In this episode of I Am Lakeland, host Don Burns sits down with local author JP Sims to discuss his journey from a storyteller in training to a published novelist. Sims shares the inspiration behind his debut book, Three Loves, a coming-of-age romance that follows a protagonist through three pivotal relationships spanning over 20 years. He describes the story as a blend of romance, comedy, action, and drama, heavily influenced by his own experiences growing up in Lakeland and attending the University of South Florida.

JP reflects on how a creative writing course at Lakeland High School first ignited his passion for writing. Despite life’s many responsibilities, he continued to fill notebooks with ideas for decades. It wasn't until the passing of his father in 2023 that he felt the urgency to finally finish and publish his work. He discusses ...