J. J. recently published a novel that has a very interesting plot to it. Its a pleasure to talk to him. Welcome to Reader Views.

Juanita: You have penned a compelling and intriguing novel, what inspired you to write Truth Told?

J.J. Nash: My simple want to tell a story and create a forum for discussion inspired Truth Told. I wanted to share my opinions of Truth, whether it was correct or not. As a life-long learner, I constantly read. Im not someone who talks a lot; therefore, the only avenue I have to voice my opinion is through written words. All of my stories are inspired from my reading. It is my way of continuing the conversation of the previous author, and inserting my views on a particular subject or theory.

Juanita: The premise of your book comes from Platos Apology. Please elaborate on this.

J.J.: The Apology gives us the details of the trial of Socrates, who was put to death because he refused to stop educating the youth of Athens. Socrates, like my main character Vaughn, never apologized for what he did. Actually, he told the rulers of Athens that if they let him go he would continue doing just what was being accused of doing. Vaughn, the main character of Truth Told, never apologizes for his actions, and contends that he was totally justified through Truth.

Alice Walker said the only perfect book published was the Bible, and the rest of us practice the craft of writing; trying to write our own perfect book. When I practice writing, I am practicing to join The Great Conversation. The Great Conversation, as described by scholar/philosopher Mortimer Adler, is a continuing conversation written through time where writers build upon the premises of other great writers, answering the questions the others have presented. Therefore, in my writing I like to take other major works of literature, and try to answer the philosophical questions that have been presented.

Truth Told is based on Platos Apology. My upcoming title, On A Pedestal, tries to answer questions of love presented in Platos Symposium. Im even working on a work that incorporates, Machiavellis The Prince, and The Lost Books of the Bible. It is my goal that soon, we will have an African-Americans voice inside The Great Conversation.

Juanita: Who are the characters in the book and are they inspired or reminiscent of anyone in your life?

J.J.: Vaughn Lee Robinson, was originally the main character in Truth Told. His character was formed from my thoughts about Socrates. Socrates declared that the more he learned, the more he realized that he knew nothing at all. Vaughn makes a statement in the book that he doesnt know the truth, but he believes that he can recognize the truth when it comes along. Vaughns character is totally fictious growing from a base which is Socrates. The other characters in the book are based from concepts about Truth itself. I wanted to place an individual from every thought of truth in the book. For example, Trina, Vaughns niece, has no clue what Truth is, or what it means. It is her job in the book to find Truth. Ann, Trinas mentor, and Carlos, Vaughns cell-mate, live by her/his own truth. What is relative for them, is true for them, whether it is someone elses truth or not. Vaughn and Keith (Trinas life-long friend) live by a concept of truth that is true for all, whether that thought does them good or not.

Juanita: What is the underlying message you would like Truth Told to convey to your readers?

J.J.: With hopes Truth Told would change the way we look at ourselves causing mankind to start living for truth. It is imperative that we not allow society to define how we are supposed to live. In addition, it is vital that we cease to look for other peoples approval. We should live for what is right.

Keith is a character in Truth Told. Keith works a simple job that only pays enough for him to sustain his level of life, and hes fine with that. But Keith has a talent for singing Country and Western music. Keith loves singing; therefore, he doesnt care if society says that African-Americans are not supposed to sing, or like, country music. He sings because he feels that is what God put him on Earth to do. To further that thought, he feels uncomfortable accepting money for singing. Why? Because, in his mind, that is what hes suppose to do, as prescribed by God. Whether he gets paid or not hes still going to sing.

To bring greater understanding to this character let us take the example of a preacher. If a preacher is called by God to preach the Word of God, why should that preacher receive huge amounts of money to do what God told him to do? Why should a preacher get paid enough money to buy a Rolls Royce and a million dollar home, while his parishioners dont have enough money to adequately provide for their families? If we didnt pay the preacher so much money would they still preach? That is what God commanded them to do. Pasterhood is their mission; whether we pay them or not. Socrates didnt receive huge amounts of money to educate the youth of Athens. Jesus didnt receive any money to spread the doctrine of his Father. If we live in Truth, we dont need payment, or huge amounts of it, for the Truth we are suppose to spread.

Juanita: J.J., you have had quite a life journey so far. You were a Marine, joined the Navy, graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in Public Relations, then went on to receive your MA in Education from the University of Phoenix, and are a schoolteacher in Florida. How has your life experiences contributed to the depth of content in your novel?

J.J.: God, my lovely wife, and children along with my educational and occupational experiences have contributed everything to my writing. Traveling and reading have taught me that the world in which I lived in was only a small part of a bigger existence that we all share.

We should have as many experiences in life as possible. For example, Im a mediocre educator, but what I teach my students transcends English and social studies. Todays global society is about survival and advancement. I use every experience that Ive had in life to give the youth the tools that they need. Im highly effective in that task with my students because I have failed in so many things I have attempted in life myself. Ive failed classes in junior high, Ive failed classes in high-school, I even flunked out of college in my first attempt. Therefore, through my experiences I have become what many of my students claim me to be the best teacher they ever had. I dont know if thats true, but I try to teach them through my experiences without holding back any of the details, no matter how much I would love to keep them hidden in my past.

Juanita: You have mentioned that you have overcome adversity and many failures in your life. Do you feel this has led you to write a novel with such a strong underlying theme?

J.J.: Yes, and it will keep me writing fiction and nonfiction that stimulates the growth of the mind. I want to write using philosophy as the premise in all of my work. I want to bring the pains and views that Ive experienced to the consciousness of all readers, all people. Even more, I believe that African-Americans have been intellectually dormant for too long. We had/have brilliant scholars in our community, but as a whole we have been trained that African-Americans have no worth or history that is relevant to mankind and todays world. This is evident in numerous American History school curriculums. We have been told that we do not have a voice, that we are incapable of producing intellectual thought. Civilization began in Africa. Africans held the first civilizations for 4000 years in the Nile Valley before being conquered by the barbarian European nations. African-Americans, are just reawakening our glory. We are not a people who need to be constantly entertained. We are a people who can write and believe in our own history.

Juanita: Well J.J., you are a shining example of someone who definitely can write. Your inspiration to the African American community is invaluable. Have you always wanted to write a novel? What led you to becoming a full-time writer at this point in your life?

J.J.: I have always been a writer. Ive been writing since before I started grade school. I won my first writing contest in the fourth grade. Its time for me to fulfill my destiny. I have to write. I consider myself a true life long learner. I read books in every genre, on every subject. When I find something that I never noticed before in someones book, I cant wait to tell someone about it. My wife constantly reminds me that like a pastors mission is to preach and bring lost souls to God, it is my mission to tell/create stories that engage readers in a world that is very realistic yet sometimes beyond belief.

Juanita: J.J., you have six children ranging in ages from three to nineteen. How have you found the time to write and what do they think of Dads new book?

J.J.: My wife and children are my life. Anyone who knows me knows that I let them spell out the words that make up the pages in my book of life. It is my love for them that keeps me writing, because I know that through writing, one day, I will be able to provide for their future. What do they think about the book? I dont know, I think they are more in awe that it actually exists. That I could create something that the world has the opportunity to read. It has given them the hope that they need to pursue their goals in life.

Juanita: Thank you J.J., any parting thoughts, and when can your readers expect your next book?

J.J.: On A Pedestal is the next book and will be available through iUniverse ` around the end of May or early June. I will like to take the time to thank you for this interview and opportunity to share my world with an even bigger world. Peace.