My name is James Jones. I’m a retired United States Marine, a Toastmaster, a storyteller, a poet, a constable, and the creator of several storytelling and community outreach projects based here in South Carolina.
A lot of people know me through my dramatic storytelling videos, motivational content, and community work. I create stories that range from suspense and emotional drama to humorous life lessons and inspirational messages. Some are fictional. Some are inspired by real life. But almost all of them are centered around people, choices, pain, redemption, and hope.
At the core of everything I create is one goal: I want people to feel something.
What inspired you to begin this project? Did something specific spark the idea?
What inspired me to begin this project was honestly life itself. Growing up, serving in the Marines, raising children, mentoring young people, seeing hardship in communities, and meeting people from all walks of life gave me stories I couldn’t ignore. Storytelling became a way to connect with people emotionally while also leaving them with a lesson they could carry into their own lives.
I also realized that many people are struggling silently. Sometimes humor helps them breathe. Sometimes suspense keeps them engaged long enough to hear a message they needed. Sometimes a story can reach somebody in a way a lecture never could.
Who are your stories for, and what do you hope readers takes away from them?
My stories are for everyday people. For the person trying to heal. For the kid searching for confidence. For the parent carrying stress. For the person who feels unseen. I want audiences to walk away entertained, but also encouraged to think deeper about life, choices, compassion, and resilience.
What role does Charleston or South Carolina play in your storytelling, if any?
Charleston and South Carolina absolutely play a role in my storytelling. The Lowcountry has history, beauty, pain, mystery, culture, and soul. There’s something powerful about this area — from the marshes to the small towns to the untold stories hidden in communities. A lot of my inspiration comes directly from the people here and the atmosphere of South Carolina itself.
Do you have any local heroes?
My local heroes are the quiet people doing good work without asking for recognition — mentors, teachers, veterans, first responders, single parents, volunteers, and community leaders trying to make a difference. I’m also deeply inspired by people who overcame difficult beginnings and still found ways to uplift others.
What’s your favorite independent bookstore or literary hangout in the Lowcountry?
One of my favorite literary hangouts is honestly anywhere people gather to share ideas, stories, and creativity. Charleston has a strong creative spirit, and I enjoy being connected to people who value expression and authenticity.
How do you stay connected to the local arts or writing scene?
I stay connected to the local arts and writing scene mainly through community involvement, social media, Toastmasters, networking, and supporting other creators. I’ve learned that creativity grows best when people encourage each other instead of competing against one another.
What advice would you give to emerging creators?
My advice to emerging creators is simple: start before you feel ready. Don’t wait for perfect equipment, perfect timing, or perfect confidence. Consistency matters more than perfection. Also, create from a real place. Audiences can tell when something comes from the heart.
What other creative projects are you working on? Do you have any upcoming readings, launches, or events?
Right now, I’m working on several storytelling projects, including dramatic visual stories, motivational content, community-focused projects, humorous stories, and my true-crime style series, Charleston Cold Case Chronicles. I’m also heavily involved in community outreach through the Hopeful Hearts Feeding Initiative.
I also continue to grow as a public speaker through Toastmasters, where storytelling has helped shape my voice and confidence as a communicator.
If your work were turned into a an audiobook or film, who would narrate?
If my work were turned into an audiobook or film, I’d honestly love a narrator with a strong storytelling presence like Peter Thomas from Forensic Files. His voice had gravity, emotion, and suspense without needing theatrics.
What’s a book you always recommend to others?
One book I always recommend is The Other Woman. That book pulled me in because of the emotion, the relationship dynamics, the suspense, and the way Eric Jerome Dickey knew how to make characters feel real and human. His storytelling style showed me how powerful emotionally driven stories can be when they’re written with honesty and intensity.
If you could meet any author (living or dead), who would it be and why?
If I could meet any author, living or dead, it would definitely be Eric Jerome Dickey. The way he blended drama, emotion, relationships, tension, and realism into his writing was incredible. His books didn’t just entertain people — they made readers feel connected to the characters and invested in their journeys. As a storyteller myself, I have a lot of respect for authors who can emotionally pull people into a story the way he did.
Most importantly, I hope people remember me as someone who used stories to bring people together, make people think, and remind others that their voice matters.
Follow James Jones on Facebook or TikTok, or listen to his podcast, Charleston Cold Case Chronicles.
