For years, I followed a predictable routine—waking early, commuting, working, and repeating. It was the American Dream, built on hard work, yet something felt missing. But everything changed in early 2024.
One morning, after gymnastics, my wife and daughter were in a near-fatal car accident when another driver mistakenly hit the gas instead of the brake. The call still haunts me. My daughter suffered a broken leg and fractured arm, but thanks to proper car seat usage, her injuries weren't worse. My wife's injuries were severe—multiple surgeries, months in a wheelchair, and grueling physical therapy. During that time, I stepped away from work, compounding the stress of an already overwhelming situation.
As the world felt increasingly chaotic, we realized how lucky we were. Yet, we had been living as if we had endless time, stuck in routines that lacked meaning. So, we made a decision that everyone thought was crazy. We sold everything—our home, possessions, and the life we had built—to seek something new. With no set destination, we began traveling as a family, not just searching for a new home but for a new way of life.
During our journey, I rediscovered my love for art, sketching our travels and writing reflections. Over time, these sketches and notes became short stories, then deeper narratives. I wrote down old memories, blending them with imagined worlds, until I realized I wasn't just recording thoughts—I was creating something new. Writing became more than an outlet; it became a passion. I wanted to tell a story of someone misunderstood, facing adversity, struggling, yet pushing forward. I wanted a story as complicated as life itself—entertaining, raw, and relatable.
Between airports, train rides, and moving every few weeks, all those fragments came together to form Shadows & Secrets. Writing while constantly on the move was a challenge, but finishing that book was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
That journey didn't end with one book. Seeing readers connect with Shadows & Secrets deepened my purpose. Now, as I continue traveling with my incredible family, I'm already working on my second book and drafting my third. Most days, I'm sketching, writing, or cooking after a day of exploring. And hopefully, you'll pick up my books and find them just as entertaining and thought-provoking as I intended them to be.
dashboard
Series
The Outsiders Club
|
Come As You Are is part of The Outsiders' Club series—a collection of books designed to help kids face adversity, embrace who they are, and find strength in their community.
In this story, Jax loves to skate, but his worn-out board makes him feel like he'll never measure up. When his friends start showing off their brand-new gear, he begins to doubt himself. Should he even enter the upcoming skate competition? With the support of his crew—Ember, Nico, Zadie, and Ollie—Jax learns that self-worth isn't about what you have, but who you are.
🔥 A bold, punk-inspired story about friendship, self-acceptance, and resilience. 🔥
📖 Themes: Overcoming challenges, financial struggles, and staying true to yourself
🛹 For fans of: Roller Girl, The First Rule of Punk, and The Misfits
🎨 Aesthetic: 90s punk/skater, DIY rebellion, and raw creativity
Because sometimes, the toughest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves.
Title : Come As You Are
EAN : 9798230968832
Publisher : Jarrod Guyer
Age, from : 6 years
The eBook Come As You Are is in ePub format
If you want to read on an e-reader from a different brand, check out our guide.
It may not be available for sale in your country, but exclusively for sale from an account domiciled in France.
If the redirection does not happen automatically, click on this link.
Log in
My account