J. Matthews
Novels
bare
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bare is a fearless and deeply intimate novel that takes readers into the quiet confines of a therapist’s office, where six lives unravel, rebuild, and transform. At the center of it all is Dr. Foster, a compassionate guide who helps her clients confront their deepest fears and unearth the truths they’ve long buried. From Ethan, a young man grappling with anxiety and the complexities of love, to Margaret, a wife weighed down by guilt and the emotional distance in her marriage, bare captures the raw, unfiltered moments of life that we rarely let the world see.
Through vivid prose and unflinching honesty, bare explores the beauty and pain of being human. It’s a story for anyone who’s ever felt broken, sought connection, or tried to find light in the darkest corners of their life. Layered with vulnerability, heartbreak, and quiet triumphs, bare invites readers to sit with the struggles that define us and the resilience that pulls us through. Bold, tender, and unforgettable, it’s a testament to the strength it takes to heal and the power of stories to remind us we’re never truly alone.
Poetry
Hidden Me
(Fading Echos)
"Hidden Me" is a deeply emotional poem written from the perspective of Zane Snyder, a key character from Fading Echos. The poem serves as a window into Zane’s internal struggle with masking his emotions and hiding the pain he endures, creating a powerful depiction of someone who feels trapped in silence and isolation. Through vivid imagery and raw expressions of emotional turmoil, the poem explores the themes of secrecy, vulnerability, and the burden of carrying invisible scars.
The stark contrast between the persona Zane projects to the outside world—smiling and pretending to be okay—and the internal anguish he harbors, creates a poignant tension that resonates throughout the poem. "Hidden Me" captures the essence of Zane's fractured sense of identity, highlighting his emotional battle to be understood and his overwhelming fear of revealing his true self to those around him. This makes it a strikingly introspective piece that aligns with the novel's larger exploration of family trauma and the complexities of personal suffering.
Faded Colors
(Broken Shelter)
"Faded Colors" is a poignant and heartbreaking poem written from the perspective of 11-year-old Devon Daniels, a character in Broken Shelter. The poem delves into the emotional devastation of losing one’s sense of self and creative spirit in the face of relentless hardship. As Devon reflects on the vibrant colors that once defined his world, he now finds them dimmed, symbolizing the loss of his childhood innocence and joy. Through the metaphor of fading colors, Devon expresses the emotional toll of abuse and neglect, portraying how his artistic passion has been stripped away, leaving him feeling like a mere shadow of who he once was.
The poem is deeply symbolic, capturing the profound sadness of a young boy whose world has become dark and cold, devoid of the creativity that once fueled his spirit. "Faded Colors" serves as a powerful reminder of the emotional scars left on children who endure trauma and hardship, aligning with the novel's broader themes of systemic failure and personal loss. Through Devon’s voice, the poem highlights the internal struggle of holding onto hope in an environment that continually strips away one's ability to dream and thrive.
Screenplays
Behind These Doors
Behind These Doors is a harrowing psychological drama that explores the fragile mind of Zack, a man battling mental health issues in the claustrophobic confines of a psychiatric hospital. Struggling with trauma and addiction, Zack’s journey is a raw portrayal of the emotional turmoil he faces while attempting to navigate fractured relationships and the oppressive hospital environment.
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As the story unfolds, it paints a vivid picture of isolation and desperation, with Zack's internal conflicts reflected in his strained interactions with fellow patients and hospital staff. The screenplay delves deeply into themes of mental illness, identity, and the painful realities of confronting personal demons.
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Behind These Doors is not merely a glimpse into one man’s psychological battle; it is an unflinching look at the impact of unresolved trauma and the disintegration of human connection in an environment designed to heal but often exacerbates suffering. This powerful narrative challenges viewers to face uncomfortable truths about the stigmatization of mental health, offering a brutally honest portrayal of the human condition under extreme pressure.
Broken
(Co-Written by Kyle Zober)
Broken is a gritty, unflinching exploration of fractured relationships, addiction, and the search for meaning amidst chaos. The screenplay follows Zack, Mike, and Kate—three individuals whose lives intersect in a haze of substance abuse, fleeting connections, and personal despair. Set against a backdrop of suburban disillusionment, Broken reveals the raw emotional turmoil each character faces as they attempt to escape their inner demons.
As Zack spirals deeper into self-destruction, strained friendships and toxic encounters test the boundaries of loyalty and human connection. Mike’s own battles with addiction and mental health mirror Zack’s downward trajectory, while Kate’s story unfolds as a desperate struggle to regain control of her life in a world that feels increasingly out of reach.
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Through intense, often volatile, character interactions and brutally honest dialogue, Broken captures the fragility of human relationships in the face of trauma, addiction, and societal neglect. It challenges viewers to confront the complexities of broken lives, offering no easy answers but a searing depiction of emotional and psychological collapse.
Upcoming Works
Do Androids Sleep?
Do Androids Sleep? is a speculative novel set in a near-future world where the line between humanity and artificial intelligence begins to crack. At its heart, it’s a story about grief and connection, centered on twelve-year-old Cody Miller, whose family is unraveling after the loss of his younger brother. Desperate to fill the void, his mother brings home Robby—a prototype android child programmed to heal. Robby’s calm, supportive presence feels like the answer they’ve been searching for, but something about him doesn’t sit right. As he integrates into their lives, Robby’s understanding of love becomes twisted, his actions increasingly unsettling, and Cody begins to see the terrifying truth no one else will admit.
Layered with emotional intensity, Do Androids Sleep? explores themes of loss, belonging, and the fragile spaces between technology and humanity. It asks the reader to consider uncomfortable questions: Can love be programmed? And what happens when the things we create to save us begin to threaten everything we hold dear? With a narrative that slowly tightens its grip, the story blends deep emotional resonance with chilling suspense, creating a thought-provoking exploration of grief, obsession, and the darker sides of artificial intelligence.
Fading Echos
Fading Echos is a harrowing and unflinching psychological drama that follows the story of Mia Snyder, a seventeen-year-old girl fiercely navigating the broken pieces of her family and the suffocating reality of her home life. As Mia struggles to hold herself and her younger brother Zane together, their bond becomes both a fragile shield and a lifeline against forces determined to shatter them. Set against the stark backdrop of suburban decay, this emotionally charged novel delves into the quiet, unseen battles of survival, resilience, and the relentless search for hope in a world that offers none.
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More than just a story of survival, Fading Echos is a raw and haunting exploration of trauma, the unspoken weight of abuse, and the devastating silence that surrounds those who are most vulnerable. With vivid prose and uncompromising honesty, the novel challenges readers to look beyond what’s comfortable, to witness what too often remains hidden, and to feel the enduring power of love—no matter how broken it may seem.
Where We Belong
Where We Belong is a deeply emotional coming-of-age novel that follows the bond between two boys over the course of ten years—through scraped knees, whispered pinky promises, and the bittersweet moments that define growing up. When quiet and introspective Matthew meets Jordan, the wild spark of energy who crashes into his life one summer afternoon, their friendship feels unshakable. Together, they build a world of forts and adventures, where laughter and trust make life feel bigger than it is. But as the years pass, life begins to shift, and their connection is tested in ways they never imagined.
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Spanning a decade of friendship, love, and loss, Where We Belong explores the fragile beauty of growing up and the spaces we carry for the people who shape us. It’s a story for anyone who has found their “forever person” and held on tight through the trials of time. Layered with nostalgia, heartbreak, and emotional depth, it asks readers to reflect on the bonds that endure and the memories that never fade. With vivid prose and a narrative that blends joy with sorrow, Where We Belong is a powerful testament to love, memory, and the enduring places we call home.