Social Impact Authors: How & Why Damon Thompson Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Edward Sylvan
I aim to encourage more teens and young adults to read more and unlock their imagination. Through reading my book, readers can learn to walk by faith and not by sight. In my book, I have dropped crumbs dropped crumbles of encouragement to dream big and to trust the journey that your passion drives. I explain how meditation can alleviate the daily stress of the world and can be a reset button to start fresh. Also just alone with the cover, I was very conscious of making the representation a powerful image that will grasp the attention of readers. Empowering young adults through reading is vital towards sparking their minds towards positive change.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Damon Thompson.
Damon Thompson was born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina. He earned a BS in Human Services at The University of South Carolina at Beaufort, and an MS in Human Services at Capella University. After starting his professional career at Robert Smalls Middle School where he served as a behavioral intervention specialist, he now works with youth and their families to provide multi-systemic therapy.
From a young age, Damon loved to create characters and bring them to life. After the birth of his second daughter, he decided to put his creative thoughts into action and begin writing his first novel, which was published in 2019. In his spare time, Damon enjoys listening to music from jazz to hip-hop. He also has a passion for the outdoors and nature, as it inspires him to write. He currently resides in North Carolina with his wife and two daughters.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
Sure, I am the youngest of two children. I grew up in a single-parent home along with my brother. My mother worked long hours as a restaurant manager as far as I could remember. My parents separated when I was eight months old. I never met my father face to face. Growing up in Beaufort South Carolina, I was surrounded by my family who played a major role in my childhood development by making sure my needs were met while my mother worked. I can remember my mother waking my brother and I up at 4:00 am to climb across a fence to our auntie’s apartment where my older cousins would care for us while our mothers worked at Burger King. As a young child, I was an introvert that valued time alone to play with my toys. I can remember playing with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Playing with toys alone enabled me to create a world outside of our mobile home. My entire family flirted with poverty but growing up it seemed like the norm because all our needs were met. My childhood was full of excitement, thanks to my village stepping in and picking up where my mother could not have, due to her working.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
Yes, I was always intrigued by the stories in the Bible. I was fascinated by how characters in the Bible were described as warriors or superheroes. The story of David and Goliath stood out to me. I also was also intrigued by Greek Mythology stories that I read in school. I really enjoyed reading The Odyssey in Mrs. Stewart’s 7th-grade class. Many of the Greek Mythology stories allowed me to dream big and think outside of the box.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or take away did you learn from that?
Sure, when I completed my first novel, I was so excited to share it with the world. When it was ready to print, I ordered 1,000 copies without doing research on what genre I would like to pursue, or a base audience. Let’s just say, I learned a valuable lesson. Do not bite off more than you can chew. I learned to be patient, develop a core base or the left wall of your garage will be neatly stacked with boxes of books.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
I aim to encourage more teens and young adults to read more and unlock their imagination. Through reading my book, readers can learn to walk by faith and not by sight. In my book, I have dropped crumbs dropped crumbles of encouragement to dream big and to trust the journey that your passion drives. I explain how meditation can alleviate the daily stress of the world and can be a reset button to start fresh. Also just alone with the cover, I was very conscious of making the representation a powerful image that will grasp the attention of readers. Empowering young adults through reading is vital towards sparking their minds towards positive change.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
The most interesting story I share in my book is when the character Night loses his sight, and it forces him to trust his other gifts to maneuver in the world. He has a twin that feels sorry for him, but Night is walking by his faith and embracing his struggles.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
It is just the feeling I feel when I’m writing or doing something I love. As a child I always woke up early, I’m talking three am in the morning. I never understood it until I started my first book. That moment came when I found my creative juices and the words started flowing. I looked at my watch and it was around 3:33 am. It was then I realized I must share what I love doing with the world and faith must be at the base or the foundation of my message.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Yes, a family member once asked me,” How do I find my passion,”.” I explained to him that he really must find something he loves doing. Identify your gifts, look deep inside, and pulled that spark that is buried under all societal demands. Rescue that spark, ignite it, and inspire others. Then you will never work a day in your life. Since then that person has followed his dreams and is doing what he loves.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Yes, they can provide more opportunities for kids to express themselves so they too can identify their gifts and talents. These opportunities can be in the form of a quality education that teaches them their past, presence, and future. Funding will be a tool that is needed to shape or next leaders. We must pull together and be on one accord so politicians can value our power and align with the people's demands.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is a characteristic that most leaders display for the greater cause of their people of organization. Being a leader to me means that you have followers that depend on you to deliver or guide them to their destination. Sometimes leadership requires leaders to must sacrifice their wants so their followers can reach their full potential.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- It is not going to be easy. It will take hours of dedication and you must find time to work on your craft.
- I wish someone would have told me that I would have to distance myself from close friends and family if their values are not aligned with my goals, which will be extremely challenging.
- I wish someone would have told me that I would fail, but it is how you get back up. I was never told that I would have to be resilient. Failing is part of the process to achieving long-term goals.
- I wish someone would have told me and taught me how to save my money and the value of a dollar. Developing a book and financing it yourself can be extremely costly if you do not have a budget.
- Finally, I wish someone would have told me that my vision is for me. You cannot expect everyone to see or support your dreams or vision. Most of the time, they will not believe it until it happens or if you are placed on a large platform where notable sources are recognized.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite “Life Lesson Quote is “Find something you love doing and you will never work a day in your life.” This quote is relevant to me in my life because I value doing what I love to do, which is writing. I truly have found my passion and it has allowed me to create and inspire others to do the same. It also allows me to bet and invest on myself. This quote has taught me not to settle for societal demands or follow the norm of working a standard 9 to 5 job just to pay bills. I am speaking it into existence that I will become a full-time author. That is the power of this quote.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Yes, I would love to meet Oprah Winfrey and have breakfast with her to discuss how she believed in herself and remain persistent when others did not see her vision.. and Paulo Coelho.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can follow my work at www.damonthompsonbooks.com They can also follow me on Facebook @dmtbookz
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
