J W Nelson Explores Diverse Narratives in His Engaging Literary Journey

PHOTO: J W Nelson, a dynamic storyteller, balances family life with a passion for writing across genres, captivating audiences with his imaginative tales.

Embracing Creativity Across Genres With Heartfelt Stories

J W Nelson discusses his diverse writing journey, inspirations from personal experiences, and the balance of creativity, parenting, and various passions.

J W Nelson embodies the spirit of a modern storyteller, seamlessly traversing genres and captivating readers of all ages. With a penchant for adult comedy/drama showcased in Company of Fools, a lyrical exploration in Poetry for the Festive Season, and now venturing into the realm of mid-grade and young adult fiction with Pentagon Pirate Gang: The Secret of the Orchard, Nelson’s versatility as a writer is nothing short of inspiring.

His work is not only a reflection of his rich personal experiences but also a vibrant tapestry woven from the sights and sounds of his community in Nottinghamshire. As he engages with themes of love, ambition, mystery, and the whimsical nuances of life, readers find themselves immersed in narratives that resonate on multiple levels. Nelson’s ability to draw from his diverse roles as a father, football coach, dancer, and DJ adds remarkable depth to his storytelling, crafting characters that feel genuine and relatable.

In this exclusive interview featured in Mosaic Digest, we delve into the mind of J W Nelson, exploring the inspirations behind his latest works, his creative processes, and the balancing act of life as an author amidst his many passions. Join us as we celebrate his literary journey and the myriad tales he has yet to tell. Readers will discover why J W Nelson is a voice to be reckoned with in contemporary literature, and we can’t wait to see where his adventurous spirit takes him next.

J W Nelson’s creativity and versatility make him a standout author, captivating readers with authentic, engaging stories across multiple genres.

You’ve been writing since the age of ten, with your early stories even read aloud by a supportive English teacher. How did that formative experience influence your decision to pursue writing seriously later in life?

(JW) I must say it had a profound effect on me. It gave me the confidence to be able to think, build and create longer stories, using life around me as the platform to create a story that others may want to read and enjoy. I enjoy the act of writing and could certainly do this for a career if I were able to. This enjoyment also comes from reading other books and watching films, to further stimulate my active mind for new ideas and stories that need to be written.

Writing has always been a way for me to express and explore the world around me.” – J W Nelson

Your latest young adult adventure novel, Pentagon Pirate Gang: The Secret of the Orchard, introduces readers to a unique school and hidden mystery. What sparked the idea for this imaginative new series?

(JW) This started as I took my two children to school each day. The Primary school is called Orchard. At the back of the school there is a large green/grassy area used for sports days and football. I thought about what would it be like to have an orchard in your school, but it had hidden secrets and mysteries. Secrets that the teachers wanted to hide from you. Then the setting of Sherwood Forest made sense (that’s where I live now) and the many stories told about Robin Hood, made this an ideal location to set the school in. Using the influences from other novels, films and my own ideas, it finally all came to fruition, with the first book out and 4 more due.

In Company of Fools, your protagonist navigates love, ambition, and the fallout of a mysterious workplace death. How much of Justin Whalley’s story was inspired by your own two decades working in IT sales?

(JW) A lot of it. So many ‘incidents’ happened throughout my time in sales (I’m still in the same profession). Many of these happened by chance and some were unfortunately created by my colleagues, amid those carefree times in the 1990s. All this supplied the necessary fodder to create Justin and the cast and crew alongside him. Utilising elements of character traits, behaviours, actions, how they thought, pulled the story together, with the added element of love, loss, heartache and maybe sometimes, joy.

You write across a broad range—romantic comedy, poetry, YA fantasy, and even picture books. How do you shift creatively between such different genres and audiences?

(JW) This comes from my absolute love of writing and developing stories that I would like to read or see. I have ideas for over 20 books (some are serials like Pentagon Pirate Gang) and I would love to think I could write and get them all published in some way. My shift in writing comes from jotting down ideas, at night, during the day (using my Notes feature on my Iphone) and storing these up for another time. Also its how I feel on that day, and as I write a lot of poetry too, this also leads to new ideas. Then when ready I’ll have a focussed, Poetry day for the younger children. Then an adult comedy or thriller time, usually segregated by a few weeks or until I finish one project.

Between parenting, football coaching, DJing, and dancing, how do you balance everyday life with your writing? Do those personal passions find their way into your characters or stories?

(JW) Very, very difficult and in fact I don’t genuinely have enough time to fit it all in. So it takes planning and discipline, and I had stopped dancing, but have recently re-started Salsa, as my children are now older enough to ‘fend for themselves’!

With your poetry collection and YA series complete, what’s on the horizon for you as an author? Will readers see your thriller trilogy next, or perhaps something entirely unexpected?

(JW) My first next step is to complete the Pentagon Pirate Gang series. Once done I will move to the Little Boy Hood and Why Cows Moo – my poetic Picture books. After that I may write the follow up to Company of Fools called Journey into History. I do have plans to write a drama thriller set in the business world, (think of the film ‘The Recruit’ and TV shows like The Apprentice) with a series of books with different titles but are all inter linked.

EDITOR’S NOTE

“Pentagon Pirate Gang: The Secret of the Orchard” by J.W. Nelson is a captivating adventure that seamlessly blends humor, mystery, and camaraderie. Set against the enchanting backdrop of Sherwood Forest, the story follows five endearing students battling the cunning headmistress, Mrs. Blackfruit, and her treacherous deputy, Mr. Thornby. Nelson masterfully crafts a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, resonating with themes of friendship and bravery. The unexpected twists tied to an event from the past create a rich tapestry that adds depth to the characters’ quest. With its imaginative plot and engaging prose, this book is a delightful read that will entice readers of all ages to join the Pentagon Pirate Gang on their thrilling journey. Highly recommended!