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Matthew McConaughey.
Photo Credit: Penguin Random House
Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey chatted about his new children’s book “Just Because,” which was released on September 12 via Penguin Random House. It was illustrated by Renée Kurilla.
He opened up about his inspiration to write this picture book, the lessons he learned from it, as well as his daily motivations. He also discussed being a part of the digital age, and he furnished his definition of the word success.
American author, speaker, and leader John C. Maxwell once said: “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” This quote applies to Matthew McConaughey.
Background on Matthew McConaughey
McConaughey is an Academy Award–winning actor (“Best Actor in a Leading Role” for “Dallas Buyers Club”) and the New York Times bestselling author of his memoir “Greenlights.”
He and his wife, Camila, founded the Just Keep Livin Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering high school students by providing them with the tools to lead active lifestyles, in an effort to make healthy choices for a better future.
McConaughey is a professor of practice and a Minister of Culture for the University of Texas at Austin, where he lives with Camila and their three children (Levi, Vida and Livingston). He is a storyteller, a tree house builder, and a pickle expert.
In 2005, People Magazine named him as the “Sexiest Man Alive.”
Matthew McConaughey. Photo Courtesy of Levi McConaughey
Inspiration to write ‘Just Because’
On his inspiration to write “Just Because,” McConaughey said, “I woke up one night at 2:30 a.m. from a dream of a song, a little Bob Dylan type ditty in my head. I started to write the rhymes down and went back to bed around 6:30 a.m. with about 100 couplets. When I woke up the next day, and read them back, I still dug them. That is how the book was born.”
Regarding his writing process for this book, he revealed, “The process for ‘Just Because’ was different than ‘Greenlights’ in that I didn’t go off to write. This one just came to me. It was a lot of fun.”
Lessons learned from writing ‘Just Because’
On the lessons that he learned while writing this book, he said, “Reading the couplets back and reading them with my kids was a pretty eye-opening experience.”
“More than teach me, it just reminds me to embrace life’s contradictions rather than fighting them,” he added.
Daily motivations
On his daily motivations as an actor, author, and storyteller, he said, “I love the craft and the rhythm of everyday life and living. Learning from others, taking in new things, and my kids… they also inspire and teach me daily.”
The digital age
On being an actor and author in the digital age, now with streaming, technology, and social media being so prevalent, McConaughey said, “I love being an actor and author in any age. It’s all coming, innovation, and AI so we need to learn how to embrace it and use it responsibly.”
“It is not in place of work and values, it’s an enhancement that we all know is inevitable,” he added.
Advice for aspiring actors and authors
His advice for young and aspiring actors and authors is the following: “Don’t be afraid to take risks and to challenge yourself. Also, always prepare… never think your best work will come when you just wing it,” he said.
Favorite motto to live by
He shared his favorite motto to live by: “Just keep livin’ is one I started to use when my father moved on,” he said. “I still use it today,” he admitted.
Success
On his definition of the word success, McConaughey said, “Success means still being able to chase your better self.”
Matthew McConaughey.
Photo Credit: Vida Alves McConaughey
Closing thoughts on his children’s book ‘Just Because’
McConaughey remarked about his new picture book, “‘Just Because’ is a children’s book meant for the kid in all of us. It embraces life’s contradictions and reminds us that it’s okay to feel two conflicting things at once.”
“I hope that it sparks dialogue between parents and kids,” the Oscar winner concluded.
American track and field legend Steve Prefontaine once said: “To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.”
Matthew McConaughey embodies this inspirational quote. He is a versatile author, humanitarian, and actor, whose acting work is transcendent in film and TV; moreover, his writing work is bound to resonate with readers of all ages.
“Just Because” is available on Amazon by clicking here. For more information, check out its official homepage.
To learn more about Matthew McConaughey, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
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