Meet Joshua Thomas Bray

STORIES & INSIGHTS

DECEMBER 11, 2023

We were lucky to catch up with Joshua Thomas Bray recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Joshua Thomas thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

Yes, there’s a part of me that wishes I could have avoided the pain and trauma by starting my creative career sooner. However, no, I wouldn’t change the timing of my journey. The experiences I’ve had, as challenging as they were, have profoundly shaped my story and its impact. Without them, the depth and authenticity that I bring to my work wouldn’t be as rich or impactful. The journey, with all its ups and downs, has been essential in creating the unique narratives that I share with my audience.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

It’s a pleasure to introduce myself to your readers. I’m Joshua Thomas Bray, a Writer and U.S. Air Force veteran. My creative journey was kindled in the colorful and imaginative eras of the 80s and 90s, further fueled by my creation of a character in 2001 while singing in a progressive metal band in San Antonio, TX that led eventually to my first novel, “Landon Brary and The Land of Nod,” published in 2015.

My military service, including a decade of active duty and my experiences in Iraq, deeply impacted me. These experiences, both challenging and transformative, have been a driving force in my healing and artistic journey. Utilizing the power of art and imagination, I’ve used these experiences to create narratives that resonate with a wide audience.

Currently, I’m concluding my studies at Ringling College of Art and Design, set to graduate with a BFA in 2024. This educational journey has significantly enhanced my understanding and craft in writing and storytelling.

As for my work, I focus on creating imaginative stories that offer an escape to entertainment and a sense of connection. My goal is to engage readers with narratives that are not just captivating but also provide a window into the human experience, particularly the aspects of healing and growth.

What sets me apart is my unique blend of life experiences, from my military background to my artistic endeavors and education, all contributing to a distinct storytelling style. I’m proud of how these experiences have shaped me and my work, allowing me to offer something truly unique to my readers.

To the world I want to say, whether through my books or other creative works, I aim to inspire, entertain, and provide a source of strength and hope.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my story and my work with your audience.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining moments of my resilience stems from my time in Iraq. Facing combat and being attacked left scars, both physically and emotionally. I remember a harrowing incident as an M-240B Gunner in a HMMV when we were ambushed. In an effort to reposition, our vehicle went over a wadi, causing me to nearly be ejected. The incident left me with physical injuries, such as a spinal injury and a concussion, and also sowed the seeds of PTSD, affecting my mental health, emotions, and sleep with relentless nightmares.

Living with PTSD, memory struggles, and chronic pain became my reality. Suffering in silence was the norm in the Air Force, as mental struggles were often met with stigma and isolation. In the military, there was an unspoken rule about bearing such burdens silently. Many of us, including myself, struggled internally, as the environment often lacked empathy for those grappling with mental health issues. This silent suffering was a heavy load, and it continued to weigh me down even after my honorable discharge following a decade of service. This took a toll on me, leading to depression and a sense of loss after my military career ended. I found myself struggling with every aspect of life, feeling utterly defeated.

Post-military life brought its own set of challenges. The promises of a smooth transition proved hollow. I found myself grappling with financial instability, strained family relationships, and a profound sense of loss. My self-esteem plummeted as I struggled with weight issues, and I grappled with self-loathing and despair. It felt like every pillar of my life – my career, family, self-worth – had crumbled.

At my lowest point, a moment of desperation with a shotgun in hand, I chose life over surrender. I turned to physical fitness as a means to cope, spending hours at the gym to exhaust the despair. This physical exertion became a daily ritual, a form of therapy that provided a temporary respite from the inner chaos. But I needed more than just physical exhaustion; I needed an escape, a way to channel my turmoil creatively.

That’s when I reconnected with a character I had created years ago named, Simon Hush – a frightener with internal struggles much like my own. Writing became my sanctuary, a place to channel my inner turmoil into something creative and meaningful. Crafting “Landon Brary and the Land of Nod” was more than just writing a book; it was a journey of healing, allowing me to process my pain through the lives of my characters. My characters embodied my struggles; their journeys mirrored my own. In crafting a beautiful, imaginative world, I found a contrast to the darkness of my reality. This duality of intense physical training and immersive storytelling became a powerful combination that gradually helped me regain my footing in life.

Over the years, this disciplined practice of physical and creative exertion helped me rebuild myself. It was a slow, often painful climb, but with each step, I found new strength and perspective. Today, I stand on a metaphorical mountain, looking back at the path traversed with a sense of achievement. It’s been challenging, but the view is more beautiful than ever before.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Reflecting on my creative journey, one resource I wish I had discovered earlier is Ringling College of Art and Design. My time at Ringling has been transformative, revealing and guiding the natural writer within me. The college has provided me with an in-depth understanding of the writing process, helping me to refine my techniques, manifest my unique voice, and understand my audience.

Ringling has not just helped me hone my writing skills; it ignited my imagination and passion for writing even more so. Every classroom I step into gifts me with new and priceless insights, a stimulating experience that makes me feel more alive and excited about the future. While I sometimes wish I had embarked on this educational journey sooner, I am immensely grateful for the opportunities and learning that Ringling has provided. The experience has been invaluable, opening doors and enhancing my craft in ways I had never imagined.