J. F. Richards Interview Published on: 06, Apr 2026
Your writing journey began as a personal refuge. How did writing help you process the challenges you faced growing up with Asperger syndrome?
I write to process the challenges that many people deal with that people go through all the time, being on the spectrum shows a different view of how the world works.
You experienced significant loss at a young age. How did those experiences influence the themes or characters in The Legend of the Sacred Knights?The losses I dealt with helped me understand how life can be, but I learned what they taught me can help even more. My Lead character has many parallels with me, such as the loss of loved ones and being raised by a close relative.
You mentioned that writing became a safe place for you. When did you first realize that storytelling could be more than just an escape?When I learned on how other great writers went through many difficulties before they wrote their masterpieces. Great works can give insight into the minds of their creators.
Many writers begin with fan fiction. How did writing stories based on existing worlds help you develop your voice as an author?I love brainstorming with characters that are known and have stories I enjoy, but it helps me develop my writing to start creating something new.
What inspired you to move from writing fan fiction to creating your own universe, Metazona?I watched many foreign shows like Super Sentai and saw how cool scenes from them look, I thought I could write something like that,
Can you tell us about the moment when the idea for “The Legend of the Sacred Knights” first took shape?When I thought of the idea that it should be team of heroes that grow across the story.
The pandemic gave many creatives time to reflect. How did that period specifically influence the development of your book?I had a lot of freedom, and I thought I could try and make something like others were at the time.
You connected with a film director and screenwriter who encouraged you. What impact did that mentorship have on your confidence as a writer?The Director was a good friend of my uncle and he saw how well I managed to write the story, then he showed me ways to make scenes in the story more believable and add more depth to the story so the characters can be more relatable.
World-building is a key element in fantasy. What was the most exciting—or challenging—part of creating the world of Metazona?The difficult part was finding a culture that each tribe could be like, mostly what their base animal represents in real life.
Are there characters in “The Legend of the Sacred Knights” that reflect the kind of heroes you wished for when you were younger?Yes, because they have much more than what we first see when we meet them.
What themes or messages do you hope readers will take away from your story?Friendship and Adventure are some of the main themes in my story.
Your journey shows resilience and growth. How does that personal journey appear in the narrative of your book?The Characters start to understand more about who they are and why this quest is vital.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers—especially those who feel their voices are often misunderstood?Keep trying to write, don’t feel down if it doesn't work the first time.
Is “The Legend of the Sacred Knights” just the beginning, or do you already have plans to expand the world of Metazona in future stories?I have two sequels in development along with a prequel and I have been working on other creative stories outside this series.
Would you recommend AllAuthor to fellow authors, and if so, what services or tools on the platform have you found most useful in growing your writing career?Connecting with authors and the mockup for promoting my book is the most useful for me.
