Step into a world of heartfelt storytelling with John Anthony, whose pen weaves nostalgic tales that resonate with the GenX generation. As an author, John Anthony captures the magic of growing up in the 70s and 80s, transporting readers back to cherished moments that defined an era.
Drawing inspiration from a lifetime of movie-watching and personal experiences, John Anthony’s literary journey celebrates the joys, trials, and triumphs of the GenX era. Their works embrace the spirit of nostalgia, exploring the profound connections between pop culture, movies, music, and the indelible memories that shaped their own life journey.
With a heartfelt prose that speaks to the soul, John Anthony has penned stories that capture the essence of a generation and ignite the sparks of fond remembrance. From family-style adventures to tales of friendship and resilience, each page turns into a portal that transports readers back to the golden age of their youth.
Beyond the written word, John Anthony shares their passion and insight with an even wider audience through a new upcoming podcast. As the charming host, he delves into the cinematic treasures of the 80s and 90s, sharing personal reflections and insightful musings that resonate with fellow movie lovers and nostalgic hearts alike.
Join John Anthony on a literary and podcast journey that celebrates the power of nostalgia, the magic of movies, and the enduring bonds that define the GenX experience.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: The Journey of Joseph Winter: A Christmas Fairy Tale
How did you come up with your title? The book was originally written as a short story for my family back in 2002, right after my first nephew was born. I bound it myself—horribly, mind you…I’m not very good at crafts—and gave a copy to each of them as a Christmas gift. At the time it was written in first person as a diary, and it was simply entitled, The Journal of Joseph Winter, with Joseph detailing his journey in his own words.
When I came back to the story in 2013 and decided to expand on the idea, it was clear the first person narrative wasn’t going to work in the expanded form, so using “Journal” in the title didn’t fit—but “Journey” did. And it gave potential readers an idea of the scope. And I liked the sound of it!
What was your favorite scene in this book? If I had to choose, I’d say the dinner scene with Max in the dining car. You begin to see Joseph changing, and how much of Max he truly admires. It was a nice little scene to write. I found myself transported into that train car with them both, sitting at the table and witnessing this wonderful interaction. It was really magical writing that.
What in particular made you write this book? As I discuss in the Author’s Message at the end of the book, I wanted to capture the magic of the large family Christmases from my youth. The adults would share stories of the old days, and you could tell that it made them incredibly happy to relive those moments, and remember those that were no longer with us. That’s what I wanted to capture.
Do you have a favorite character and why? It’s probably no surprise that I felt the strongest connection with Max. Most people I have heard from have the same reaction. All the characters are me, in some way, so it’s hard to pick a favorite. But Max is the one I couldn’t get out of my head during the creative process while expanding the story.
You might be surprised to know that Max didn’t exist in the first draft. He grew out of the expanded story. I think he’s the one who, deep down in my soul, pulled me back to the story and told me it wasn’t finished.
What are you currently working on for your next book? Novel number two is well underway, and I’m expecting it to be complete in Spring 2016. I’ll be ready to discuss more about it soon, but for now I’ll just say this—I grew up in the 70’s, and I would love to be able to go back and visit that time through the eyes of a child. The innocence of childhood, and those moments in our lives that help to shape us into the adults we become. Those are powerful things.