Story & Lesson Highlights with John McGuire of Suwanee

We recently had the chance to connect with John McGuire and have shared our conversation below.

Hi John, 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: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think we are all dealing with some form of Imposter Syndrome. There are tons of moments every day where I know I question whether or not I am up to any number of tasks. Whether it be in my day job as a Civil Engineer or in my night job where I’m a writer. It’s scary to not have absolute confidence, but I also think that a part of life is trying to find ways to remind ourselves that we wouldn’t be where we are without being somewhat confident. All it takes is one victory (no matter how small), and we can start to build from that.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is John McGuire, and I like to say that by day I design roads and by night I create worlds through the writing of novels, short stories, and comic books.

I have written three novels and have a couple of ongoing comic book series which span genres, everything from Science Fiction to Urban Fantasy to Apocolyptic Fantasy to Kids on Bikes. Sadly, I might have more of a ‘brand” if I stuck to one genre, but my brain doesn’t let me work that way.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
My parents divorced when I was very little (3ish), which certainly isn’t a unique story. However, about nine years later, when both of them had grown and matured, they found their way back to each other and remarried. In that moment, I saw that love isn’t something that can ever be completely extinguished. Yes, there may be moments that are difficult and strain your relationship, and even make it so that you cannot remain together… but that doesn’t mean it has to be THE END.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Every night when I stare at a blank page. It is one of the most intimidating things for me because it respresents infinite possibilites, and that can be scary. How do you begin? What if you don’t have an ending in mind, will the narrative just spiral out of control into an unreadable mess?

But all the things that might make me want to give up are also connected to the things that push me forward. Allowing myself the ability to fail. To learn from those failures and use it as more motivation.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
Everything and everyone that I encounter. Every author whose work I read. Every movie and TV Show I watch. Conversations with friends and family.

I think, as a writer, you should allow all of that to enter into your mind, let it mix and mingle, and from there all sorts of ideas will arise. Maybe it is a little line of dialogue you overhear in a resturant. Maybe it is a deep conversation with a friend about the nature of the world. It could come from anywhere and at any time… so you just have to allow yourself to be open to it.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Since my writing isn’t paying the bills quite yet, I don’t have to worry about something not being praised. For me, writing is something I love to do and even if nothing ever came of it, I would still strive to put out the best product that I can.

They always say, write what you would want to read, so as long as I’m entertaining myself, that’s what matters the most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://johnrmcguire.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmcguire40/
• Twitter: @JohnR_McGuire
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGildedAgeComic
• Other: BlueSky – @johnmcguire.bsky.social‬