Write On! interviews author James Thomas

James has written short films and a feature length screenplay for independent directors, producers and production companies, as well as working in Los Angeles as a script editor. He’s been writing professionally since a teenager and has written film reviews for several newspapers, Internet magazines and for Sky Movies 24. Pre-pandemic, James ran creative writing courses for teenagers in East London.

His debut novel, My Name Isn’t Joe, is literary fiction and tells the story of a young man full of personal demons but with a wicked sense of humour. It’s a story of hope, grief and love, told through the main character, Joe’s eyes. Looking behind the masks people put on every day, his sharp wit and darkly sensitive insight question why we choose to continue when so many of us lead lives of silent desperation.

James studied Writing And Directing For Film And Theatre at City University, City And Islington College and Shoreditch College. He has also completed writing courses with Raindance and attended writing seminars run by William Goldman, Robert McKee and Aaron Sorkin.

A trained public speaker, James has been interviewed by the BBC and on Sky TV. His varied job roles and life experience have shaped his writing: he’s been everything from a Corporate Business Manager to a KFC Cashier, has travelled across six continents (though Antarctica still eludes him), has endured tragic losses but also enjoyed terrific wins. A love of films and books is only surpassed by his passion for writing, and his desire to touch others through this art form.

WO: How would you describe your writing to someone new to it?

JT: Witty, introspective literary fiction. I use humour to explore emotional conflicts we all go through but are often too afraid or ashamed to discuss openly.

WO: Can you tell us a bit about your latest book?

JT: My Name Isn’t Joe is an inspiring coming-of-age story about personal growth and overcoming adversity. With empathy, humour and flashes of wit, it peels back the layers of loneliness and desperation prevailing in modern society to reveal the resilience of the human spirit. This powerfully honest debut novel explores universal themes of struggle, survival, healing and redemption as the protagonist reckons with loss, addiction, mental health issues and dysfunction within his family. Through his journey of self-discovery and reconciliation with the past, Joe finds the courage to confront deep-seated trauma and forge new connections. He faces his regrets and legacy head on, while learning the power of resilience, community and responsibility. This deeply moving reflective tale examines the personal transformation that follows crisis, offering an uplifting message of hope, recovery and empowerment.

WO: What inspired you to write in the first place, and what inspires you now?

JT: My first love was film. But what I later realised was that my true love was stories and storytelling; everything from The Bible to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. As much as I enjoyed reading and watching stories, I began to grow a passion for writing them. I wrote my first short story at eight years old with two of my classmates. Called ToeJam, Earl And Kickers, it was about three friends enjoying being grown-ups. They all wore the designer clothes we wanted to wear and spoke how we wanted to speak. It was the first time I expressed my inner self on paper, and it felt great!

What drives me now is the desire to inspire others. I want to be truly honest, telling popular stories with unpopular themes. I hope to normalise the struggles we go through in life so that we feel more comfortable discussing them, so feeling less alone. And seeing how others respond to this honesty with their own honesty, in opening up about their struggles, really motivates me to continue telling stories.

WO: A previous Write On! theme was ‘Difference.’ Writers have the potential to shape perceptions and influence how differences are understood and appreciated. Do you have a favourite example of a book that has inspired you to look at the world with new eyes, or even an example of how you have tried to build bridges through your own writing?

JT: Virginia Woolf’s To The Lighthouse changed my view on writing and relationships. I didn’t know one could write about such open introspection with such style. This moved me to look deeper into my life and the relationships therein. It helped me empathise with others and seek out the beauty in those around me. I try to break the stereotype of the stories Black writers tell. I wanted to show that the experience of being Afro-Caribbean wasn’t confined to crime, drugs and violence, but that we live normal lives too, with everyday conflicts that create drama.

WO: What one piece of advice would you give an aspiring writer?

JT: Read, read, read! To become a good writer you have to read and take in as much storytelling as possible, so as to learn and sharpen your craft.

WO: Question from Twitter user: @lisalovesbooksx Were you inspired by real-life events when writing your book?

JT: Absolutely. Much of my book was inspired by real-life events which happened to both myself and others.

WO: Can you tell us anything about future projects?

JT: Coming out soon: The Other Side Of Love – a collection of short stories and poems on the unspoken aspects of life’s most potent and, at times, painful emotions.

WO: Lastly, if you could choose one fictional animal/creature to be a pet or companion, who would it be and why?

JT: Medusa. I’d love to know her story. I can see us having a chat over a cuppa, some digestive biscuits and, of course, a blindfold, for me!

You can find out more about James Thomas here: jamesthomaswrites.co.uk and connect via: @jamesthomas_writer on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & YouTube.

My Name Isn’t Joe is available to buy here.

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Issue 23 is out now. You will find it in libraries and other outlets. Alternatively all current and previous editions can be found on our magazines page here. 

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