This week YA Author Jonathan Starrett took over our Twitter as a part of our weekly Thursday Twitter Takeover. Jonathan Starrett is the author of The Architect (See YEM’s write up of Jonathan Starrett here.) See highlights from the takeover below.
Hey! It’s Jonathan (👉🏻@jonathnstarrett ) author and illustrator of #TheArchitect HONORED to be your host tonight for the #YAAuthorTakeover Let’s. Have. Some. Fun! pic.twitter.com/A0TaSZgYUZ
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
#allaboutfirsts #TheArchitect is my debut. BY FAR thee hardest part of writing this book was pushing through feeling like an impostor every day of writing and publishing. It’s not supposed to be easy…. Push through anyway! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/QKSgNOTcwI
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
#allaboutfirsts #TheArchitec is my 1st book but my first officially official work of fiction was a little piece called Bobby Bunny. A “self published” book I made with my mom when I was 8. My mom is amazing like that #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/HBnltHxsPy
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
When I was a kid, everything was full of wonder … like a can of Dr. Pepper could make my day. Can you relate? I strive to keep the wonder in my writing and drawing that made me love it as a kid #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/zzRPHxlP0F
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
I originally wrote #TheArchitect as a play! When it was over, I didn’t want it to end. I felt there was so much more to explore with the characters in this world #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/GiqglzoiAV
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
I started to make #TheArchitect a comic book too… and realized it is QUITE a LOT of drawing. Maybe some day I’ll finish! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/30inzP6gJ0
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
Along the twisty turning journey of this story’s creative process I also made #TheArchitect as an independent movie with my very talented friends @gfcflorida … some of the most fun I have ever had on a creative project!! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/V1vqUk5ekh
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
During lockdown in 2020, I re-imagined The Architect as a mystery novel. I felt it was a really great fit for the story and had the honor of publishing with @tyndalehouse #YAAuthorTakeover
Here’s the full creative timeline of the story👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/7Buk1qxNIE— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
#TheArchitect has been in my head for eight years, but starting from the day I sat down to write the book, it took 4 months to write roughly 46,000 words while maintaining a full time job and being a husband and father of two #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/OPwSqxsMlg
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
I adore the mood, aesthetics, and characters in all of these movies. They each take me to a very particular time and place which is one of the most powerful effects stories can have!
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
Music to listen to while reading #THEARCHITECT: Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Panic by @CaravanPalace, and the entire #cuphead soundtrack. pic.twitter.com/91Uh7BXFHT
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
Writing from your feelings is wonderful, but that works for me maybe one day out of twenty. The rest is in spite of my feelings. #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/RXUPdEvdtW
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
When I’m not feeling my writing, I have learned to write anyway, then walk away and come back. I find I usually like 90% of what I write and only need to tweak 10%. @jonathnstarrett #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/ByMS079Y4W
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
Writing when you don’t feel like it is the only way to finish. @jonathnstarrett #YAAuthorTakeover
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
What is #THEARCHITECT about, anyway?!?! It’s a mystery story that springs from my own personal journey of trying to understand God’s intentions. To me God is simultaneously frustrating and totally awe-inspiring. #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/lSUs1nW2qs
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
One theme in #TheArchitect is truth. I sometimes choose what’s easy over what’s true. But too much “easy” over “true” lulls me into a weird cognitive dissonance or sleep walk existence. The book is a reminder truth is worth the trouble even when it’s hard. #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/d8eeLTsLqC
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
Some of my favorites: @jk_rowling Wizarding World, @roald_dahl Chocolate Factory, @JRRTolkien Middle Earth… and the world of Dick Tracy (such an underrated movie!) pic.twitter.com/gMGO5VmCgo
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
Inviting other people into story to ask questions about the way the world of #THEARCHITECT would work was essential for me. It helped fill many gaps and provide the background to ensure the story was satisfying. #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/3ogRU69UHL
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
Let’s talk #characterdevelopment … #THEARCHITECT is a fantasy story but the gravity and texture of the characters was crucial for me to get right. Allow me to introduce you to Claud Von Claude, a crimefighting vigilante with a very dark secret #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/aDfaV6xYlK
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
#characterdesign Charlie is a character with the superpower of curiosity… which is a real superpower we all have but only sometimes hold onto! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/9Itcy6oTCL
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
#characterdesign Sneed, on the other hand, enters the story in a prison of his own comfort. Sneed’s fear and Charlie’s curiosity are inspired by the two sides of my brain! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/3vNVL73KlX
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
Lots of books have taught me character, plot, and the power of words, but the book that made it all come together was Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. The way I felt at the end of that book convinced me to be a writer. Have you read it?! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/zl0kGoyBPq
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
The story of #TheArchitect is just getting started. Secrets are tucked into every corner of the first book, and I can’t wait to unravel them in future stories! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/D80CnYjFM4
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
HEY WRITERS! You were created to create. So create something. Anything! And don’t stop till it’s finished! Then invite the rest of us into the world in your head. We want to see it! #YAAuthorTakeover
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
Thanks for having me tonight for this #YAAuthorTakeover. I had a blast! Step into the world in my head. Pick up The Architect … it’s out now! You can get it here 👉🏻https://t.co/phmcbSVqzl and follow me @jonathnstarrett
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 17, 2023
