Junior high school teacher began writing books to channel his thoughts, beliefs and emotions into something to benefit others. In addition, author Jeff Downs wanted to create stories that were reminiscent of shows his generation grew up watching like the Hardy Boys, The A-Team and Nancy Drew.
“I think we’re all hardwired for metaphor and parable,” said author Jeff Downs. “I think that’s why you find it so much in scripture because everyone loves a good story. My goal with every book that I have written is just to try and inspire all of us, including myself, to keep fighting the good fight and never give up.”
Downs began writing his first book released in 2001, Heaven’s Shadow, after his oldest son was diagnosed with Leukemia at three years old. He said it was at this time in his life that he felt he was in a dark place and didn’t want to sit with a councilor to talk out his emotions.
“I don’t know, I started to wonder to myself, you know, assuming he lives, what are the important things I would want my children and grandchildren to know?” said Downs. “And as a father and a grandfather how was I able to process difficult things in life? And a journal is great, I keep one of these too, but I thought it’d be more interesting if I did it in the form of a story.”
Downs’s books have been categorized as “Teen and Young Adult Literature and Fiction” and he says teaching his children has always been his main motivation for storytelling, but he has been approached by people who said his work had a meaningful impact on them. Fans of his work have approached him with thanks and said his stories it has inspired change in their adult lives.
“It was never my intent to try and make money off this,” Downs said. "It was just a way to try and share some important messages for my own children. And what does the law of concentration say? We’re supposed to dedicate all our time, talents and what have you. And so, I take that literally.”
His fifth book, Port in a Storm, touches on the topic of human trafficking and due to the subject matter, Downs’s publishers turned down the publishing of his fifth book meaning he needed outside help to fine tune it. Downs was able to self-publish the book in January and was able to work on the novel with his sons, an experience he described as full circle.
“In a way it was a relief that my publishers said no on this one because I never would have enjoyed this opportunity with my three sons, Steve, Chris and Mike, to put this together and make it something that we can call our own,” Downs said. “And so that just it brought it full circle, it made it priceless.”
To listen to the full interview with Jeff Downs, go to BYU-Idaho Radio’s podcast on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.