Jasmine Scott aka JCS shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jasmine Scott, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Society has molded a lot of us into believing we have to achieve something now.
When really, taking your time allows so much space to be taken up, time just folds inwards for you.
I am grateful to have taken my time in many aspects of my life, but especially when writing The Fray. So many details were added, so much research was done. It is complex, and I was able to build upon characters, storylines, and even romances.
So instead of the ten chapter novellas I pushed out, this took FOREVER, and I will always be grateful I took my time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is JCS. I’m a Afro-Mexicana writer, illustrator and creator.
My content focuses on encouraging women and people of color, no matter the shade…to be themselves. I love Fantasy, Sci-fi and Occult Horror, so my worlds and the people in them are blended.
I also create music, and will be getting into voice acting soon!
The Fray, which is available on preorder through Barnes and Noble, is what takes up the majority of my time (and thoughts.) This was a HUGE project for me, and previews have surpassed 750k views on Facebook and Instagram, and nearly 9k reads on my website. It’s set to release 1/27/26.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Most of my teachers – especially art teachers and English teachers! Most coddled my talents, but it wasn’t until I attended college that I was told I shouldn’t really be there – “you are an exceptional writer, you should be writing.”
I heard it so much, I finally decided to take that leap of faith in 2012.
Good things take time. And I’m very happy I stick with my passions!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In the beginning stages of my writing career, I so badly wanted to impress those who had put me down. And things didn’t exactly pan out how I wanted.
For a brief moment, I wondered if it was worth it, but I continued creating, pushing my content and building myself up.
Years later, I realize that in those moments where I wanted to give up, I took a step back and realized I’d gone too far to quit!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
“Sell a million books.”
No.
Write because you cannot help it.
Write because fervor is an excellent word and it needs to be described.
Write (or create) because it is healing. And then see where you land. Stop writing for fame and fortune, and create because you need it, and what you do helps inspire someone else.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand myself – in which if you do not…that is when you are lost.
Sure! Discover more about someone else! Or dive deep into the depths of your own darkness, and fight the demons you yourself keep at bay. I understand also, that my choices shape my reality.
And how I feel about my reality shapes it even more so.
And that is understanding yourself, and your existence. You accept what you can’t change, you move on.
You try again.
Not forever moving, but allowing. Not fearing, but loving yourself, and all that you do.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thevampirejcs.black
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheiressjcs?igsh=MTMyeDNlYmE5eGhibA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D9ZKz55bf/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fray-jc-s/1148731727
