By Owen Jarvis, as told to Katie Ginn
Earlier this year, high-school senior Owen Jarvis of Pelham, Alabama, found out he was a “finalist” for Belhaven University’s Angie Thomas Writer’s Scholarship, named for the bestselling YA novelist and Belhaven alumnus.
During his final scholarship “interview” via Zoom, Owen got a surprise from Thomas herself, who hopped onto the call and informed him he had already won the scholarship – which provides a full ride to Belhaven. Owen recently spoke with MCL Editor Katie Ginn about how faith informs his writing and why he’s excited about college.
Katie Ginn: After revealing that you’d won the scholarship, Angie Thomas told you to always follow your faith. Where did that faith in Jesus start for you?
Owen Jarvis: My dad was the worship leader at the church that we attended in South Florida for most of my life. (But) I really didn’t get a spiritual foundation until about middle school, when the Christian school I was going to stirred in my heart a love for the Lord.
And then my dad’s job got terminated … so we decided to move to Alabama because family was close. For a while, I was really resentful that we had to move. But the Lord really used these last four years (in Alabama) to do so much in my life.
KG: What prompted you to start writing?
OJ: Early in my freshman year (of high school), I made a new friend … And then spring break of that same school year, I got news that he had passed away. He had a cardiac attack on the track field.
(That) was really when I started writing, going into that summer. (I) found a lot of solace in writing. I wouldn’t be here, having submitted the writing I did (for the scholarship), without first having my friend as motivation behind it. That really has impressed on me how the Lord can use even tragedy like that in such a beautiful way.
KG: What genre do you write?
OJ: I like to write science fiction and fantasy. I’ve done a little bit of horror, which is hard to do as a Christian and not get too spiritually dark, but it is fun to mess with a little bit.
KG: Any authors who’ve influenced you?
OJ: A lot of my main influence for the tone of my writing comes actually from songs, because my dad was in music for so long. But for author authors, I’d say Brian Jacques; he wrote the ‘Red Wall’ series, which I loved. And I haven’t read his work extensively, but Stephen King is definitely a good one.
KG: What excites you most about college?
OJ: Everything. … I’m excited to be working on my writing, for school, to do something with it. (And) I’m really excited to meet other writers.
KG: What do you believe your calling is?
OJ: I really do think writing is what He’s purposed in me specifically, to glorify Him through that and to ask the right questions … what if He really was good, what if He really was real, what if He really did care for me, what if He really was a Savior? What if He really is this powerful and can defeat death?
KG: How can MCL readers be praying for college freshmen?
OJ: (Ask God to give us) wisdom and direction, both for the time in our lives right now, as well as for navigating the chaos of the current age. And that we can find peace, rest, and strength in the Lord, growing to trust Him more and more. The days are evil, and to be reminded again and again of His faithfulness is important when distractions are so abundant.