We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zen J. Jackson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zen J., thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Success is in how much you believe in yourself.
Zen J., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit about myself and my journey. I am a Jamaican American author, deeply passionate about shining light into the darkest corners of life, where so much potential for growth and healing resides. My work focuses on cultivating gratitude for all beings—whether they are creatures big, small, or fantastical—while celebrating the often-hidden hero that exists within each of us.
I’ve always believed that the greatest stories are the ones that honor the inner child in all of us, that spark curiosity and wonder. That’s why my main characters tend to be youthful, navigating the journey of growing up with all of its trials and triumphs. I weave health and wellness into my work, encouraging a balance between mind, body, and spirit. I also feel a deep connection to the divine creator, the force that resides both around and within us, and I aim to bring that sense of connectedness into the stories I tell.
As for how I came into this craft, it was a natural evolution. Writing has always been my way of understanding the world—of exploring the unknown, confronting fears, and celebrating resilience. The beauty of storytelling is that it allows us to access truths that may otherwise remain hidden, and I’ve made it my mission to bring those truths to the surface.
What sets my work apart is this blend of spirituality, wellness, and fantasy, all in the service of uplifting the reader. I want my stories to inspire others to recognize their own strength and capability. My brand isn’t just about writing books; it’s about fostering a deeper connection with oneself and the world around us.
What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has had on readers, especially those who’ve shared with me that my stories have helped them through difficult times. That, to me, is the highest honor any writer can receive.
If there’s one thing I’d like people to know about my work, it’s that it’s here to help us all grow—emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Whether you’re seeking comfort, inspiration, or a sense of adventure, I believe my stories have something to offer. In a world that can often feel overwhelming, I hope to remind my readers that there is always light, and it often comes from within.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Resilience for me has been born from navigating some of life’s darkest moments. One of the most profound experiences of betrayal I faced came when I was molested as a young boy. For many years, I carried this weight in silence, not sharing the trauma until adulthood. While I wasn’t diagnosed with PTSD or ADD/ADHD, I certainly struggled with the effects of such trauma—emotional distress, self-doubt, procrastination, anger management, and even alcohol abuse.
For a long time, the emotions I bottled up manifested in ways I couldn’t control. I felt lost in my own anger, sometimes battling myself as much as the world around me. It took me years to realize that healing doesn’t mean erasing the past, but learning how to live fully despite it.
Over time, though, I began to heal. I found solace in meditation, which allowed me to reconnect with myself on a deeper level, and through maintaining a healthy diet, I gained the physical strength to match the emotional resilience I was trying to build. Creativity, particularly writing, became a powerful tool for processing what I had gone through.
My wife has been an incredible source of support throughout this journey. She often reminds me of the strength I’ve shown by overcoming these challenges without therapy or formal help. Today, I am incredibly fortunate to be alive, well, and able to provide for my family while doing what I love—helping others and sharing my stories. It’s been a long road, but every step has reinforced my belief in the power of resilience and the possibility of healing, even in the darkest times.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Before I fully embraced writing, I had a mural business, painting restaurants and other establishments. My work was thriving, and it allowed me to creatively transform spaces while connecting with business owners and the community. However, when COVID-19 hit, everything came to a sudden halt. Restaurants closed their doors, and dining in became a thing of the past. With businesses shutting down, my mural work was put on indefinite hold.
It was a challenging time for many reasons—financially and emotionally. I had to pivot quickly and find a new way forward. That’s when I turned to writing. It was something I had always been passionate about but hadn’t yet fully explored. The stillness of the pandemic gave me the space to pour myself into stories, to reflect, and to create in a different medium. Writing became not only a new career path but also a way for me to process the uncertainty and change happening around me. This shift allowed me to continue expressing myself creatively, and it opened up new opportunities that I hadn’t previously imagined. Looking back, it was a tough transition, but it ultimately led me to a place where I could grow, adapt, and continue doing what I love in a new and meaningful way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ZenJJackson.com
- Instagram: @zenjjackson
- Twitter: @zenjjackson
