We were lucky to catch up with Trey Everett recently and have shared our conversation below.

Trey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I still remember the first royalties check I received my from first published novel. It was not as much as you would think it would have been, but it was mine. My words had earned it. I have wanted to write a book for years, never even trying. Then finally I sat down in December of 2018 and started writing. My resolution for that year was to write a book, and there I was, with 30 calendar days left, starting Chapter One. I did write that book, and I was proud of that. After a couple of years of figuring out what to do next, I finally got the chance to have to publish through an independent publishing house in my home state of Texas. They put it out, some people bought it. I remember that first royalty check like it was yesterday.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Trey and I’m a playwright, author and musician. I have always been drawn to telling stories. When I was little, I would create extensive plots with various action figures, with dramatic though lines, tragedy and betrayal. It was kind of ridiculous, looking back. I flirted with acting for a long time, when I realized that I would far rather be the one creating the story to tell, vs. being the one to actually tell it. I have a list of completed works (plays, books, screenplays, etc) available through my website (treyeverett.com).

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My primary goal with my writing is to just continue the journey to understanding myself. Being human is messy, and really fucking tricky. By creating stories and tales with aspects of myself in my characters, I’m really just trying to learn about me. Continuing the adventure of discovering who I am; why have I done the things I’ve done? Why have I made the mistakes I’ve made? Am I deserving of the people I have in my life? etc.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I think the main thing I wish I knew earlier in my creative journey, is that every other creative and gate keeper is just as confused as I am. There’s this perception that there are people at the top that have all the answers and secret information, and if I keep grinding and working hard, one day I’ll get access to it. And all of that is just not true. Everyone is trying. Everyone is lost. Everyone is confused. Everyone is making it up as we go along. So use your art to be true to yourself. Tell the stories you want to tell, stories that can impact readers and audiences. That is where the real art and magic is made.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.treyeverett.com
• Instagram: @treyeverett

Image Credits
Rad Pine Creative, Katie McGhie