Jessica Stone shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Jessica, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
This is such an interesting question because something I have rarely admitted to anyone is how most of my life, my choices were reactive rather than proactive.
Things happened, and I let that steer me. Unfortunately, I would gravitate to what was the easiest path, or I would let others make my choices for me. I didn’t know who I was, and I was terrified to go for the one thing I really did want. This often turned me into someone who played the victim. I didn’t fight for agency. More importantly, I didn’t let my faith in God guide me. So, I was in effect, wandering but also letting the waves—and there were many waves—push me around.
I would say this was true for myself even as recently as ten years ago. But even though it took way longer than it should have, I had to start owning my choices (because even wandering is a choice) and that led to being more intentional. Being able to choose a particular path—in this case, focusing on writing novels and getting published—led me to setting a schedule, finishing my first novel in 2020, landing an agent in 2021, and not only releasing novels but finishing a movie script for an incredible director.
There’s something to be said for wandering. You may stumble across opportunities you may have never considered. Wandering brought me my greatest gift in my daughter. But I am grateful I learned the value in finding a path and sticking to it. Being determined is really the only way to survive this writer life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a writer of faith-based fiction, which for me is contemporary women’s Christian fiction and thought-provoking romantic comedies with a strong faith element. I am in the process of turning my first movie script, which will be directed by the incredibly talented Brittany Goodwin, into an accompanying manuscript, as well as working on several other projects. These include the rest of my A Thornbush and Juniper Story series, which began with my debut novel, Beauty in the Bittersweet (released May 2025), as well as finishing another romance with a lighter comedic element.
The biggest thing in front of me right now is going into talks with a few different publishers about my favorite manuscript to date, which features a couple who must learn to trust what they cannot see (and that’s all I can say about that!), as well as continuing to source funding for the movie.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my daughter has definitely defined my life and shapes how I see myself. I was young, and she was unexpected, but she was the best gift I could have ever received.
Kaylee seemed to be born more mature, more driven, and more sure of herself than I am, even to this day. She was only four years old when she informed me that after high school, she’d be moving to Paris, France, to be a fashion designer. And that’s all there was to it. She knew her mind and her capabilities even then, and for the next fourteen years, she applied herself consistently to making that goal a reality. And now she is in her tenth year of living in Paris, designing under the name Kaylee Catherine.
It is because of her, I finally had the courage to do what I’d always dreamed of doing. She is better than the best version of myself, and still somehow, she sees me as the best mom she could have. She knows how to remind me of who I am in God’s eyes, which is something I struggle with. I wouldn’t be me without her.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Whew, these questions are deep.
I have dealt with low self-esteem, poor self-image, and varying degrees of self-loathing since I can remember. I was raised overseas, and had a wonderful early childhood, but moving back to the US, especially dealing with culture shock and racism like I never expected, made my middle-grade and high school years tortuous. I didn’t know how to be myself, so I behaved one way with one group of friends, and differently with another. I was always trying to fit in, and it made me worse than inauthentic. In what I said and what I did, and especially in my beliefs.
If I could go back, I would take myself by the shoulders and say, “God didn’t make a mistake. You don’t have to be anyone but you.”
I never believed that, but I’m finally beginning to.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
This hits close to home for me right now. I recently finished a manuscript that was written from multiple POV. I’ve seen it done, I have read a broad spectrum of authors who do this. I find it adds depth that cannot be achieved any other way.
But I was initially told I was not famous enough to get away with it.
Boy, that bunched up my britches! (Is that a thing, or did I just make that up? I’ve been in the South long enough to think that makes sense.) What does that have to do with anything?
Anyway, I argued. I sulked. I pouted. And I finally agreed to a slight compromise. But in the end, I sort of got my way. Well, we’ll see soon enough!
I think it’s important to be open to a new writer standing out, though. I don’t really just want to be middle of the pack.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
For me, my heart for people experiencing homelessness or poverty. There were years I would probably have been in this situation if it weren’t for my parents and others choosing to fill my pantry with food and my home with furnishings. These weren’t people who had an abundance themselves, but sacrificially loved my daughter and I to help us through.
I’ve been on both sides, and one thing I know is how my heart just aches when I see someone struggling, and even if it takes my last bit of breathing room in my bank account, I have to help.
And in those times when I’ve had nothing to give, I don’t hesitate to give them my attention. To let them know they are seen. To listen to their story, if they choose to share it. Perhaps it’s empathy from having been so close to homelessness myself, but I’ll never understand those who think simply being impoverished makes a person less worthy of care and respect.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jessicastonestories.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JessicaStoneStoryteller/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaStoneStoryteller
Image Credits
Fofia Studio Creations
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