Author J.A. Forde never imagined herself writing books—until she fell in love with indie authorship from the inside out. What started as a love of reading during the pandemic quickly turned into something more: beta reading, bookstagramming, and eventually… writing her own fiction.

In this interview on the Project Seed Money Podcast, J.A. shares the relatable, often messy process of moving from reader to writer. It all began, she explains, when she joined the bookish side of Instagram and became involved with independent authors’ ARC (advanced reader copy) and beta teams. Being a part of other authors’ behind-the-scenes processes sparked a thought: “What if I tried to write something of my own?”

That wild idea turned into her first novel, On the Flight to Sydney, followed by On the Slopes of Tahoe—and now a third is in the works.

“I didn’t start with pressure. I didn’t know if anyone would ever read it. I just started writing—and I loved it.” — J.A. Forde

J.A. talks openly about imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the emotional whiplash of writing something that one day feels brilliant and the next day feels like “trash.” But what has kept her going is the joy of creating and the community she’s found along the way.

She emphasizes how vital her online writing friendships have been—especially when she needed someone to talk her off the ledge after a bad review or a tough writing day. “My husband jokes that I trust internet strangers too much,” she laughs, “but some of them have become my best friends—and my daily support system.”

In this episode, J.A. also talks about the emotional difference between writing her first and second book. With her debut, she felt freer to experiment. But with a growing fanbase, the second book brought more pressure: “I wanted to make it perfect. I didn’t want to let anyone down.”

Despite that pressure, J.A. continues to trust the writing process, leaning into the phrase: you can’t edit a blank page. She encourages new writers to let themselves write messy drafts, explore new stories, and even walk away from manuscripts that don’t feel right—just like she did before writing Sydney.

“If you’re not having fun with it, maybe it’s not the right story or the right time. Writing should bring you joy.” — J.A. Forde

J.A. reminds aspiring authors that your first book doesn’t have to be the book. Sometimes, the project that launches your writing life isn’t the one you originally thought it would be—and that’s okay.

Toward the end of the episode, she offers heartfelt encouragement to writers who feel frozen or intimidated. Her advice? Set goals that feel doable, release the pressure of perfection, and don’t be afraid to pivot. “Write something. Anything. And know that you don’t have to do it alone.”