In this day and age of authors, books, movies, and TV shows that flood the media marketplace at a whirlwind pace, it behooves a person to distinguish himself/herself by capitalizing on his/her uniqueness of perspective and individual experiences and passions in order to set himself/herself apart from the pack, so to speak. In the case of D.J. Williams, he has accomplished just that as he writes books and directs/produces shows and films that are different from the prevailing fare that is currently available. I am quite happy to be able to feature him today on my site as he shares his unprecedented journeys of navigating the multifaceted media industry.

RH: Please tell us a little about your background and what inspired you to write?

DJW: Being born and raised in Hong Kong has given me a unique perspective on the world around me and instilled in me a sense of adventure at a young age. Since then, I’ve traveled into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the slums of the Far East over the course of a twenty-year career in the entertainment industry and nonprofit sector. People and places inspire the stories I love to write. But before those adventures, I remember at eight years old reading Treasure Island cover-to-cover lost in my bedroom captured by the characters and story of another world. When I closed the book, I was left dreaming of what happened after the last page. I didn’t realize it at the time, but a spark was lit in my soul to become a storyteller. Fast forward through the years where I found myself transitioning out of the music industry into the second act of my career as an executive producer and director in the TV business. Only then did that spark of inspiration illuminate to pursue a childhood dream and write mystery, suspense, and international thrillers.

What was your first published work?

The Disillusioned: (Back Cover) A mother’s suicide threatens to destroy a family legacy. Her sons, Sam and Daniel, are forced to leave their comfortable worlds behind and search for a woman they believe can unlock the secrets that have remained hidden. They are propelled into separate journeys from Los Angeles to the heart of the Zambezi where they are forced to confront a man known as Die Duiwel. On their adventures, they will find themselves in a place where death is one breath away, where thousands of children are disappearing into the darkness, and where the woman they are searching for is on the hunt for revenge. When they stand face-to-face with the forgotten slaves of Africa, they will fight to redeem what has been lost.

Please tell us about both of your novels and what inspired your writing of them

When I stood on the shores of the Zambezi River, a spark of a story pierced my soul. After three weeks trekking across the country of Zambia, witnessing the reality of those forgotten by the world and facing a major change in my career, there was a sense that one day I’d write about this place. Little did I know that it would be years before I found the courage to write my first novel, The Disillusioned. I was so afraid of failing that I wrote the novel without telling anyone. When it was finished, I reached out to a friend in the TV industry and she encouraged me to push forward and publish. I share that with you because those days on the Zambezi turned a childhood spark into a passion to become a storyteller.

Traveling to the poorest places in the world over several decades fueled my desire to create the Guardian Novels — a series of standalone stories filled with mystery, suspense, adventure, and a message that inspires readers to make a difference in the world. My hope is that the stories will draw readers in and the message will bridge the gap between fiction and reality. In The Disillusioned, the driving message focused on the fight against human trafficking. Since it’s release, proceeds from every book sold are donated to causes that are in the battle to end slavery through the Guardian Alliance —an extension not only of the books but of my missional DNA.

Writing the second novel, Waking Lazarus, was challenging to write in the cause-driven storytelling style. To capture this story in a unique way, the novel spans nearly a century as readers are taken back to the 1920’s and then return to present day in an international thriller. It also pushes readers further into the worlds of child slavery, poverty, and the darkness of secrets.

(Back Cover) Jake Harris’ life hasn’t turned out the way he planned. Battling his addictions, and the shattered pieces of his family, he is hired to ghostwrite a memoir. From the 1920’s story of a controversial evangelist to the present day mystery of a former District Attorney, everything changes when his search for the truth leads to an atrocity hidden from history. With a past he can’t remember, he begins to discover that he is not the person he believed himself to be. Rather, he is a threat to a secret society that has remained in the shadows for nearly a century. Jake is drawn deep inside a world he never knew existed that brings him closer to his own extraordinary destiny.

I’m humbled that the Guardian Novels and the cause-driven storytelling style have garnered the attention of Hollywood’s elite, including Peter Anderson, Oscar-winning cinematographer, who described it as“a captivating visual story with a colorful narrative” and “hard to put down” and Judith McCreary, Co-Executive Producer, Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, and CSI who said, “The Disillusioned is a fast-paced mystery…you won’t put it down until you’ve unlocked the secrets and lies to find the truth.”

What has been the feedback on your writings?

A few of the words shared in reviews have been: spellbinding, relevant, powerhouse, epic, gripping, page-turning, action-packed, mysterious, suspenseful. But I think one of my favorite quotes is, “Be prepared to say ‘Wow’ again and again.”

Here are several more reviews:

• “An engrossing tale…makes you think about the world we live in and your place in it.”Tony Guerrero, Founder of F.A.C.T. Alliance: Fight Against Child Trafficking (The Disillusioned)
• “A real roller-coaster of a read…powerful, well written…a thought-provoking novel full of topical issues that, as well as wonderfully compelling reading for the individual, will make superb reading and prompt much discussion for reader groups.”Tracy Terry, Book Reviewer (The Disillusioned)
• “The Disillusioned pulls its reader headlong into the adventure and achieves an entertaining story of life, love, faith, and both the strength and fragility of the human spirit.” Casee Marie, Literary Inklings
• “Waking Lazarus is an action thriller with guts and killer instincts. Readers will enjoy the action in the novel as Jake searches for answers and redemption. But this is only the start of the war. The end leaves readers hanging off a cliff, waiting for the battle to really begin.” The Coffee Pot Review
• “Loved this book. Was full of mystery, twists and turns and surprises! Would love to see it as a movie…Wow!” Amazon Review (Waking Lazarus)
• “Gripping storyline. Characters that captured my heart. And best of all it’s fiction that has real-life substance as it addresses the crisis of child slavery and human trafficking. Highly recommended.” Amazon Review (Waking Lazarus)

Any other upcoming works you can mention?

I’ve finished writing my next novel and it’s currently making the rounds at NY publishing houses. Publication is always a process after the manuscript is written. Proposals. Pitching. Promotion. And the story is also making the rounds at various Hollywood studios and production companies for possible optioning for TV or film. I’m so excited to release this one to the world, but for now, the title and story are being kept under wraps.

In addition to being an author, I understand you are a director and producer. Please tell us a little of that journey and what projects you have done (or at least your notable ones).

You might say the publishing and TV worlds are similar as you go from developing an idea or story to seeing it come alive on the page or screen. I’ve always enjoyed the creative process, as well as being in the trenches when we’re in production. But it’s a hard road. You have to constantly be hustling while remaining patient for the right opportunities. I’ve been fortunate to have produced and directed over 400 episodes of unscripted television, with my most noted show being The Restoration Road with Mitch Kruse which is syndicated worldwide.

Do you have aspirations to be invoked in other aspects of film and television in the future? If so, what?

In the last few years, I’ve found myself drawn into creating and writing several pilots for procedural and serialized one-hour dramas for television. As with most projects in the industry, those are being pitched to various networks, studios, and production companies. It’s been a fun process that I’ve really enjoyed. I’d love to write a feature film one day, which is an entirely different beast. There is a story I’m developing that I believe can go the distance. But it’s a difficult process to write a script that will capture the attention of Hollywood’s gatekeepers.

What is one topic you would like to study in greater detail that you have not been able to at present?

Day Trading.

In ten years, where do you see yourself in terms of your goals/dreams?

Chasing stories — whether it be through novels, television, or film — and writing by the beach!

While D.J. may not be a household name at this point in his career, his attention to intriguing detail and consummate storytelling combined with his eagerness to make a positive difference in this world are attributes which have set him apart from the maddening crowd. His true measure of success is not as much about profitable monetary gain (which is essential, of course), but it is more about relating his stories and making people aware of the diverse universal issues and concerns that may otherwise go unnoticed by the public at large. His determination is continuing to open up doors to the furtherance of matters about which he is passionate, and in that case, there is no doubt that he is enjoying authentic success. I hope that everyone will consider checking out all his links below and following him where applicable so that we all may partner together to make this world a better place for everyone who shares this celestial sphere with us.

FOLLOW D.J.

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Spread the love

Tweet