J.W. Kitson
“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” Terry Pratchett Become a PartnerWhere Imagination Meets Purpose
Writing, to me, isn’t just a hobby; it’s a passion and mission to change as much of the world as possible. The rough draft of a manuscript is always intriguing to me, because it is my opportunity to tell myself a story without worrying about the editing process. I get to create imaginary settings, unpredictable plots, and develop characters and watch them cope with whatever dilemma they face. There is simply magic and personal fulfillment in storytelling.
I am also a film producer and screenwriter, and I’ve taken part in almost a dozen productions involving producing, acting, screenwriting, and behind the scenes duties as crew. Watching my beloved characters from my novel Song of the Tree Frogs was one of the greatest delights I have experienced thus far. Another of those stellar moments was getting to work with incredibly talented and award-winning actors and producers. Most recently, we are working on two new releases scheduled for 2021.
I am an educator with thirty years of experience with students from Kindergarten through college level. I’m honored to work for my home school district in East Liverpool, Ohio, as well as nearly thirty years with Kent State University. I have received a lot of inspiration from my students over the years, and I’ve worked with some amazing colleagues. In education, there is certainly no such thing as a “typical day.”
I married my beautiful, supportive wife, Connie, in 1998, and we have a wonderful, talented daughter, Madison. She is a model and attends college where she is studying radiology. We also have some “adopted sons,” whom we are honored to call family. Joey and Tony appear on the back of one of my business cards (representing the brothers in Song of the Tree Frogs), and Matthew, who is a model, actor, and gifted young man who appears on two of my book covers. We are very blessed with those whom God has brought into our lives.
Dream…And Never Let Go
If you have a dream, I strongly encourage you to pursue it with all your efforts. Failure is always a part of the experience, but I have learned that any kind of work worth doing often involves inspiration, dedication, ambition, innovation, and of course, a whole lot of perspiration. Always remember that inside each of us, there is a universe of stories, talents, ambitions, experiences, and dreams worth sharing with others! After all, it is others who inspire me the most, especially when they share their amazing lives with me.