Q&A with Brian Jeansonne, Author of "Onward. Forward.: My Journey with ALS: Finding Beauty and Love in the Clusterf*ck"
Brian Jeansonne and I found each other through a mutual friend after Brian had completed a solid draft of a memoir manuscript and wasn’t sure what to do next. We started with a manuscript evaluation and then proceeded to work together in an editing/coaching relationship to put the final polish on his book, Onward. Forward.: My Journey with ALS: Finding Beauty and Love in the Clusterf*ck.
Brian had never written a book before, but it was clear from the beginning that he was preconditioned to be an author. Brian is a former pastor, and turning deep thoughts into words seemed to be second nature for him. Brian faced an extraordinary impediment to putting words on the page, though: He lives with ALS and could no longer use his hands to type when he began writing his memoir. He typed the entire book, including the revision and innumerable rounds of editing, using his eyes and some incredible technology.
I think of Onward. Forward. as a book Brian would have written eventually even if he’d never met ALS. The disease just made him slow down long enough to do it now. The following is a Q&A we conducted over Google Drive with his wife Kristy’s help. Kristy doesn’t have a byline on Onward. Forward., but she’s the project manager of Team Jeansonne and was intimate with the project at every stage. I wanted to ask Brian and Kristy about how they navigated the book creation process from tip to tail: conception, revision, securing an enviable foreword, landing a small publisher, throwing a launch party, and beyond.
After you’ve read through our conversation, visit www.thejeansonne7.com to learn more about Brian and Kristy and the J7.
QUESTION: When and why did you first conceive of writing Onward. Forward.?
BRIAN JEANSONNE: The idea for Onward. Forward. began one evening on my porch, where I often found myself recording videos for my kids on a range of topics—lessons about life, reflections on love, resilience, and the things I wanted them to carry with them long after I’m gone. Those moments felt intimate and important, and I realized I wanted those ideas to live in a form they could revisit at any time. Writing them down felt natural, transforming fleeting spoken words into something lasting and tangible. It was my way of giving them a piece of me that would always be there, no matter what. I wanted them to have a record of this journey that wasn’t just about ALS but about love, humor, and holding on to what matters.
When I decided to turn those thoughts into a book, I figured if only my kids ever read it, that would be fine with me.
Your book’s title comes from the television series Ted Lasso. At what point in the process did you come up with that?
The title came to me after I'd been writing for a while and watching Ted Lasso with Kristy and the kids. There’s a line in the show that resonated: “Onward, forward.” It’s this simple yet powerful reminder that you keep going no matter what. In my situation, that phrase became almost like a mantra—it captured the spirit of what I was writing about and just felt right.
I believe you would have written a book even if you’d never gotten ALS. Do you think that’s true? Did you aspire to become an author prior to your diagnosis?
Absolutely, yes. I’ve always been someone who likes to reflect and write, and in some ways a book was always in the back of my mind. But ALS made the call to write louder. There’s an urgency to say what you need to say while you can, and that urgency drove me to finally put the words down.
A mutual friend connected us after you’d completed a draft of your manuscript. What was your writing process like before we met? How long did it take you to complete that draft, and how did you make time in your life to write?
Before we connected, my writing process took about six months. The structure of the book came to me during a moment of clarity in meditation, and from that point on, I dedicated around six hours a day to writing. It became a daily practice—an intentional space to pour my thoughts onto the page and shape them into something meaningful.
Were you already using Eyegaze technology when you first began to write it?
Yes, I’d just started using Eyegaze when I began the writing process. It was challenging to adjust at first, but I grew to appreciate the technology. It allowed me to keep my voice and communicate ideas, even though it’s slower than typing or speaking.
What did you think you needed when you got in touch with me? An editor? A coach? Something else?
I was hoping for a bit of everything—editorial guidance, coaching, and maybe a little encouragement. Writing a book is one thing, but shaping it into something that flows and resonates takes another level of skill. I was grateful to find someone who could help bring structure to my ideas and refine them without losing the heart of what I wanted to say.
What did you enjoy about the revision process, meaning what you and I did together after you’d completed a pretty solid manuscript on your own?
What I enjoyed most about the revision process was how you drew more out of me than I thought I had to give. You didn’t just focus on polishing the words on the page; you encouraged me to dig deeper into my experiences and emotions, helping me uncover layers of meaning I hadn’t fully explored. It felt like a partnership—your questions and suggestions pushed me to articulate things more clearly and honestly, which made the book feel more authentic and alive. The process wasn’t just about refining the manuscript; it was about finding the heart of the story and bringing it to light in a way I couldn’t have done on my own.
What did you not enjoy about that process?
I’ll be honest. Sometimes it’s hard to see parts of your writing that need a lot of work or sections that need to be cut. The editing process can feel like taking sandpaper to something you’ve carefully built. But I also saw the value in that sanding; it made the end result stronger.
Was there anything surprising about the revision process?
Yes, it surprised me how much my own perspective could change on a story after revisiting it. Sometimes, something that felt critical initially turned out to be better left out or rephrased, and that insight only came after going over the draft again. The process challenged me to stay open to changes I hadn’t anticipated.
In your original manuscript, you had lyrics from songs that were meaningful to you at the top of each chapter. In the end, you swapped most of those out for Ted Lasso quotes. Could you say a bit about how you decided against using the lyrics?
In the beginning it felt really important to use the lyrics. Music is a sustaining force for me, and so many of the concepts in the book were naturally tied to songs I like. You warned me that it might be difficult and expensive to get permissions to publish the lyrics, and then a lawyer friend of mine started trying to secure permissions and found that it would indeed be too difficult and expensive. As I said, Ted Lasso had already influenced the book’s title. Once I came to terms with not being able to use the lyrics, it wasn’t difficult to come up with quotes from that show as epigraphs for each chapter.
You originally thought you would self-publish, with some support. You wound up finding a small publisher, DartFrog. How did it feel to find a publisher who was excited to get behind your book?
Finding a publisher who was as invested in the message as I was felt like validation. Self-publishing was my original plan, but connecting with a publisher brought new resources and perspectives that I hadn’t considered. They helped me take the book to a level I might not have reached alone. It was affirming to know there were others who believed this story needed to be told.
What compromises with your publisher did you have to make during book production?
One of the big compromises was giving up some control over certain design and formatting elements. They had their own vision for how best to present the book, and while I had to adapt, I trusted their expertise. At times, it felt a bit like letting go of pieces I cared about, but in the end, it strengthened the final product.
Do you have any advice for authors who are looking to publish but don’t know whether it’s worth the investment of time and energy to look for a publisher, versus self-publishing?
For anyone in that position, I’d say weigh the decision carefully based on what you want to achieve with your book. Self-publishing can be rewarding if you want full control and a faster timeline. But if you’re looking to reach a broader audience or want more support, finding a publisher can make a huge difference. Just be prepared to work within their system and compromise when necessary.
The Jeansonne 7
“Stay connected to the heart of your story, especially during the rough patches. There will be moments of doubt, but if the story feels meaningful to you, trust that there’s a reason you’re writing it. ”
Alanis Morissette wrote the foreword to your book. I’ll let people learn about how that transpired by reading your book. But could you say a bit about what it’s like to ask someone to write a foreword? Was that an easy experience or a nerve-wracking one?
Nerve-wracking is putting it mildly! Asking Alanis was probably one of the boldest things I’ve ever done. There’s always that uncertainty of how someone will respond, and it took a lot of courage to reach out. But Alanis has been such a meaningful presence in my life through her music, especially since my diagnosis, that I felt compelled to ask. When she said yes, it was an incredible moment—one of those rare times in life where you feel a deep gratitude for the kindness and understanding of another person.
Do you have any advice for authors who might want to ask a friend or colleague or celebrity to write a foreword or introduction? Like, would you do anything differently? Or, what was the most challenging aspect of that dynamic?
Asking someone to write a foreword can be intimidating, especially if it’s someone you admire deeply. My advice would be to approach the ask with genuine humility and clarity about why their voice would mean so much to the book. I’d recommend giving them time and space, and to understand that they may need to decline if they’re unable to do it. I was upfront about what the book meant to me and how much her contribution would add, which I think made it easier for Alanis to understand why I was asking. The biggest challenge was letting go of my nerves and trusting that she’d see the heart behind my request.
How much time would you advise giving someone who you’ve asked to write a foreword to get it written and back to you?
I’d recommend at least two to three months, if possible. The timing will depend on their schedule, but you also want to leave room for any necessary revisions or adjustments. Giving that buffer shows you respect their time and allows for a more relaxed process.
Do you think Alanis’s foreword has helped book sales?
Yes, absolutely. Alanis’s name brings recognition, and her presence has added depth and credibility to the book.
How did you feel on your publication day? How did you celebrate or mark the occasion?
On publication day, I felt incredibly vulnerable, as if I was handing over a deeply personal piece of myself to the world. Writing Onward. Forward. was such an intimate process, rooted in my reflections on life, love, and the challenges of living with ALS. Knowing that my thoughts and experiences were now out there for anyone to read was both humbling and a little overwhelming. At the same time, I felt a deep sense of gratitude—to Kristy, my kids, and everyone who supported me through the journey of creating the book. To celebrate, we kept it simple and meaningful, sharing the day with family and close friends, reflecting on what it took to bring the book to life and appreciating the moment together.
You had quite the launch party. Could you tell us a bit about how you planned that, like where it was, the different elements of the event, how many people came, and what you learned from the experience? Would you do anything differently next time?
The launch party was held in New Orleans at a local venue, surrounded by friends, family, and members of our community. We included elements that felt personal—some live music, great food, and, of course, a chance to connect with everyone who has been part of our journey. The turnout was more than I expected, which was both humbling and exciting. If I were to do it again, I might create more space for quieter moments with guests; the energy was high, and it was wonderful, but I wanted to be able to connect one-on-one with more people.
In terms of finding readers and making sales, are your aspirations for the book coming to fruition? Is there anything about this early phase of being published that’s particularly exciting or disappointing?
The response has been overwhelming, especially from people who share similar experiences or have been inspired by the book’s message. It’s exciting to hear from readers who feel seen or motivated. My hope was to create something that resonates, and seeing that start to happen has been both humbling and energizing. The only disappointment is probably just the natural wish to reach even more people, but I’m learning that this journey takes time.
Have you used any resources for how to market your book that might be helpful to other authors?
Marketing has been an evolving process. Social media and word-of-mouth have been powerful, especially since our story is so personal. I’ve leaned on platforms that connect with our community, like Instagram and local New Orleans groups. My advice for authors would be to connect with communities that naturally align with the book’s theme and to find ways to share parts of the journey that feel real and authentic.
If you could give a first-time author who’s midway through a book manuscript one piece of advice, what would it be?
Stay connected to the heart of your story, especially during the rough patches. There will be moments of doubt, but if the story feels meaningful to you, trust that there’s a reason you’re writing it. Also, find a few people who will champion you along the way, and lean on them.
Are you still writing? If so, would you like to say what you’re working on?
I am. Writing has become a part of how I process life, and I’m working on a few short pieces that capture the humor and unexpected lessons that come from our day-to-day. I’m not sure what will become of them yet, but I’m thinking book two is in the works.
To learn more about Brian, visit www.thejeansonne7.com.