Your first draft will be bad — write it anyway. It doesn’t matter how bad you think it is or that you don’t think you’re a writer etc… If you have a story to share, write it down. I promise you that the story will take on a life of its own and change in ways even you the writer won’t understand — let it change, let it grow. Somehow along the way you will be doing the same.
I had the pleasure of interviewing cc grey.
cc grey’s journey as an author is shaped by love, loss, and the unbreakable bond with her younger cousin, Jad. During his battle with cancer, her promise to support him led her to join the Marine Corps, a decision that deepened her understanding of perseverance and sacrifice. Inspired by the young fighters she met at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, cc created The World of Atlas series as a tribute to their strength and resilience.
Through the publishing house she founded, cc honors Jad’s memory by empowering artists to share stories that inspire hope, inclusivity, and dreams. She believes cancer patients are the true heroes among us — and through her books, she shows you why.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
First I would like to say thank you so much for having me and for helping me share my story with the world. I was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon and ended up moving to the U.S. when I was 15. My life was anything but ordinary, I was a basketball player aiming to join the WNBA one day. It was after all everything I had been working towards my entire life at the time. It wasn’t until I lost the ability to play basketball in an accident that left me with an injury I could not return from; or so said the doctor. As heartbreaking as it was then to lose everything, looking back now, it was probably the first sign that fate had taken an interest in me and chose to set me on a path that would change my entire life. I ended up going to New York for university having never even visited the campus (my self-love was at an all time low after losing basketball). November, 2013 my entire life changed. I stood at the bottom of the escalators at JFK and down came my Jad accompanied by my purpose for the rest of my life.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
Growing up I loved reading Asterix and Obelix, they were filled with adventure and friendship. My brother and I got so invested that we began drinking water and soup using the same goblet looking spoon they had. As I grew into my teenage years, I fell in love with Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. To this day he is my favorite author. I have always been an adventurer, my older brother and I didn’t leave a stone in the neighborhood unturned, no forest unexplored. Still, I found something beyond an adventure when I read The Picture of Dorian Gray. I found an understanding of the many depths of humanity we can fit into our lives. I began exploring the many layers of me, becoming the never ending adventure I still explore every single day.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Every time I think of this story I shake my head and laugh — If Jad were here, he would be laughing even harder. When I started writing my book, it was in the corner room at Sloan. Jad was in bed and I sat by the window. I don’t think I raised my head from the laptop for more than 16 hours every single day. Jad decided one day as I left my laptop with him for a brief second that it would be wise of him to pull a prank on me. He unlocked my laptop and proceeded to remove an entire chapter and make me believe that I never wrote it.
I came back and didn’t even realize what he had done. He snickered under his breath and I kept asking him why he’s acting weird ‘nothing’. His consistent response. I continued to write another chapter, without realizing anything. It wasn’t until I needed to validate something I had written in the past, that made me realize that I was missing a chapter. Jad’s innocence became his strength and he almost had me convinced that I never wrote it. That I only spoke about it out loud but it was mostly in my head. I think lack of sleep helped him trick me — His laugh was his dead giveaway. I think it rang so loud for so long that our nurse came in. I pranked him for an entire week after that — I laughed harder then.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
My book is more than just a fantasy novel — it’s a journey of resilience, identity, and self-discovery. I want readers, especially those who are fighting cancer, to see themselves in my characters, to feel empowered to embrace their own stories, and to know that even in their darkest moments, they are not alone. As the series grows, so will the vastness of love this story has to offer. I want it to become a beacon of a reminder to all who forget how truly magnificent and powerful they are. A mirror isn’t the only place they can see themselves — let them read my book or come talk to me, I will remind them.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
One of the most interesting stories in my book is actually towards the beginning — It is the first time I introduce loss — It’s a moment when the protagonist is forced to feel the thin veil between life and pain. It is an integral part of the story because of the depth someone can choose to go to, simply to make sure the other feels seen. It is easier to choose to forget but choosing to feel that pain, in order to witness the triumph in the memories of the Olympian who has passed — I think that is the biggest honor we can give any of our fallen heroes.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
I had written and written and written for a while back then, but never this book. It was always of the ups and downs my souls went through every day. This kind of Fantasy was never something I wrote — just read. I was in love with the tedious chaos of Greek mythology. It didn’t all click until Jad’s cancer came back and we were in the hospital January 2019. I wish you could have seen his strength and vulnerability and how powerful he is, not just was. Then one day a little boy walked past me in the hallway of the 9th floor dressed in spider man pjs, holding on to his action figure. At first I thought nothing of it, of course children have superhero action figures. It wasn’t until I was watching a movie the next night about superheroes that my mind exploded. Why do we glorify superheroes who do not exist, when in 20 min I will be asleep in a hospital bed next to someone who fights battles and creates worlds of miracles right here not more than 3 feet away from me. At that point I took out my laptop, sat by the window and wrote.
It became my ultimate weapon, my way of fighting back.
When I explained it all to Jad, I saw how much joy it brought him — how he believed in my story before I even did — I knew I had to finish it, not just for me, but for him and everyone who needed to believe in something bigger than their pain.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I would like to share a story about a young man in Australia who had also lost his brother to cancer.
My aunt had asked if I would be willing to speak with him because he was going through a hard time and I could share with him how I could still breathe every day — of course I was willing to connect with him.
I think this was one of the first moments I realized that 2 strangers, worlds apart who would probably never meet, can truly make a difference in each other’s lives. This was fate and I intended to help it make a difference. We spoke almost every day and checked in on each other. I wanted to remind him that he still mattered, that his voice needed to come back, he couldn’t forget himself in the tears and pain — he’s brilliant now I’m sure, even if we haven’t spoken in years. We have an understanding of the world — we both have keys now, keys to this other world where we know we are not alone. This is the cause I want to give everyone I possibly can and the gentleman in Australia was the first. Jad gave me keys and now I want to hand them over to everyone who is willing to walk through the door.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
- Invest in Cancer-Con not just Comic-Con — Fund a program that helps cancer patients come together not just for the hope of a medical miracle but also to wear their own armor and come as the hero that they are. Make it an event that allows parents to see what options their children have through the doctors that can come and share their knowledge. And please add a slide and jungle for the kids not to fall asleep. There has to be a better way for worlds to come together.
- Support authors & artists across the world — Give diverse voices a platform so their stories can reach those who need them most.
- Make books more accessible — Whether through schools, libraries, or digital platforms, stories should be within reach for everyone.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is about paving a way for others, even when the road is uncertain. It’s about showing up, being vulnerable, and daring to create change. For me, it’s sharing my story so others feel empowered to tell theirs. Leadership is about getting stronger so you can carry more consequences and teach the rest how to avoid them.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- Your first draft will be bad — write it anyway. It doesn’t matter how bad you think it is or that you don’t think you’re a writer etc… If you have a story to share, write it down. I promise you that the story will take on a life of its own and change in ways even you the writer won’t understand — let it change, let it grow. Somehow along the way you will be doing the same.
- Marketing is just as important as writing. No matter how good your book is, if no one knows about it, it won’t reach people. It will just exist in your head and nowhere else. I can’t tell you how many times I would talk about Oly and Fig and realize people had no idea who I was referring to.
- Not everyone will understand your vision — and that’s okay. Some people won’t get it, but the right ones will. Also please remember that there are billions of people in the world, someone somewhere is bound to understand … fate exists.
- Rest is part of the process. Burnout won’t make you a better writer. Taking breaks fuels longevity and living life fuels creativity — do both. Invite organized chaos into the living rooms of your soul and let it show you the different versions of you. That is more important than seeing the pyramids.
- Your story matters. There were moments I doubted myself, but if I had given up, I wouldn’t be here now. Even writing this, I have doubts. But at the same time, I know that even if one person feels less alone or feels seen or heard, then it will make me feel less alone, less like an alien, or maybe I will just have found some more alien friends.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
This quote is tattooed on my right forearm as a constant reminder that light needs help. We are surrounded by beautiful souls that light up the world and sometimes, they need a little nudge, a little boost to take the next step. You will come to realize all around you that the more you breathe strength and determination into yourself, the more you exhale permission for everyone around you to do the same. I, alone, am no one. I am a human walking through life trying to catch myself as I trip and fall. But every time I get up and dust myself, a child in a dark corner might see me getting up, dusting myself off, and continuing on. Maybe, just maybe, they will crawl out of that corner and do the same.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?
Honestly there would be 2 people.
- Trevor Noah — Because Jad loved him so much and his jokes. I think Jad spent more time watching Trevor Noah then studying for his exams in college. Also because Trevor was the last famous show we went to watch. We sat on the set floor because Jad’s wheelchair couldn’t go up into the bleachers. It was an amazing night — the camera man kept coming in front of us and apologizing.
- Keanu Reeves — Because he does human better than most humans. We also went to school across the street from each other (years apart) but still — I love my homes, New York and Lebanon and I would love nothing more than to talk about both with someone who has it all and wants none of it.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
They can follow me on instagram: @theccgrey and keep an eye on my website for future updates greyhouselb.com. My book is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle — stay tuned for more information on the book launch happening February 28!
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How CC Grey Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.