A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of interviewing a good writer friend of mine, J.C. King. Often times, we get to see the creations, but know little about the creator. I wanted to change that today. J.C. is not only a great writer with many ideas and a world of full of art in his soul, but he’s also a great spirit.

So take some time today and get to know the man behind the pen. When you’re done, make sure you support his work!

So tell us, where are you from, and where did you grow up?

I am from Hartford, Connecticut. I was born there but primarily raised in the south. More specifically the north side of Atlanta, Georgia [Gwinnett County].

As a child, do you think your environment(s) cultivated a space for you to be creative? Why or why not?

Yes. Absolutely. Even though my environment(s) growing up really suggested that I’d be athletic and make something of a sports career, being sickly cut that short. So being creative really wasn’t in the cards for me.. but at the same time, I come from a creative family. My mother’s a writer and my grandfather was a DJ. Few of my cousins are musicians and so on. So yeah, my environment and other factors play a major role in me doing what I do.

What is your favorite childhood memory that involves you doing something that allowed you to practice your artistry — even if it has nothing to do with writing?

Making up scenarios in my head that point toward ultimate success and I have to give an acceptance speech. It is something that I still do currently; so with no time to write it? I speak from the heart and oftentimes I have to really think about where I’m headed because in order to be successful, I must do something extraordinary because that regular stuff doesn’t make me feel alive.

How much of an impact did the places where you grew up have on your writing?

I’m truly not sure. I don’t think so much that the places had an effect on my writing. More so the experiences. It has to be the experiences because without them, there is nothing to go on.

When was the very first moment you realized that you wanted to be a writer? To follow up on that, what about writing makes your soul feel alive?

I had to be in middle school. I always wrote rhymes and poems because I kind of wanted to be a hip hop artist when I was a kid but I heard somewhere that one of my favorite movies [Friday] was written by one of my favorite artists [Ice Cube]. So in my quest to be more like Cube, I started practicing being more descriptive in my work.

And to your question about writing making me feel alive? I think it’s because I’ve forged myself into the history books that makes all of this seem more meaningful than it is because without my work? I’m just Jonathan. A kid from Hartford. But as a writer? A contributor to the black arts and history? That means everything to me!

Who were the voices you grew up with that shaped your sense of storytelling and poetry? Whether it be family, friends, teachers, poets, other authors, or even strangers.

Jay-Z. 2pac. Tyler Perry. Ice Cube. Mike Myers. Bernie Mac. Richard Pryor and my grandfather. Without those names and a few others, I don’t think I’d be as consistent or even noteworthy in this solitary profession. But that was growing up. As an adult? Ms. Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Gil Scot-Heron and Amiri Baraka play an intricate role in my ideas.

When you look back at your earliest work, what do you see now that you feel you didn’t see back then? And in looking back, how do you feel you’ve grown as a writer?

My early work was sad and depressing. Other times it was violent and arrogant. But it was all real and true to my life at the time, now? I’m not saying everything is all bubbly or peaceful but it ain’t as hectic and downtrodden as things were. So I’ve grown in personal maturity and artistic subject matter.

What theme or truth do you continue to return to in your work? No matter how many times you may try to shy away from it or change the lane or topic of what you’re writing about? Why do you think that is?

There’s more to life than working and paying bills. There’s more to personal success and validation than fame and glory. There’s more to achievement than visibility and access to the world. There’s more to the black man than physical prowess and sensual accolades. And that’s primarily because the white media portrays us that way, so I take it upon myself to help destroy and stray away from stereotypes and other unrealistic ideals in regards to black men and black people in general.

What’s one piece of writing, be it published or unpublished, that you currently have that speaks to you in ways nothing else does? You know, the one poem, the one story, that when you read it... you’re like goddamn! I wrote that?! Tell us why that specific piece grabs a hold of you the way it does.

I wrote a music review in 2023 for one of the most successful and prominent independent artists to date [Russ]. I wrote it with the intent for him to read it yet never thought he would.. and would you believe that he read, enjoyed and complimented my point of view of his work?? That shit had me hype for a whole month straight. Especially because he also posted it on twitter.

Which published work of yours reflects and deeply resonates with the man that you are today?

I unfortunately cannot answer that at this time. I have a lot of work out there and it would be hard to say which piece specifically resonates with who I am today.

What is the key factor that drives you to continue pushing the pen, even when it feels like you want to give up?

I’m not supposed to be here let alone be here doing what I’m doing. So I owe it to God to make something of my life.. I also have a little boy inside of me who has never given up on anything. Ever.. too competitive for his own good to a fault and for good reason. A chip on your shoulder is good even if you are not going against someone, your biggest competition is yourself and I refuse to lose.

What does your creative process looks like when you’re in the mindset to write? How do you get the juices flowing again when you feel that you’ve hit a block?

My regular process? Listen to music or watch my favorite movies. When I hit a block? I play Call of Duty or go for a walk. Or I do one thing many folks forget to do.. I read my old work and instantly, ideas start flooding my brain and it’s kind of overwhelming but it helps.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with any author, dead or alive, who would that be and why?

Nikki Giovanni. I met her in 2020 but I’d love to pick her brain. She’s awesome and one the driving forces behind making my work readily accessible and free via online blogging sites.

What projects should we be looking forward to in the future from you?

A novel or two. A feature film. A spoken word album. I cannot disclose specifics but just know, I’m working and making steady progress to achieve my goals.

Other than writing, what other forms of art are you currently interested in and why? Do you think those other art forms have an influence on your work?

Drawing. Filmmaking. Acting. Music. Comedy. I love all of them and am an active participant in each medium. I just haven’t gotten over my fear of putting myself out there to make a name for myself in those lanes. And all of them most certainly influence my work.

It’s fairly easy to be influenced by other industries but when you’re a fan? You’re gonna be influenced, in a positive way, to do more and become better. Forcing you to perfect your craft and you can’t do that without studying the arts. In all forms.

What is the end all goal for your life personally and professionally? What will be the catalyst in your life that will make you say, damn, I have finally made it?

When I was a kid, my grandmother whom helped raised me watch Oprah everyday as if she and her were on a first name basis.. and even though my nana has passed and Oprah no longer has her studio tv show, I still aim to be on somebody’s tv couch praising my mom and nana for instilling me that I can do absolutely anything in life.

If you could sit down right now and have a conversation with the childhood version of yourself, what would you tell him?

You inspire me. You are the key to being here today. Picking up that gun won’t solve your problems.. so put it down and cry.. because if you don’t you won’t get to see that life’s a bit better when you face the problem instead of trying to run away from it or hurt those who’ve hurt you. And always remember: I love you. Always have, always will. I am the big brother you hoped for and you are the little sibling I prayed for but never got..

In 10 years from now, who is J.C. King?

A living testimony that all things are possible when you put God first and bet on yourself!

Leave us today with a quote from your favorite author and tell the people where they can find you.

“Black love is black wealth.” ~Nikki Giovanni

You can find me on Twitter, jckingcreations. Youtube, poetrykingjc. And of course, all of my published work is exclusively available on Barnes and Noble.

Support Black! 🖤

You can find J.C. King’s work linked here.