🚀 The Power of the Pivot: From Accountant in Training to Published AuthorTen years ago, I made a life-changing decision: I stepped away from the path of becoming an accountant and booked a train ticket to Nice, France, to find the inspiration for my first... Read more
🚀 The Power of the Pivot: From Accountant in Training to Published Author
Ten years ago, I made a life-changing decision: I stepped away from the path of becoming an accountant and booked a train ticket to Nice, France, to find the inspiration for my first book.
To celebrate this significant career pivot and the decade of creativity it unleashed, I'm offering my debut novel, "Cubby’s First French Adventure," as a free ebook download for the next three days only! Details on how to read it are below.
The Story Behind the Switch:
My background was in economics and math, making accounting the "logical" choice. But a lifelong passion for writing. Validated by teachers and recruiters over the years kept nudging me. At 30, feeling disconnected from the world of ledgers, I took the leap. I rented a tiny studio in Nice, France, and committed to a four-week writing and observation trip along the Côte d'Azur.
That trip, fueled by writing down daily observations (like a confused man and a misplaced hubcap!), became the foundation of my book. It took nine months to complete, writing through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy. Nicknamed Cubby by his Mum. Seeing that first ebook open on my screen was one of the proudest moments of my career. A true sense of achievement from completing a project that felt good, felt right.
Three Key Lessons I Learned from My Creative Pivot:
Start Now, Start Small (YouTube Channel KYD Inspiration):
Don't wait for the perfect idea or time. Look at your current environment and write down three things you find unusual, interesting, or even boring. That's your first three bullet points to write one thousand words about.
Leave an Idea on the Table:
Don't exhaust all your best ideas in one go. Always save something for tomorrow. By withholding a decision (e.g., French vs. American character), you test both paths and ensure your final choice serves the story's problem. A great concept should always solve a problem.
Go to Happy Places:
Whether it's a park, a local coffee shop, or a free museum, find the place that allows you to smile, relax, and clear your mind. Mental space is critical for clarity and creativity.
My hope is that reading "Cubby’s First French Adventure" inspires you to start that project, return to that objective, or make that career change you've been putting off. It's never too late to pivot.
Thanks for reading! James
Ten years ago, I made a life-changing decision: I stepped away from the path of becoming an accountant and booked a train ticket to Nice, France, to find the inspiration for my first book.
To celebrate this significant career pivot and the decade of creativity it unleashed, I'm offering my debut novel, "Cubby’s First French Adventure," as a free ebook download for the next three days only! Details on how to read it are below.
The Story Behind the Switch:
My background was in economics and math, making accounting the "logical" choice. But a lifelong passion for writing. Validated by teachers and recruiters over the years kept nudging me. At 30, feeling disconnected from the world of ledgers, I took the leap. I rented a tiny studio in Nice, France, and committed to a four-week writing and observation trip along the Côte d'Azur.
That trip, fueled by writing down daily observations (like a confused man and a misplaced hubcap!), became the foundation of my book. It took nine months to complete, writing through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy. Nicknamed Cubby by his Mum. Seeing that first ebook open on my screen was one of the proudest moments of my career. A true sense of achievement from completing a project that felt good, felt right.
Three Key Lessons I Learned from My Creative Pivot:
Start Now, Start Small (YouTube Channel KYD Inspiration):
Don't wait for the perfect idea or time. Look at your current environment and write down three things you find unusual, interesting, or even boring. That's your first three bullet points to write one thousand words about.
Leave an Idea on the Table:
Don't exhaust all your best ideas in one go. Always save something for tomorrow. By withholding a decision (e.g., French vs. American character), you test both paths and ensure your final choice serves the story's problem. A great concept should always solve a problem.
Go to Happy Places:
Whether it's a park, a local coffee shop, or a free museum, find the place that allows you to smile, relax, and clear your mind. Mental space is critical for clarity and creativity.
My hope is that reading "Cubby’s First French Adventure" inspires you to start that project, return to that objective, or make that career change you've been putting off. It's never too late to pivot.
Thanks for reading! James
