Featured Interview With Jason Williams
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Clarksville, Tennessee, about forty miles outside Nashville, and moved to Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 2019. I share life with my wife Robin and our children, along with a house full of animals. We have Bella, a lively Boston Terrier, three cats named Nimbus, Dorito, and Lucky, and three snakes that keep things interesting. In January of 2025, we opened Original Italian Pizza of West Virginia in Bridgeport, which has been an exciting new adventure. Beyond that, I have spent many years helping other writers create and develop their stories, and this year I began focusing on my own writing with the release of Ink and the Forge. Writing has always been my way of encouraging and equipping others, and I am grateful to now share my own work as well.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have always been fascinated by books, but growing up with ADHD made reading a real struggle for me. I wanted to enjoy stories the way others did, yet focusing long enough to finish a book felt nearly impossible. For years, reading was something I admired from the outside rather than something I could fully experience. Over time, though, I learned strategies to slow down, focus, and truly engage with what I was reading. That breakthrough changed everything. Not only did I begin to enjoy books more deeply, but I also discovered how much I loved writing. I started with small attempts in my teenage years, and while those early efforts were rough, they planted the seeds of a lifelong passion. Today, writing has become both a discipline and a joy for me, and publishing Ink and the Forge marks a personal milestone in overcoming those early challenges.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Some of my favorite authors to read are J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Max Lucado. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings taught me the beauty of adventure and worldbuilding, while Lewis showed me how stories can carry both imagination and truth. Max Lucado has been a steady influence on me as a Christian writer, modeling a style that is clear, warm, and deeply encouraging.
My favorite genres to read are fantasy and Christian nonfiction. I love fantasy for the way it stirs the imagination and opens doors to new worlds, and I love Christian works for how they bring comfort, direction, and strength into real life.
I draw inspiration from writers who are able to blend truth with story, whether in fiction or nonfiction. Their work reminds me that words can both entertain and transform, and that is what I hope to do in my own writing.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is Ink and the Forge: Building Stories One Element at a Time. It is a practical guide for writers who want to move from scattered ideas to finished stories with clarity and confidence. The book breaks down storytelling into its essential elements such as character, plot, theme, and worldbuilding, showing how each piece fits together to create something lasting.
What makes Ink and the Forge unique is that it is both instructional and encouraging. It does not just teach mechanics but also reminds writers why their words matter and how their stories can impact others. Whether you are writing your first draft or refining your tenth, this book gives you tools to strengthen your craft and inspiration to keep going.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
Jason Williams’s Website