into the plot for Forest Hill Falls - my debut first novel.

2. Can you share the story behind your latest work? What was your creative process like?

I initially began writing the recaps of an extremely vivid dream I once had. The actual writing sat there for years (perhaps a decade) before the story evolved. One day, I decided that I needed to continue writing and I forced myself to write at least one paragraph per day. This eventually transitioned to one chapter per weekend. I had no idea what I was writing about, and just played out scenarios in my head that I thought were interesting. Before long, I was hooked and I was a huge fan of my own work! I would think about my work daily and think about new plot twists and different events that would add to the novel. Writing a little bit per day, I eventually got to the end and began focusing on editing what I had just written.

3. What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your work, and why are they important to you?

The themes and messages I aim to convey center around survival and sustainability. I believe that they are central to the human experience and if we don't start focusing on resolving the issues we have in our world, there won't be much of a world left to enjoy. When writing Forest Hill Falls, I tried to write it in a way that slowly brings the readers around to these themes - as the majority of people don't go about their day thinking about these issues. My hope is that after reading the novel, they walk away considering the impact of doing nothing.

4. What advice would you give to aspiring authors/artists who are just starting their journey?

My advice to aspiring authors is to do everything by your own means (from writing, editing, formating, promoting, distributing, etc.). The reason for this is because there are a lot of publishers out there that only want your money. Then if there is an issue, it's possible to get little to no response and the resolution is beyond your control. Rather than rely on someone else to fix my problem, I would rather go about fixing it myself. You can absolutely self-publish your own work, obtain a copyright yourself, and distribute yourself to retailers by doing a lot of research and reading through contracts and terms of service agreements. I believe this is valuable advice because you retain your ownership, can solve your own issues, and learn to navigate the industry yourself without sacrificing lots of money in order to do it.

5. What role has self-publishing or independent production played in your career, and what have you learned from the process?

Self-publishing and independent production has played a major role in my career, being that it is at the center of what I represent. The media industry as a whole (whether books, movies, music, art, etc.) has a way of swallowing you up and spitting you out if you aren't what it wants you to be, and it doesn't have to be that way. Countless times I have read about how talented individuals are being "shelved" by the industry and can no longer do what they love. I simply do not believe in that! I believe if you have the desire to be creative, you should be able to do so and the best way to ensure you have that ability is to self-publish, or otherwise remain "independent".

6. How do you connect with your audience, and what has been your favorite moment of reader or viewer feedback?

The way I connect with my audience is mainly through social media. I like to self promote by posting links to my followers and even offer a book giveaway to encourage engagement. My favorite moment of feedback was when someone told me how much they enjoyed a chapter called "Grootie Vision", which focuses on a character named Groot - who is a black labrador retriever. It was one of my most favorite chapters to write and it's written from a dog's perspective, so it's pretty silly.

7. How do you handle challenges like writer's block or creative burnout, and what motivates you to keep going?

For me, I just look for other ways to get reinspired. I either read another book, or watch a new tv show. I tend to think about why I don't have any ideas worth writing about. I think giving yourself space and time can really go a long way in making you feel rejuvenated again to get the creative juices flowing. It doesn't happen much for me, but when it does, I just take a break.

8. What’s next for you? Can you share any upcoming projects or future creative goals you’re excited about?

The overall feedback that I have received on Forest Hill Falls has been fairly positive for me so far. I think in a perfect world, I would love to turn this novel into a tv show or a major motion picture. My next creative goal would be to turn this novel into a script and figure out a way to get the wheels to turn on this idea. Aside from that, I would very much be interested in exploring making a sequel to the novel. I believe there is a lot more that I could tell and delve deeper into as it pertains to the storyline.

9. Who are some of your biggest creative influences, and how have they shaped your work or style?

My biggest creative influences are Stephen King and Suzanne Collins. I love the style of their work and the way they tell their stories; it's done in such a captivating manner and I hope to resemble that style in my writing. Stephen King has a way of making any scenario feel creepy and heart-throbbing, while Suzanne Collins has a way of creating a universe that is so imaginative and vivid that it hooks the reader onto her work. I tried to incorporate a little of both into my writing of Forest Hill Falls.

10. How has your personal life or experiences influenced your writing/art, and are there any particular moments that stand out?

My personal life influences everything that I do creatively because it is where I draw experience from. From themes, to characters, to dialog, I draw from experience that I have had to some degree in the past. In terms of my characters, I like to base them from real life people I have interacted with in my past. I believe the best works out there draw from personal experiences!

Jon Writer | Author

Nona Lea | Author