Meet J.L. Hyde

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to J.L. Hyde. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi J.L. , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

I was dealt some significant blows early in life with the death of my parents, along with several other close family members. Despite feeling like my world was turned upside down, I survived. Not only did I survive, but it taught me to appreciate every moment I have with loved ones and look forward to each new day with a renewed optimism. I no longer sweat the small stuff, and finding the positive in any situation has become my super power, regardless of how much it annoys my friends.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the author of eight murder mystery novels, most of them set in my home state of Michigan. The film rights were optioned to my second novel, Delta County, and the project is currently being shopped as a ten-part miniseries. Although my books do contain some strong language and mysterious deaths, there are little to no trigger warnings and minimal gore/disturbing scenes. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and write full time.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

First, perseverance. As I mentioned before, I’ve experienced a lot of loss and I’ve also met a fair amount of people who let loss destroy their spirit. I’ve learned not to let a bad season of life spiral into a bad life in general.

Second, humility. I think it’s important to not have an ego in this business and staying humble has served me well. I have reasonable goals for my career and remain eternally grateful for each reader who is sent my way and enjoys my writing.

Finally, I was blessed with a vivid imagination. Each morning I take a walk around the neighborhood and simply daydream. This is where my best ideas are formed and where every crazy plot twist I’ve ever put down on paper has originated.

My advice to new authors can easily be summed up with these three qualities/skills: stay humble, don’t give up, and never stop daydreaming.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Without a doubt, it’s been learning to set boundaries and say no. I am by nature a people pleaser, but as my reach grows as an author, it’s become impossible to say yes to every invitation or request. I’ve learned to say no thank you to the projects, appearances, and events that give me anxiety or make me feel uncomfortable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jlhyde.com
• Instagram: @bookandbeerreview
• Facebook: Author JL Hyde
• Other: TikTok: @authorJLHyde

Image Credits

Northern Clove Photography