My decision to focus my career on the humanitarian sector started pretty early, and I’m still happily working within it today. I guess I was one of the lucky ones who knew exactly what I wanted to do. But, while I haven’t left my industry, I have always felt the pull to explore other paths alongside my day job. My latest journey, writing a book, has brought a new kind of challenge to my life.
Although I maybe haven’t had the “most” successful of careers, I certainly haven’t had an unsuccessful one. However, that is not to say I haven’t been pulled in other directions along the way. In fact, that feels more like my natural state. I was just tunnel-visioned long enough with the humanitarian work that I was able to build a career.
The Urge to Explore New Paths
Over the years, I have spent my free time learning carpentry (with the dream of maybe having a small boutique business), renovated houses with an eye toward property development, and even designed and developed multiple board games.
So it was mostly on point for me (if completely absurd) to decide to start writing a book and try my hand as an author in 2025.
I do just want to caveat this: none of this is done through arrogance. I’m deeply aware that I am far from an expert in anything outside the one industry I have built a career in.
When Support Feels Different
My long-suffering partner has always been deeply supportive. This was no different regarding the idea of writing a book, which I dropped on her over coffee on January 2nd with absolutely no warning.
However, the reaction from friends and family felt different this time. No one has been unsupportive, exactly, but the vibe shifted. People seemed more surprised, perhaps more questioning about the decision to dedicate time to writing a book.
A big part of this was my own expectations. For me, Whispers from the Machine quickly became a true passion project I was deeply invested in. It became something I was immensely proud of. This was in sharp contrast to those around me, who just didn’t seem to engage.
My father was perhaps the most deeply disinterested in my latest decision. He is a deeply traditional man who built his own business admirably, but he has little time for the arts or time spent not doing “real work.”
Learning to Write for Myself
Ultimately, this was all on me. They have their own priorities, goals, and focuses. None of them are from reading or writing circles, and none are really involved in the Arts in any way. It was a huge sidestep to ask people to engage with more than polite nods and smiles.
It sounds foolish to say, but it took me longer than it should have to really accept that it was unrealistic, and unfair, to expect people to share my excitement.
Learning to write for me, and me alone, should be enough. I’m getting much better at being okay with that. This is my passion project, and it is fine if I am the only one who enjoys the process. In fact, I am very surprised at how much I have enjoyed it.
Finding Support
This does not mean I need to write in isolation, or that I should. I have discussed in other blogs my process for editorial reviews and utilizing professionals for key insights to improve the book from the first draft to now the seventh.
I have also leaned on market research tools like PickFu. There are so many great resources out there for learning. I’ve followed YouTubers like Alyssa Matesic, Daniel Greene, and Claire Fraise—an excellent author, by the way, who actually pointed me towards PickFu. Even Sandersons web series on creative writing, which is in fact where my joinery started.
One area I need to grow and expand is my reading group. This was something I really tried hard to get working, but it failed to really take off. It is something I need to re-explore in 2026 as I finish the publication of Whispers from the Machine but also push forward with book two in the Stapledon Series.
As with everything, my foray into the world of writing a book has been a journey, and I’m sure it’ll continue to be. Let’s see where we get in 2026.
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