We recently connected with James Metts and have shared our conversation below.

James, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The name for my brand, Planet Storyland, came from a question I had. The question was, what would a kid from another planet think about how we live? One evening I decided to answer that question. I got out a pen and paper and set them on my nightstand. Then I laid back on my bed with my eyes closed to see how the answer would play out in my mind. Almost immediately a scene appeared and after watching and listening for about fifteen minutes I opened my eyes, sat up, picked up the pen and paper and began to write down what I remembered. I continued this process every evening for a little more than three weeks. Those scenes on paper added up to twenty-eight pages. In my answer there was a point made about stories and beliefs. In the process of explaining what I thought about those stories and beliefs it dawned on me that we live on a planet bombarded by stories. Billions of stories are told every day. The result of writing the answer to my question was my eventually publishing a book that I titled, Planet Storyland.

James, 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?

I have had a desire to write as far back as seven years old, but it took decades before I was able to write something I am passionate about. My being passionate is how I excel in doing things I enjoy. I am passionate about life in general. The earth’s landscape, the animals, plants and playing causes excitement. Life is just amazing, but it has its challenges too such as making a living and learning what it takes to make a living. It’s a challenge that turns into frustration at times. I have read a lot of books about making money to make a living. I was never motivated by their suggestions. I worked a lot of jobs to pay my way which was good and necessary. I just didn’t buy into being a career employee. I kept expecting something to open up just for me. It could be said that I was patient because it wasn’t until I reached the age of fifty-five when I decided it was time to make a decision! Either I was capable of coming up with my own way of making a living or that I should resign to being a career employee.

I decided to write. I decided to write down my answer to a question I had thought about for a number of years from the standpoint of someone on the outside looking in. This was easy in one way because I’ve always felt that I was an outsider. Otherwise, it became a challenge for seven years. I had excelled at so many things that I felt confident I could write my answer in the form of a story. It was to be a fictional story inspired by truth. When I was finished writing my answer I published it. When I published my writing, I began to figure out how I was going to make a living. I began to understand what it takes to make a living.

Writing taught me how to communicate succinctly. Life is all about communication with others and to ourself. What I wanted and how to go about getting it became clear as a result of writing. The process of writing this fictional story inspired by truth required that I read it to myself to hear if it made sense. This process also required that I be honest. I developed patience in developing the story. The story had to be right, not rushed. There had to be a reason and reasoning. Writing can be your best teacher if you’re honest. Writing is amazing and magical too. Without writing our benefits would not exist. Planet Storyland introduces the reader to the powers of writing in simple English through a father and son conversation.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes. The goal is my book, Planet Storyland, becoming a national and international bestseller. My mission is to utilize as many outlets and platforms as I can to share some amazing news with students all around the world. I want students to be inspired by the person they see in the mirror. I want them to explore, challenge themselves and play. I want them to see the Earth as their laboratory and their playground. I want them to see that the essence of life is magical. And, that they can perform what will seem like magic, but in reality, it is an understanding of writing. The combination of their imagination and writing.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Knowing that I created something real. Knowing that I have a purpose. Becoming more and more familiar with my purpose. Feeling like I’m “falling in love.” Thankful. Confident. Happy. Sincere optimism about my future. Congratulatory feedback.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://planetstorylandd.com
• Instagram: jamessmetts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.metts.5?mibextid+ZbWKwl
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-metts-40973725b
• Twitter: @MettsSherwood

Image Credits

Michael Vallone and James Metts