Hello, I’m Jason Sarna!

It took me over 20 years to call myself a “writer.”

In my mind, I needed a literary agent, a published book, and some financial success to give myself such a distinguished title.

It didn’t matter that I had studied screenwriting at UCLA, sketch comedy writing at The Second City in Chicago, and Creative Writing at the University of Idaho. It also didn’t matter that I had spent countless hours writing essays, blogs, songs, screenplays, comedy sketches, movie reviews, plays, short stories, novels, and poems. None of this was enough.

Even after I self-published my first novel, Night Burger, in 2014, it didn’t count because it was self-published.

In 2022, after a difficult breakup with my girlfriend, I began a healing journey, which involved plant medicine ceremonies, acupuncture, sacred sexuality retreats, meditation, integration circles, yoga, hypnotherapy, reiki, and various other healing modalities that took me to the depths of my soul. I, as one can imagine, had a lot to heal!

It was through this healing journey that I began to see myself more clearly until—eventually, after lots of consistent inner work—I arrived at a place of self-acceptance. No longer did I so desperately desire the validation of the outside world.

At age 42, I was done waiting for someone to give me the green light to make my dreams a reality. I was also done suffering. The constant comparison, negative self-talk, invasive and obsessive thoughts, stress, worry, indecision, and fear (that, I believe, caused my depression, anxiety, insomnia, and IBS) were no longer needed.

I wanted to be free. I wanted to step into my power. I wanted to dive, head first, into the infinite ocean of creativity and become not only the “writer” but also the artist I always knew I was yet never fully gave myself permission to be.

Writing, I discovered, went far beyond my limited desire to get an agent, publish a book, and make some money. It was my entry into the world of art, where I learned craft, patience, and discipline. Later, it was my entry into the world of healing, where I eventually learned how to cultivate inner peace, embody my authentic self, and become the creator of my life.

Whether you consider yourself a writer or not, Iconoclast Writing helps people reconnect with Source and tap into their creative potential. We all possess the power to be the creators of our lives so long as we are willing to look inward and do the work, which is ongoing and lasts a lifetime. If you’re ready to step into the unknown, I’d love to help guide you home.

Bio

I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Idaho. Since 2018, I’ve been teaching at Reno Improv, where I served as Education Chair from 2023-2024 and founded the sketch comedy writing program. I also have an extensive background in improv comedy, acting, and stage directing. In addition to teaching, I produce and co-host the podcast Managing Love Intelligently with Steven Ing, MFT and write for the Reno News & Review. I am currently rewriting a book of taxidermy poetry, inspired by my time working at a taxidermy shop in Reno from 2019-2021.

You can view my CV here.