Category: The Storyteller

From the mind, heart, and hands of Daniel J. James.

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    Sooo… it’s my Birthday.

    Usually my birthday comes with some kind of emotion or anxiety, or feelings of some sort.

    But not this year.

    This year I feel hopeful.

    This year I feel a little more steady.

    And honestly, this year I have a few less fucks to give (which is a good thing).

    I feel more ready to lose.

    I feel more comfortable with a win.

    I feel like like I want that authenticity more, and I’m more clear on what that means for me.

    So… Happy Birthday to Me!

    Excited to see what another year brings.

  • Let it go…

    Let it go…

    Dear Black Women. Dear Black People. Dear World.

    It’s okay to let it go.

    The pain and the trauma and the hurt that someone else gave to you, it’s alright to release it and lay it down.

    I’ve been seeing this a lot as of late. The Universe is not only giving permission, but it is in need of people, especially Black Women, to let go of the pain they’ve been holding on to like a dear treasure.

    This is not a call to forget, and it’s damn sure not a call to forgive, but it is a call to freedom.

    That cage that someone, or something, or some happening put you in, that is not your home.

    Do what you have to do to heal, for your own sake.

    Not because someone needs you to be better, or because someone else needs you to be your best you.

    Heal because you deserve to be your best you, for YOU.

    Heal because you deserve all the light, and love, and joy that this world has to offer, and you deserve to grab on to all the goodness with both hands, but you have to empty it of that thing you’re holding on to, to fully grasp the goodness.

    It’s not your fault, but it is your responsibility to get help.

    Talk about it.

    Stop protecting the ones who gave you hurt.

    Go to therapy.

    Pray.

    Meditate.

    Drink water.

    Eat good food.

    Take your medication.

    Tell your story.

    Be free.

  • small victories.

    small victories.

    I struggle sometimes to find faith in myself. Or maybe I should say that I’m struggling. Hitting those moments when you feel like you’ve given something all you’ve got and it’s not enough can be even more draining. I’m praying for a few small victories to help me through, cause man, I need a win bad…

    -Daniel J. James-

  • Not a Guitar Hero…

    Not a Guitar Hero…

    When I was about 18 I bought a guitar.

    I never expected myself to gain legendary skills, but I did hope to one day be somewhat good at it.

    I pt those dreams away years ago, and left the little I did learn behind me.

    But tonight I picked up the guitar again, and for the first time I felt a little spark.

    Maybe I’ll try again…

    -Daniel J. James-

  • Finding time in life to live.

    Finding time in life to live.

    I just wanna wake up, make some awesome shit, eat some good food, go to sleep, wake up the next day and do the same thing, wash, rinse and repeat.

    But life be lifin, and the world we chose don’t always work the way we want it.

    So in between life, I try to find moments to live.

    To live,

    To write,

    To write,

    To draw,

    To create.

    I try to find those little bright spots that allow me to be me.

    Because no matter what life throws our way, we should never lose that little light that burns in us and makes us who we are…

    -Daniel J. James-

  • Ask the question…

    Ask the question…

    I suppose it’s not just the question, but a series of questions I’ve been asking myself as of late.

    Who is my most authentic self?

    Who do I owe my most authentic self to?

    When is it okay to put the mask on, and when is it okay to take it off.

    Am I being less of myself when the mask is on?

    To answer the questions…

    Whoever I chose to be.

    Myself.

    There is no mask.

    There is only you.

  • The Story Continues…

    The Story Continues…

    When I wrote Pavilion Remembers: Halo Sky, I did so with no real expectations. I knew very little of where I wanted it to end up, and even during the writing process the characters pretty much took control and did whatever they wanted to and left me to clean up the mess. I understand now that this story is a good jumping off point for my other stories, because it is the one that has been the most authentically me. It wasn’t inspired by other properties that I love, or a continuation of the things I created as a kid, but it is a bridge for all that I’ve loved, all that I wanted, and all that is to come. When I sat down to write this book, I told myself above all, don’t edit myself. Allow the story and the characters to be who and what they are, and moving forward, I must give myself that same permission with the stories that are to come…

    -Daniel J. James-

  • Starting over again… Again

    Starting over again… Again

    Here I am, once again scrapping the ideas and efforts I put into making ASH 9/17 and the Pavilion Stories something I felt people would like. Something I thought would be eye catching and draw in a lot of people.

    Hours and years gone.

    It’s a little embarrassing to open myself up in such a way to share these things I’ve created publicly, only to have to pull back and say, oops, I’m going the wrong way.

    I spent a lot of time and energy trying to redirect myself while on the wrong course and in the end, I just had to jump off and start back at the beginning.

    The thing is though, allowing myself to think out loud and figure things out in real time has put me in a good staring position and also has brought to to the point were I really and truly want more for myself than to just make something I think people will like.

    I want joy.

    I want contentment.

    I want authenticity.

    I want to be happy with what I’m creating, and I want the right people to come on the ride with me.

    While I still feel I’m in a bit of a compromised position, I understand it’s one I’ve come to naturally.

    Most of my stories first came to me before I was a preteen, and now I’m working to reconcile these stories that are screaming for life with my own 40 years of living.

    I’m also now coming to a place where I have to accept my own limits. I want to tell my stories in the best possible way that I can, though I have to accept that there are just some things that time and ability just will not allow.

    One of the biggest mistakes I made, was I tried to make ASH 9/17 out to be some professional business thing, and really, it’s just me. And if it is to survive and thrive, then it has to be by me being authentic and true to me, who I am, and what it is I truly want and am able to do.

    As I am writing this, I’m coming to a point where for the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to creating again. I’m looking forward to sharing again. I’m hoping again.

    Blessed be… I’m hoping again…

    -Daniel J. James-