A Conversation with D. J. Glawson on: A moment that changed something / A turning point in your writing journey
“You have a strong and unique voice. Guard that.” Sometimes, a single sentence is enough to turn doubt into identity and a writer into someone who no longer questions her place.
J. Glawson writes stories that step into difficult spaces, exploring survival, exploitation, and the fragile thread of hope that runs through even the darkest realities. Her work doesn’t seek to shock for the sake of it, but to awaken awareness and remind readers that justice, however distant it may seem, is always worth pursuing. At the heart of her journey is a quiet but powerful shift: the moment she began to believe in her own voice.
The Conversation
Was there a specific moment in your writing journey that changed something for you?
Yes. My critique reader - who is a certified book coach - got back with me on my manuscript and said; “You have a strong and unique voice. Guard that. Don't let anyone take that away from you.” A couple of weeks later my development editor echoed her words.
How did that moment affect the way you see yourself as a writer?
Surprise at first then disbelief. I had to read her comment two or three times for it to sink in. It then morphed into acceptance that I was a better writer than I had thought. I am good enough.
Did it influence your work or the way you approach storytelling?
Definitely. It has made me more confident. I look at my writing completely differently. I no longer wonder if the entire thing is beyond repair and can look at individual sections that need work. I stopped second guessing all of my decisions.
Looking back, do you see that moment differently now?
Absolutely. I no longer feel like a wannabe writer. I am a writer. I am not as experienced, or have as many books out as others, but I am a writer.
What did you take from it that still stays with you today?
Stop doubting myself and my abilities. I really can do this, and do it well.
Closing Note
Sometimes the moment that changes everything is not loud or dramatic. It’s a sentence. A reflection. Someone seeing clearly what we have not yet allowed ourselves to believe. For D.J. Glawson, that moment didn’t just build confidence; it drew a line between doubt and identity. And on the other side of it, she no longer hoped to become a writer. She simply was one.
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