So many different things.
I figured that if I'm going to have a blog, I should probably introduce myself. I mean, why would anyone want to follow someone without knowing who they were? And so, to that end, here it is, my blog, and an introduction as to what makes J.P. Jackson (that's me) the person I am.
I guess first things first, I am a husband. Now, many of us are, that's no big deal, but I list it first because the other person in my life gets an equal amount of credit. After all, I wouldn't be the person I am today without him. ❤ to Lonny. He is everything to me.
Oh yeah, I guess that would be item number two. I am gay. No biggie. It just is. It's not everything I am, but it certainly flavors everything I do.
I am also a writer. Wow. That's kind of weird to say. A writer. What does that mean (and it sounds sort of pretentious - don't you think)? Here's the thing. I know many people who like to sit down and be creative, and some of those folks are writers. Truly, every day they sit down and bang out inspiring words, amusing anecdotes and stories told with finesse and style. I find myself lacking in that department, after all, for me, just being creative is the important part - and it really wouldn't matter how that happened.
Sometimes I write. I don't do it every day. I do it when the mood strikes me. I do it because I find it fun. I don't do it because there's a burning need inside of me to put words on a screen. And that's why I sometimes feel that calling myself a writer is a mislabel. But, on July 10, 2017, my first book, Daimonion: Book One of the Apocalypse is being released by NineStar Press (https://ninestarpress.com/product/daimonion/). So, if nothing else, I guess I'll have to call myself an author.
Sometimes I knit. I'm a color whore. (Warning, NSFW language in these posts is a definite possibility.) I love how stitches and colors come together to create a wonderful array of patterns and textures - and if you can wear them, EVEN BETTER! So yeah, sometimes I knit. Not crochet though. I don't get that. I've tried to. Abysmal results.
Sometimes I color in my adult coloring book - no not an NSFW kind of coloring book, you know, the ones where the pictures are way too intricate for any child to do, and yet my nine-year-old niece did a better job than I did? Yeah, that kind of coloring book.
And sometimes I garden or play with my African Violets. I have a room full of them, and I hybridize them. I know, weird right?
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| This is Imp's Fairy Berry One of my African Violet hybrids. |
But all of these avenues are in the end, a path to create - and I suppose, it's that self-expression that is important to me.
So let's go back to the writing thing because, in all honesty, that's what I'm doing here, and that's why you're sitting there, reading this. This blog will be about the writing, and from time to time, it might stumble across the other bits of my life.
Without getting too much deeper into it, part of that need for self-expression turned into an item on my bucket list. Item number 22 - write a book and get it published. I did that. And it was an interesting prospect, a journey of learning, and also one of self-exploration and also of learning to let go. A 'where do I choose battles and where do I give in to the experience and wisdom of others'?
I think I'll save all that information for the next installment on this blog, but for now, let's just say Item number 22 has been checked off, and that, my friends, is why I am here now.
Blog it. Have your blog ready. Make sure you're blogging. All statements made from those in the publishing industry in preparation for the release of the first book. Have a social media presence. Sigh...but I just want to write. Okay, fine. A blog it is.
And so, a blog it shall be.
And voila!
So, who am I? I am a middle aged gay guy, who is a bit of bear (look it up), and who has a wild an insatiable creative streak, married to the best damn man ever. I thrive on public approval (please like me), and who, on occasion, writes things.
Sound fun? Sound interesting? Stick around. I'm sure I'll do or say something bizarre. I usually do. Oh, and I tend to like the dark and creepy things. Demons, witches, shape-shifters, you know, all the fun beasties. Have a peek around, take a look. Just be warned; if you open the closet, or look under the bed, you might find something there you'd wished you hadn't seen.
