Sandra Jones is the kind of storyteller who writes from the heart because she’s lived it. Her journey from novelist to screenwriter wasn’t about chasing Hollywood. It was about honoring a calling that kept showing up, louder each time. You can feel the weight of her experiences in every scene she writes, and that honesty is what makes her voice unforgettable. This is Sandra Jones…
Q: How did you stumble upon screenwriting?
Growing up as an only child I was an avid reader. I’ve had a love for literature all of my life. Reading offered an escape for me that I needed during that time of my life. In 2002, I started writing novels. A filmmaker read one of my novels and called me one day and told me he wanted to teach me to write screenplays. From there, my love of creating screenplays evolved and I discovered an entirely new side of my writing talent.
Q: Who/what inspired you into taking this path?
I believe my greatest inspiration for taking this path would be my children. I wanted to show them no matter how impossible something seems you can achieve any goal or aspiration if you put your mind to it.
Q: Who was the first person who believed in you?
I have a great deal of encouragement along the way. The first person that stands out is one of my English teachers in the ninth grade. We were given an assignment for writing a short story. She praised my work and told the entire class it was the best short story she had ever read in all of her years of teaching. I believe this was the first time I realized I may be onto something. Around 2002, I took an aptitude test for a writing course. When I received the results they told me I didn’t need their course. I needed to keep writing and to find an agent. Another person who showed a lot of support was filmmaker Brett Hudson, I believe I met him around 2005. I had written a novel about the Salem Witch Trials and he wanted to teach me how to write a screenplay.
Q: When was the moment you knew you wanted to be a screenwriter?
Writing screenplays and novels are two entirely different beasts. It’s like switching gears in your mind. At first it was a bit of a challenge but now it’s the greatest thing for me creatively.
Q: How do you define success for yourself?
Success for me is defined the moment someone reads my work and they come to me and tell me how it touched their life or spoke to their heart or it moved them in some way. That is the goal. To create something that leaves a mark.
Q: Give us a typical day in your life.
Writing is the center of my life. Writers are supposed to write what they know. I’ve known a lot of pain and also a lot of joy and happiness. My husband was almost killed in a motorcycle accident almost a year ago. Everyday since then is a gift. Its interesting how a tragedy can make you see things so different. I have three of the cutest dogs that curl up at my feet while I’m writing. I do a lot of mediation and positive affirmations. I am a firm believer in your thoughts creating your reality. So I always try to keep a positive mindset. My husband Stephen, is literally a walking miracle and just seeing his smile and hearing his laughter every day after surviving such a horrific event inspires me that anything is possible.
Q: How do you define a successful day?
A successful day for me is when I’m writing and I’m stuck in the tar pits as I call it with a particular scene and I come out of it, its the most exhilarating feeling. Also when I am able to take something small from a previous scene and use it to tie the story together is an aspect that is magical to me.
Q: What’s been the most important skill you’ve developed on your path to screenwriting?
My most important skill I believe would be character development. I love digging deep and figuring out who this character really is, what makes them tick, what makes them laugh, what is their history and where are they going. Sometimes I have no idea how the story is going to end, and then the magic happens and I have it and its the most thrilling part of what I do.
Q: What’s been the greatest reward in the choices you’ve made?
For me, its when someone comes to me after they have read my work and it resonates.
Q: What do you want to learn from a community of your peers?
There is a lot we can learn from each other. I believe we learn the most from our mistakes. Just hearing the stories and their path to success is always inspiring.
Q: What is your Instagram and Social Handles so that people can find you?
I recently started a YouTube Channel called The Novel Approach where I share inspirational messages from my work. I am also on Facebook under Sandra Jones.
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