We recently connected with Dino Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dino, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
My debut novel, ‘Born From A Wish’, was published in October 2020. I released the fifth anniversary edition of it last month. How did I come up with the idea of ‘Born From A Wish’? Initially, the story was going to be quite dark. I was going to base the story upon this event from April/May 2004, towards the end of my freshman year in high school. Around the corner from where I lived at the time, a man killed his wife and two kids, then killed himself. It wasn’t until several weeks later that this fact was discovered. I happened to read about this incident in the paper, and it blew my mind. I remember thinking, “I know where that place is! It’s right around the corner from home!” That place became “The Murder House” in my mind, and it was a tale that never left my mind. I ended up going in a MUCH different direction with ‘Born From A Wish’, thankfully. I did, however, revisit that idea within the opening short story, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” featured in my short story anthology, “Ghosts of Our Past.”
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m an author, and I want to continue writing stories that move people. I suppose my ultimate goal is to become a traditionally published author, where my work will have a wider reach compared to what I have currently as a self-published author. I certainly want to reach a wide audience, and I know my stories are more than capable of doing so.
I decided to pursue a career as a writer because I wanted to create stories that move people. Whether through laughter or tears, I’ve wanted to create characters and stories that people can connect with. I have wanted to get into writing stories since I was a child. Back then I had the desire to create my own animated series. These days I created my own universe that’s far from what I wanted as a kid.
I suppose the thing I’ve released which I’m proudest of is my newest novel, ‘Some Things Last…’. I worked on that novel for two and a half years, and it’s a story that touches upon some very personal feelings of mine…almost painfully personal at times. I’m currently working on the sequel to my debut novel, ‘Born From A Wish’. If you’ve enjoyed both of my novels, I guarantee you’ll enjoy what I have planned.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
My writing has filled me with a sense of accomplishment I’ve not garnered from any other aspect of my life. No other work I’ve done has made me as happy as my writing. If others enjoy my work, then that makes it even better.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I suppose some people would have given up a while back when sales didn’t come in as they had hoped. I don’t write for the money, however. That’s not to say I wouldn’t mind making enough to pay the bills and such, so I could focus on my REAL work! I don’t let sales dictate my creative output. If I did, I’d have given up a few years ago and never released my second novel. I’m extremely proud of ‘Some Things Last…’, which I released in December 2022 after two and a half years of work. It was a lot more work on the second book compared to the first, and I had to turn down a lot of social occasions to work on it, but in the end, I finished it. Now, work continues on a NEW novel. Slowly but surely, I’ll get there with it, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20981755.Dino_Jones
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinojones1988
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DinoJones88
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DinoJones88
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HTM1LYP
Image Credits
Image 1: Born From A Wish Fifth Anniversary Cover – GhatGPT AI Creation
Image 2: Born From A Wish – Jaylen Morris
Image 3: Some Things Last… – Leah Albert
Image 4: Ghosts of Our Past – Leah Albert
Image 5: Albert talking with Elly – ChatGPT AI Creation
Image 6: Albert contemplating – ChatGPT AI Creation
Image 7: Albert & Elly in Paris – L.A.C.
Image 8: Vivacia ‘The Duchess’ – Dino Jones