Meet Luke J. Morris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke J. Morris.

Luke, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in Oak Park, IL, just outside Chicago. After graduating high school I worked in retail building supplies for a few years before trekking off to Hillsdale, MI to seek a degree. I earned a B.A. in Philosophy (because I firmly believe in following the money) from Hillsdale College in 2005.

After graduating, I returned to the Chicago area, taught for a few months, then started work as a purchasing agent for an industrial supply company, where I would work for almost eight years before moving down here in early 2015.

While in the Chi I also trained martial arts and became a Muay Thai instructor and MMA coach at Dion Riccardo’s Victory Martial Arts Academy. Martial arts have been a huge part of my life for almost twenty years, and the mindset they’ve built in me is responsible for a lot of the success I’ve achieved, and much of the sanity I’ve retained.

Since I moved to Phoenix, I’ve been teaching high school English and Creative Writing for a highly-ranked charter school network. During my “free time” (always a misnomer for teachers) I earned my M.A. in Creative Writing from Wilkes University in 2017.

Nowadays, I spend my free time writing, publishing, public speaking, and training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Megaton BJJ. Oh, and I got married last year. Having fun with my wife and kids counts as a free time activity, right?

My main business practice, outside of my day-to-day schoolteacher duties, involves writing. I write both fiction and non-fiction, and have published half a dozen books (see Luke J. Morris on Amazon or my website, (http://lukejmorris.com), including ‘The Martial Artist’s Mindset’ and ‘Cthulhu 4 Kids.’ I’m currently seeking agent representation for my latest project, my first full-length novel, ‘The Monster Within.’

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would hardly say it’s been a “smooth road” (does anyone?). While in college I got married, had a child, went broke, and then got divorced a year after graduating. I moved back to Chicago in 2006 with partial custody of my son, two cats (one of them pregnant), and a few pennies in my pocket. I lived with a friend for several months until I could get my feet back under me.

I then spent eight years in an unfulfilling corporate job. It was a good company, they paid well, had great benefits, and my coworkers were nice people, but the work… the work sucked. So boring. A mind-numbing kick in the jaw for 40 hours a week. But I was in the rat-race trap, see? I was secure. Hell, if they hadn’t laid me off in late 2014, I might still be working there! I’m SO glad they laid me off.

Now, I work 60-70 hours a week, the pressure on me is heavier, the expectations are higher, and I earn a good chunk less than I did at my corporate job, But I LOVE my work, and I am NEVER bored. And I get creative inspiration to write and publish more stuff, which provides me a secondary income stream. How cool is that? There were a few other bumps and craters along the road to this gig, though.

2012 was a hell of a year. It began with another breakup, continued on to a fractured skull in a sparring accident (the reason I don’t kickbox anymore), and ended with the sudden and unexpected death of my Dad. Though I kept up a positive front about it, that last event sunk me into a well of depression it would take years to climb out of.

With the help of martial arts training, writing, my son, and my wife, though, I moved myself into a better place, both mentally and physically. Overall, these struggles have made me stronger and more resilient. This is why I get to do what I love today and get paid for it.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I’ve always had an eclectic personality. My favorite movies are ‘Casablanca,’ ‘The Princess Bride,’ and ‘The Room.’ My favorite novels are ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ and ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.’ My favorite songs are ‘When the Levee Breaks,’ ‘California Love,’ and ‘Flight of the Valkyries.’

As in my personal tastes, so in my work: I wear many hats. At my day job I teach English and Creative Writing, run a filmmaking club, and serve as a subject advisor for 26 teachers throughout our network. As a performer, I do improv, drama, and motivational talks.

As a writer, I’m all over the place. I write comedic kids stories (‘Cthulhu 4 Kids’), inspirational self-development books (‘The Martial Artist’s Mindset’), psychological horror novels (‘The Monster Within,’ coming soon!), and many others. My goal is to be the true Renaissance Man, but for now, I’ll settle for Jack of All Trades.

Do you feel luck has played a role in your life?
I’ve never put much stock in luck. Yes, I’ve had things go my way – finding my career, meeting my wife, etc. I’ve also had plenty go against me – a fractured orbital lobe, the death of my father, and all that.

While I could credit or blame luck, fate, or God for every great or horrible thing that’s happened to me, I think that misses the point. The point isn’t the circumstances or accidents of your life, but what you do in response.

I’d rather put my energy into doing what I can to make the best of whatever challenges or opportunities come my way. What I do for myself and others matters more than what happens to me.

Pricing:

• Books: $0.99 to $9.99 (Ebook and Paperback)

Contact Info:

• Website: http://lukejmorris.com
• Email: lukejmorris1@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeetkuneluke/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeetkuneluke

Image Credit:
Mo Simpson, Donovan Scherer, Jamie Olson

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