Meet John Lawrence

We recently connected with John Lawrence and have shared our conversation below.

John, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My Wife is a great example for me and has shown me what resilience is all about. She keeps telling me “It’s a Marathon not a sprint.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My name is John Lawrence, and I’m the author of “An American Hero”, my debut novel released a few months ago. By profession, I’m a low-voltage engineer, but I’ve recently discovered a deep passion for writing and storytelling. Growing up, I faced challenges with dyslexia, which made reading difficult and something I often avoided. Despite my father being an avid reader, I found myself distanced from books until recently.

Thanks to advancements in technology, I’ve been able to tap into my creativity in ways I never thought possible. Tools like EditOutLoud and other text-to-speech applications allow me to listen to what I’ve written, making the editing process not only accessible but also incredibly effective. Hearing my words read back to me helps me catch mistakes, improve pacing, and develop my stories more fully.

Professionally, I’m now focused on writing. The more I write, the more I realize how much I love it, and how much I’ve grown as a writer. I approach writing a novel like eating an elephant—one bite at a time. By breaking it down into manageable parts, I’m able to bring my ideas to life.

Right now, I’m excited about the creative possibilities that lie ahead. When I finished “An American Hero”, I had planned to continue with two more books in that saga. However, a new sci-fi idea started to take shape in my mind and wouldn’t let go. Even though I wanted to finish my original project, I couldn’t ignore this new story. Writing it has opened new doors for me, showing me that I’m not confined to one genre. If a story comes to me, I’ll write it, regardless of its genre. I don’t plan everything out; I enjoy the journey of discovering what comes out of my thoughts.

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

Qualities and skills are an interesting topic to reflect on. Three things that have been most impactful on my journey are resilience, openness to feedback, and the ability to forge my own path.

First, you need to be willing to fail and not let it deter you. Failure is an inevitable part of any creative process, and learning from it rather than fearing it is crucial. Second, you must be able to take criticism without taking it personally. Feedback is invaluable, and it’s important to use it constructively rather than seeing it as an attack.

Lastly, it was essential for me to find resources that worked for me and to be okay with not following the traditional path that most writers take. For example, I’ve always found it challenging to connect with other writers because I’m not a reader in the conventional sense. While many writers are passionate about reading, I’ve struggled with dyslexia, which makes reading a different experience for me. When people ask what books mine are comparable to, I often can’t answer. Initially, I thought my book was more historical fiction, but feedback from beta readers, family, and friends indicated it’s more of a coming-of-age family story—and that’s okay.

The key is to be adaptable and willing to change your mindset. Listen to feedback, apply what you learn, and don’t be afraid to take an unconventional approach. For those early in their journey, my advice is to embrace your unique path, be open to growth, and never be afraid to pivot when necessary.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My wife has been my biggest advocate and the most instrumental person in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills and qualities needed for success. Her unwavering support and encouragement have been invaluable throughout my journey.

In addition to her support, I’ve gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from YouTube. The wealth of educational content available is incredible, especially in the realm of publishing. Anytime I had a question or needed to learn something new, I could find multiple videos on the topic, each offering different perspectives and insights. The accessibility and variety of information on YouTube have made it an indispensable resource for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.johnlawrenceauthor.com
• Instagram: @author_john_lawrence
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.lawrence.756/
• Twitter: @EsnJohn