Most people start their writing journey from their passion for creating. It could be from creating exciting stories from the top of their head or jotting some story ideas down for the future. Perhaps this spark for their earliest ideas can be found during childhood or later points of life, when they begin to create. Some may start right away, from a blank file or notebook each filled to the brim with ideas; others delve into fanfictions, to create alternate universes from the original work. Some even revisit works they’ve made from their past, and refine them as creations to be shared and retold to others. In the realm of writing, the journey from a blank page to a completed novel is a path filled with creativity, challenges, and a whole lot of adventures.
J.B “Jake” Ryder's writing journey is no exception; particularly with his novel Zach Croft: The Forgotten Colony, it has been a path of self-discovery and growth. Starting from a simple idea at the age of 12, the novel took several years to complete and stands as an independent work. The story follows Zach Croft and his friends on a life-or-death quest, which ultimately challenges Zach’s identity and beliefs. Jake's experiences have resulted in an enthralling novel and paved the way for sequels as well as other short stories for the public spotlight.
Section 1: Early Writing Journey
For Jake, the start of his writing journey stemmed from creating storylines of him being inside the worlds of his favorite media. This brought his love for creating “large, branching stories”, although he initially did not write them down. The earliest work he started writing for was The Forgotten Colony, later rewritten and published as his debut novel, out of more works yet to be published — all under the mindset of having to “go big or go home.” Amidst composing the third draft of The Forgotten Colony, Jake read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins six times. Collins’ writing style, most especially her sentence structure and figurative language, captivated Jake. This had a profound impact on his own writing.
While writing can be a passion, there are hurdles in journeys that a writer will face. Perseverance and resilience are important, but so are maintaining healthy practices. Indeed, the writing process is demanding and often brings self-doubt and Imposter Syndrome, and staying motivated during challenging times can be tough. For Jake, the realization that giving up would render all his invested time and effort in vain is a driving force to face his hurdles and never give up. The significant amount of time he has dedicated to his book serves as a powerful motivator; he understands that quitting would mean wasting all the hardwork and dedication he has put into his projects. “With how much time I spent on the book, I didn’t want it to all go to waste in the event that I gave up. If I stop now, all the time I've spent will be for nothing.”
Section 2: Finding Inspiration and Maintaining Motivation
Overcoming challenging times is vital; however, so is a writer’s ability to tap into their creativity, as a shortage of it can lead to writer’s block. Jake understands this, and, like other writers, he requires inspiration to transform his ideas into captivating plots. He has developed practices to spark his creativity and generate new ideas, such as taking walks while listening to music that matches with the theme of his book. Jake gets inspiration from the environment around him, taking real-life examples into account for his stories.
“I go on walks a lot, listening to music that reminds me of the book,” Jake says. “I'm able to essentially watch it as a movie in my head and iron out exactly what sort of imagery should be in what scenes.”
Initially, Jake’s writing process for The Forgotten Colony was disorganized. He followed a progression of the first draft, outline, second draft, third draft, copy editing, slight rewrites, and finally, proofreading. “Although I enjoy figuring out a story as I go along, not outlining first was a big mistake that resulted in a lot of hardship down the line,” Jake says. Learning from this, Jake has decided to outline his second book before beginning to write. Outlining serves as a roadmap, it helps authors like him to organize their thoughts, identify plot errors, and smoothens the writing experience.
Section 3: Writing Process and Techniques
During the drafting process, Jake focuses on refining his writing style by utilizing techniques, such as figurative language, to create unusual connections in the story. For example, in The Forgotten Colony, he compares a falling dropship to a demonic jellyfish. “Trying to make connections between two completely unrelated things,” Jake says, “is a good way to develop a better command of the language.” This technique provides readers with unique, vivid descriptions that immerse his audience.
Reflecting on his early writing days, Jake acknowledges that his current writing surpasses his earlier efforts. He acknowledges how his writing "is just better than it used to be," while recognizing his progress throughout composing The Forgotten Colony. Jake credits this improvement to his ability to structure stories and understanding principles like cause and effect. At the end, he is able to create a more engaging reading experience.
Section 4: Personal Growth and Future Aspirations
Among many authors who have branched out from their works, Jake has considered composing short stories; that is, after publishing The Forgotten Colony's sequel. When asked about his other ventures, however, he merely states that “[everyone would] have to see.”
Sharing stories is incredibly important to writers as it gives them the opportunity to influence, inspire, and connect with readers on a deep and emotional level. Jake shares this passion and seeks to reach a wider audience with his work. Although currently available online, Jake has plans to make his book, The Forgotten Colony, accessible in bookstores in the future, allowing more readers to discover and engage with his story. Furthermore, Jake is testing new waters with his upcoming work, The Girl Of Your Dreams, a short story to be released on July 17th.
Conclusion
Jake Ryder’s writing journey is proof of his passion, growth, and resilience. Despite facing challenges, Jake’s dedication and commitment have allowed him to overcome obstacles and create captivating plots. Drawing inspiration from the surrounding world and employing unique ideas, he has improved his skills as a storyteller. This helps readers have a fulfilling and enjoyable experience while reading his works. With his debut novel published and future works planned, Jake Ryder serves as an inspiration to young writers, showing that dreams can become reality through perseverance and a love for storytelling.
He ate that up fr, so proud