In this photo: Motivational postcards by Katie Abey.
Over on Twitter, I really enjoy posting inspirational tweets in the hopes that it encourages someone and brightens their day. After posting one particular tweet, I was messaged by Jay Mullings, author of The Thought Book 2, suggesting that if I like these kinda things, I should check out his book. Being the impulsive kinda girl that I am, I did, and a short while later I had my very own personalized copy in my hands.
As well as being the author of The Thought Book series, Jay is a blogger and screenwriter (winning 25+ awards internationally) and with a 2019 novel in the pipeline, it seems he always has an exciting & creative project on the go. Jay has written many philosophical quotes, poetry, travel related articles, sports analysis and music interviews. I was excited to read his book and hear some of the wisdom he had to share.
You can read more about Jay and his creative projects over at The Written Mirror and on social media: Twitter / Instagram / Facebook.
Even though it seems like Jay is a busy guy, he still made time to write a personalized note inside my book in my favourite colour, PINK! I was really touched by the sweet and thoughtful message. The book itself is packed full of inspirational thoughts designed to inspire, motivate and lift your spirits. I love that you can just open up a page at random and read something positive on topics like growth, self-belief, confidence, individuality, perseverance, overcoming obstacles and reaching your full potential. As this is exactly my kinda book, I thought it would be cool to add in a little interview with the man himself.
Questions for Jay:
Hi Jay, Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, I really appreciate it. So my first question is: describe yourself in 3 words.
Enigmatic, Truthful and Creative.
What has been your proudest achievement so far?
Wow, I’m like Ryu in Street Fighter; as soon as one challenge is complete I begin setting the next one. Hard to choose, but I guess it would be winning The Barcelona Film Festival in three consecutive years for three completely different screenplays. Tree House (Coming of Age TV Drama), Feminunity (Feature Length Film) and The Boys Are Back (British Comedy).
Wowzers, those are some pretty big achievements. If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be? If it was made into a film, who would play you?
Truthful Fearless Creativity – Denzel is getting a little old and I’m more handsome than Idris (just playing). Truthfully I like a few actors the most suitable would probably be Daniel Kaluuya I think he would be able to put himself in my shoes a bit better. Although John Boyega would most likely mirror my accent the best.
Hopefully I’ll be reviewing a copy of Truthful Fearless Creativity in the future. Describe your perfect day?
Haha well it starts at night and stays dark until I say when! Seriously though, I’d say warm with a gentle breeze for the weather. No traffic, not a single red light on my journey. Free parking, deserted tennis courts and my first serve working. Come home to my place tidy as ever, curry goat and rice for dinner. Strawberry cheesecake for dessert, some PS4 games I wasn’t expecting on the store for free! 12 year old Single malt whiskey on my wind down and a decent movie with sweet and salt popcorn. How’s that? Okay I’m not done, 3 hours of crystal clear writing and a neck and shoulder massage with some sweet reggae music in the background. PERFECT!
STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE. Yes please! A massage with reggae music sounds proper chilled, I like your style. This sounds like an awesome day! If you could invite any famous person around for dinner, who would it be and what would you cook them?
First of all why must I cook? It’s my dream coming true so dammit they better not come empty handed! My first answer would be Bob Marley! I don’t know what exactly he eats but we’d work it out. If it’s someone alive, I’m going with Missy Misdemeanour Elliot and she gets whatever she likes to eat no problem!
Ha ha! Good answer, maybe you and Bob could get a takeaway! What advice would you give to others out there who are thinking of writing a book but don’t know where to start?
Jump off the cliff and worry about landing later. Honestly, you can paralyse your own growth by not taking the bull by the horns so to speak. Start writing, start thinking about form and when it’s good enough; then you worry about publishing, agents, so on and so forth. Get on with writing and start teaching fear to obey your commands, if you let it grow it will never let you go…
Great advice! As you are also a blogger, can you share any tips on how to stay motivated and inspired? What do you do when you are feeling stuck for new ideas?
Yeah sure read my blog! Ha! Staying motivated is less about force and more about observation. Learn the depths of your own thoughts and feelings. It will tell when you can press forward at max power and when to nurse it through. No one is 100% on all the time but you can still be productive if you understand how to channel these feelings. The second part of your question; I can’t relate I’m never stuck for ideas. Not even joking I almost have too many at once. Books, Screenplays, Blogs, Clothing, Films etc. If I was to run out of ideas I would go back to the beginning of my old ones and flesh them out more or write the counter to them.
Sounds like there is always something exciting happening! And finally, if you could tempt people to read your book by sharing just one thought from The Thought Book 2, which one would it be?
Ha! You do like to ask these tough questions. There are so many good thoughts and perspectives in The Thought Book 2 and instead I think what would be nice is for you as a reader Bexa to do the honours. Is that cheating? I don’t think so! On a serious level, I wrote it with the people that are reading it in mind. It’s less about ME and so much more about YOU! Those thoughts helped ME but what really would swell my heart, is if they somehow helped YOU! That’s why I give a unique inscription and page dedication to every book I sign. People have said I have an almost psychic level ability to pick ones that mean something to them.
I hope this helps Bexa! Can I just say thank you for extending the courtesy of inviting my onto your blog and also for your kind support. This blogging community is really amazing and it is even richer for having a beautiful soul like you aboard! Keep up the great work and thanks again!
Thank you so much Jay! Of course, there are so many thoughts I love, but this one is my favourite:
If are impulsive like me, you can grab yourself a copy of The Thought Book 2 right now by clicking here. Don’t forget to check out The Written Mirror and follow Jay on social media: Twitter / Instagram / Facebook to keep up to date with all his latest creative projects.
I love strawberry cheesecake too! Great post and interview 🙂
Author
Thanks so much Rachael! Yay for strawberry cheesecake! 😍 xx
Rachel knows about the power of strawberry cheesecake! HAHA
Awesome interview with a very talented man 👌🏾
Author
Thanks Simone! Glad you enjoyed the post! 💖☺️ xx
Fantastic Interview with an totally awesome guy!
Author
Thanks so much Leah! Glad you enjoyed the post! 💖☺️ xx
I see you Leah! Thank you 🙂
This is a great post and a really great interview! Will have to give this book a read sound really good x
Author
Thanks so much Aaliyah! Glad you enjoyed the post 💖☺️ xx
This post is great, it’s good to get to know Jay too☺️
Sophie
http://www.graphicsbysoph.co.uk
Author
Thanks Sophie! 💖☺️ xx
Wow this is so cool! I found this super interesting to read – and Jay sounds like a wonderful guy too!
http://www.whatevawears.co.uk
Author
Thanks Eva! Glad you enjoyed reading the post! ☺️💖 xx
Hey Eva!
I like this comment thank you for your kind words 🙂 I shall endeavour to be wonderful all the time 😀
Lovely interview Bexa x
Author
Thanks Ellie! ☺️💖 xx
This is such a lovely post and interview, Bexa!😊
I also want to say that I always love your pictures (blog and Instagram)!😍
Xoxo
Shirley | https://shirleycuypers.blogspot.be
Author
Thanks Shirley and thanks for your kind words! 💖☺️ xx
This book sounds amazing! I’m into motivational and inspirational books at the minute so will have to look into this!
Brooke x
http://www.brooke-pearson.co.uk
Author
Thanks so much Brooke! Would definitely recommend the book! 💖☺️ xx
This is a great idea!! I’m all for anything that helps to inspire/motivate people!
Author
Thanks Fi! It’s such a great read! 💖☺️ xx
This was such a cute post! I relate to Jay haha I also always have too many blogging ideas at once! (Your pictures are always so on theme and amazing btw)
Jas xx
Author
Thank you so much Jas! 💖 He he, having too many ideas is always a good thing! Aww thanks for your kind words 😍 xx
I was not aware of The Thought Book Series. I love books that inspire, motivate & lift your spirits. I loved Jay’s thoughts about blogging and getting stuck. Know when to press forward with max power or just nurse it. I will be checking out The Thought Book Series to find my favorite inspirations from Jay.
Author
Thanks so much Debs! I’m glad you liked the interview, Jay gave some really great advice. I’d definitely recommend the books, hope you enjoy them too! 💖☺️ xx
Hey Debbie K!
Love your comment so kind and clearly wise! Haha seriously though I did write TTB with one eye on inspiring people and the other on getting them to write sweet comments like yours!
I’ve never heard of this book but it sounds great! Jay seems so lovely and his suggestion about going back to your original ideas when you’re stuck is such a good tip!
Tori | JustTheBeginning-x.com
Latest Post: BeFries, Brighton
Author
Thanks so much Tori! Jay is a great guy, so glad you enjoyed the post and interview 💖☺️ xx
Hey Tori!
I’ll take lovely, thank you! I hope you have a great evening! If you’re on Twitter come and say hi it’s @writtenmirror
This looks like such a lovely book, it’s always nice to have something nearby to cheer you up or add a bit of positive motivation to your day! Love that you added in an interview with the author too, so neat to learn a bit more behind the people who write the books we like!
Author
Thanks so much Kristin! 💖 Definitely! Always love a bit of positivity. So glad you enjoyed the interview, it was really cool to learn more about Jay outside of the book ☺️💕 xx
Hey Kristin!
I’ve learnt just from your comment that you are a kind and thoughtful person! Thank you for taking the time to read the lovely post Bexa put together.
I love books that put you in a great mood and give you a little bit of motivation when you’re having a bad day/time. Such a colourful post too, love it!
Carly xx
http://www.prettystyleofliving.wordpress.com
Author
Thank you so much Carly! It’s such a great mood booster, I’d definitely recommend. Glad you liked the post! 💖☺️ xx
Jay’s book sounds very motivational 😄. I like inspirational quotes and it’s great you can open a page at random and read some wise words 👌🏻. You did an excellent interview and it was interesting to hear his thoughts on motivation too 😊. A brilliant post Bexa 😄😍💖😘 xxxx
Author
Thanks Shaun! It’s a great book for an inspiration and positivity boost! Glad you enjoyed the post & interview 💖😍☺️😘 xxxx
The world needs more positive motivation and inspiration!
Britt | http://alternativelyspeaking.ca
Author
Definitely! Thanks for checking out the post Britt! 💖☺️ xx
Sounds about right to me Britt K! Have a lovely evening 🙂
Oooh, I love Katie Abey’s stuff! Also, this is a great review and such a brilliant interview. The book sounds great, so congratulations Jay! 😀 Thank you for sharing!
Author
Thanks so much Ruth! Yay for Katie Abey stuff! Glad you enjoyed the post lovely! 💖☺️ xx
It’s good to be impulsive sometimes ;). Wow! Jay is such a big hit! Love that he made an effort to write a personalized note to you. OMG!!! Free parking is the best – haha. I know that would make my day, along with not having to deal with traffic @__@. I like the advice – I mean not literally jump off the cliff but get something going on. I feel like that’s the hardest part in any activity, just starting it. Thanks for sharing this interview, Bexa!!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
Author
Thank you so much Nancy! 💖 He he, yes! Free parking is always such a good thing! I was really touched by the sweet note and glad Jay took the time to answer my questions. Glad you enjoyed the post lovely 💖☺️ xx
Hey Nancy!
Definitely do not physically jump off a cliff! Haha! Traffic sucks so on a perfect day that’s the first thing we had to get rid of lol
Glad you enjoyed the interview 🙂
This is a great post
Author
Thanks Justina! 💖☺️ xx
Fantastic interview, Jay sounds like such an interesting person 🙂 I really love the idea of a personal note in the book 🙂
Author
Thanks so much Esther! The personalised note was a really lovely touch! 💖☺️ xx
So awesome. Love that you got to get your book signed by him and even the chance to interview him. What a great experience!
http://www.fashionradi.com
Author
Thank you so much Radi! I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to interview Jay, glad you enjoyed the post 💖☺️ xx
That’s so sweet you got your own personalised one! Fab post, will have to look into Jay x
Morgan // http://www.justmorgs.com
Author
Thanks so much Morgs! Glad you enjoyed the post, I’d definitely recommend Jay’s books! 💖☺️ xx
Hey Morgs!
If you get one I’ll make sure yours is super personalised too!
This book sounds great! I will definitely check it out. I loved the interview as well
Tish | thesundaydiary.co.uk
Author
Thanks so much Tish! Glad you enjoyed the post! 💖☺️ xx
This book sounds interesting but I love the postcards!! x
Author
Thanks so much Rosie! 💖 xx
Great interview!
I love that his perfect day involves cheesecake!! Can’t go wrong with a good dessert haha.
Tilly knows!!!
Author
Thanks Tilly! I definitely agree, cheesecake is the best! 💖☺️ xx
Oh wow this sounds so amazing!!! Like you, I love an inspirational quote so this book sounds like it’s a must have! Xo
Lozza! What a name love it! There are two of them and I can confirm both are inspirational 😉
Author
Thanks so much Lozza! Gotta love an inspirational quote! Glad you enjoyed the post 💖☺️ xx
Such a great post! Loved reading the interview! Thank you so much for sharing! 💕
Author
Thanks so much Laura! Glad you enjoyed the the post 💖☺️ xx
Great interview, jay seems like an amazing man x
Hey Bailey! Thanks for believing I am amazing haha! I absolutely must aim to keep it up!
Author
Thanks so much Bailey! 💖 xx
Awesome interview! And how cool that Jay Mullings reached out to you! It just shows that when you do great things, people will notice. I can’t wait to get his book.
I’m not that cool but I did reach out lol
I’ll be looking forward to your order 😉 be sure to let me know your favourite colour.
Author
Thanks so much Bea! It was really awesome! So glad you enjoyed the post and hope you like the book! 💖☺️ xx
Great post! Will look for the book!
Author
Thanks Tammy! Hope you enjoy the book! 💖 xx
Really enjoyed reading this post/interview. I’m actually interesting in reading Jay’s book and blog now 💛
Oh and dinner with either Bob Marley and/or Missy Elliott sounds awesome!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes at the very least I know Bob is bringing his guitar and some herbal healing to the dinner party for sure! Missy is such a lovely person that I have no doubt I’d grow just basking in her aura! Oh and she’s probably bringing her dog Ms Fendi Dior with her!
Author
Thanks so much Marcia! 💖 It does sound like a pretty cool dinner party! 😍 Hope you like the book too! xx
Wow, good job, Jay! I love when people from our Twitter community are interviewed, it’s always so interesting to discover the person behind the tweets.
Nice post, Bexa! I’m super jealous of those postcards, too
Author
Thanks so much Kate! 💖 Glad you enjoyed the interview, it was a great opportunity! He he, yay for motivational postcards too 😍 xx
Really enjoyed reading this interview! I will check out the book :).
Bexa did her thing and I was just a goof as always lol
Author
Thanks so much Cat! Hope you enjoy the book! 💖☺️ xx
wow congrats on this great interview! The author seems like a very inspiring person and I love the sound of the book. Love the format of this post, I haven’t seen many like that and it’s so cool! x
https://www.brynnie.com
Author
Thanks so much Brynn! 💖 It was a really enjoyable post to do, so glad you liked it! xx
This book sounds fab! I’m always in need of some motivation so I think I need it in my life. Such a lovely idea to include an interview with the author too I loved reading his answers!
Jess // foundationsandfairytales.wordpress.com
xx
Author
Thanks so much Jess! 💖 So glad you enjoyed the post, Jay is really motivational, I’d definitely recommend his book ☺️ xx
WOW Bexa this post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I was just debating on writing a ebook but had no idea where to start or what to write. Jay’s interview taught me don’t think, just go. The more we analyze an idea the less likely we are to go through with it. I’m so happy to learn more about him, motivational books are always helpful in teaching people how to accomplish their goals metally first.
Natonya | http://www.justnatonya.wordpress.com
Author
That’s so awesome Natonya! 💖 I’m so happy the post came at the right time for you. Thank you for the lovely comment and all the best with the ebook. I can’t wait to read it! 😍💕 xx
Wow I’m definitely happy to see the interview went down well! That and so many of you love CHEESECAKE! Let’s all be friends lmao!
Seriously though thank you again Bexa for being curious enough to pick up a copy of my book and again for inviting me to interview here.
To everyone else, I definitely look forward to writing your personalised inscriptions! Let me know your favourite colour via twitter or Instagram @writtenmirror and I’ll do my best to accommodate.
Mmm strawberry cheesecake 😋 and what a fantastic interview 😃 I’ll have to check this book out, especially seeing how inspirational your favourite quote from the book is 😊🖤
Author
Thanks so much Jenn! 💖 Yay for strawberry cheesecake! So glad you enjoyed the post and hope you enjoy the book too! 😍 xx
This is such a lovely post, I always adore how creative you make your posts. Your interview with the author was so lovely to read. Keep up the amazing work!
Vicki | http://www.missviclb.co.uk
Author
Thank you so much Vicki! You are so sweet & supportive! Glad you enjoyed the post 💖☺️ xx
This is such a thoughtful interview, love the sound of the ideal day! I think Inspirational quotes can be so great at getting us creatives to make stuff, sometimes you just need that little push. Great interview Bexa x
Alys
https://alysjournals.com
Author
Thanks so much Alys! 💖 Definitely, sometimes an inspirational quote is all we need to get started 😍. Glad you enjoyed the post lovely xx
Great post! Must admit I’d never heard of this guy or his work before but he came across so well in your interview, what a top guy! I’ll be sure to check his book out soon as well 😊
Author
Thank you so much lovely! I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview, hope you like Jay’s book too! 💖☺️ xx
Great interview Bex! Very interesting and well written 😄
Author
Thank you so much! That’s so kind of you! Glad you enjoyed the post 😄 xx
This a really great interview Bexa!
Louisa | http://www.loubeeloublogs.co.uk
Author
Thanks so much Louisa! 💖☺️ xx
Such a great review! How awesome that you got to interview Jay! I love the photographs you have taken and sounds like such a great book! Thank you for sharing lovely 😘xxx
Author
Thanks so much Lauren! 💖 It was a really awesome opportunity, so glad you enjoyed the post lovely 💕☺️ xx