Jason Wood: "You Are Never Alone — No Matter What Has Been Done to You"

Miami-based yacht broker and entrepreneur Jason Wood wrote his debut memoir From Here to Half Moon Bay in just 30 days — a raw, personal account of adoption, abuse, and resilience inspired by a letter he wrote to his birth parents. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.

Miami resident Jason Wood is a man of many talents and truly unique experiences. He is an entrepreneur who stumbled into writing, inspired by a letter he wrote to his birth parents. A sailor at heart and a true lover of the sea, he is also a yacht broker for one of the largest privately owned yacht companies in the world. Born in downtown San Francisco and raised in Half Moon Bay, California and Lake Oswego, Oregon, Jason is the youngest in his family with three sisters.

His first book, From Here to Half Moon Bay, was written in 30 days — non-stop, morning and night, on land and at sea, at work and at home. The title was a perfect fit because Jason sought to find a metaphor that fit his life: "beautiful on the outside, with dark secrets on the inside." The book addresses abuse, sexism, drugs, alcoholism, family, and adoption — and the everlasting capacity of the human mind to grow, evolve, overcome, and rise above.

PGM: What compelled you to write this book?

Jason Wood: I had a breakdown one day in my office and the outcome was me hiring a company to find my birth parents. When I realized they were actually going to find them, I figured I had better write them a letter. I sat down to write them and 30 days later I had it all written — my story.

PGM: What was your biggest challenge in the writing process?

Jason Wood: My biggest challenge was fear. I was afraid that I was not a good writer. I was afraid that no one would understand my story. I was afraid that my family would resent me for telling it.

PGM: Why did you decide to self-publish?

Jason Wood: The pen is the biggest weapon in the world. Wars are fought with guns and bombs, but all wars are won or lost with the stroke of a single pen. I now own and run a publishing company — Kantanoose Global is now on the map. I have two more books to be printed in 2010 and two more to come in 2011. Publishing is an amazing process and I am so happy that I decided to push onward to this point.

PGM: What is the biggest lesson you want people to learn from reading your book?

Jason Wood: First, you are never alone. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, there will always be someone out there that understands. You can and must keep going. Second, push on. Do not let anyone or anything break your will. Life is tricky at times and roadblocks will show up everywhere. Use the roadblocks as a bench to sit down and re-tie your shoes before jumping up, jumping over, and continuing on your journey.

PGM: What was the best part of writing your first book?

Jason Wood: The very best part was seeing the cover in its final form. Just to look upon my work and know that what is inside is going to bring emotions up inside people that they may have never felt before — that was my true pleasure. My books are beautiful inside and out, just like we all are.

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