Life has a habit of getting incredibly busy, especially as a parent. Expectations must be met when you have a sassy little four-year-old to look after. We are in the first week of a new year, and I’m already swamped trying to keep up with an ever-growing list of ambitious tasks. Ironically, the seeming lack of time has also helped me understand something even more important.
When the reality of a full-time career in writing settled in my mind, it also knocked a few screws loose. I felt compelled to meet a daily writing quota, and that was probably the worst thing to do. I have always been amazed by those who register for and successfully complete NaNoWriMo and other write-a-thons. Consistency is the secret ingredient behind a creative’s success, but I learned early on that my approach didn’t pass the popular vote.
It was a lesson delivered by the very real circumstances of my life. I never expected the rollercoaster ride that followed after I wrapped up my academic career in 2021. I have worn many hats since then as a sleep-deprived father, a passionate workaholic, a supportive husband, and a frustrated creative who just couldn’t put pen to paper. Barring the occasional post, I was isolated from my writing projects for nearly four years, and, to be honest, it was probably the best thing that could have happened to me.
A career bordering on a passion can sometimes lack healthy boundaries. I had lofty ambitions, just like every other aspiring writer, but I was also incoherent. Sometimes it is good to let your writing stew a bit.
Good cooking takes time. If you are made to wait, it is to serve you better, and to ensure that you are served a meal fit for a king.
In my case, it wasn’t just what I wrote (or cooked), but my entire creative process (or kitchen). My stew (or curry) has been four years in the making, and it led me to realize the secret ingredient behind my creative process: making time for the things I love.
I couldn’t write, but I could still imagine, and much like an artist’s sketchbook, I now have a compendium of ideas for projects that I have outlined over the last four years. This new-age wave of imagination was the result of giving myself some slack, taking things a little more slowly, and learning to enjoy the small moments. It meant spending time with my daughter. It meant helping my wife recover when she was at her worst. It meant dropping surprises for my family. Most importantly, it meant enjoying the moment for what it is.
Life is too short not to have some fun. To love yesterday, I needed to live today to the fullest, without regrets, so I could live tomorrow with the same feeling. Waltzing into 2026, I have found greater clarity towards my goals and personal ambitions, including completing my graphic novel and pursuing traditional publishing. For more than four years, I have been writing the script for a graphic novel, and this year, I will complete it. But that isn’t all. I am now ready to dive into the deep end and take a shot at the traditional publishing industry. A few projects are in the queue, and I hope to share all that I have learned and continue to learn on the path toward becoming a traditionally published author.
As to when I will actually make it onto the podium of winners, I have no clue. The podium isn’t the end goal either. I just want to write and bring my stories to life. Hey, there is something incredible about believing in the beauty of our dreams, no matter how small or how great. That being said, I hope everyone is having a great start to their 2026! I will see you all next week with another story to share!
The Pensive Reverie 