The story of how I became a writer isn’t what you usually hear. I never wrote fiction as a kid. I never wrote at all. I wish I had; by now I would be a much better writer. But I didn’t. That’s not my story. My story is that I didn’t decide to be a writer. It hunted me down, and I ran from it.
When I was somewhere between 4 and 7 my mom told me I should become a novelist. I was always staring blankly at something or another, and when asked why I would say I was telling myself a story or playing a game. Most people thought it a little odd, but my mom saw something in it even I didn’t.
I said no to becoming a novelist. I didn’t want to write, it sounded like a rather dull job. And yet it felt like something was pricking at me.
Years passed, and I turned 12. One day I came up with a story, just like every day, but this one stayed with me longer than a few hours, days, or weeks. I had the passing thought I should write it. Once again, I said no, I didn’t want to.
I continued telling that story to myself every now and then, when other tales bored me, and three years passed. Another story smacked me upside the face, and I couldn’t forget this one either. It made me consider writing it. Again I said no.
I decided I needed to seriously think about where I was going in life. I had no idea what I wanted to do, and that bothered me. I wasn’t interested enough in any one thing to stick with it, and I wasn’t especially good at anything.
I thought about it for several months, and I realized I had to stop asking what I wanted to do; I had to ask what I was doing. That’s when I realized. My entire life I’d constantly been creating worlds and stories. I knew I wanted to continue with it, I never wanted to lose those thoughts. And that meant taking it seriously.
A week later I went out and spent some of my college savings on my first laptop. A week after that I sat down and started writing fiction for the first time in my life. And boy what a ride it has been.
Now, my first novel is about to be published by Marcher Lord Press. But for that to happen, I had to stop wondering what I wanted to be and see what I already was. I finally gave up and listened to my mom, and to what I believe God was trying to show me all along.
I am a storyteller.
Just B. Jordan is an award-winning author of fantasy and sci-fi. She graduated high school a year early and received her first publishing contract at the age of 18. To Ashes We Run is her most recent novel. Find it here.
Nadine Brandes
I love this! I love how God chased you down with storytelling. There are many readers out there who are going to be very very thankful you finally realized He wanted you to be a storyteller. :) Can’t wait to read your book.