Every Journey Starts Somewhere

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Many years ago I took eight grade English from a teacher named John Koehlmeier. Mr. Kohlmeier was an interesting teacher. We started off doing the usual spelling, grammar, and composition type of work, but at some point he tossed it all out the window. Instead we read stories and analyzed their structure. I learned about things like foreshadowing, complications, conflict, plot climax, and resolution. He taught me that I could write. He made us write so often that I became unafraid of writing a half to three quarter page answer. His class was one of my more formative events in my life.

Fast forward forty years. I’m well into my professional life in technology and security. Writing has been a very important part of my career, but it’s not the type of writing that I enjoy. A couple of years ago, a friend asked me a question. “If failure is off the table, what is the dream?” I hesitated and then surprised myself when I shot back with, “I’m an author working in my home office that looks over the ocean.” Wait, what??

I’ve known for a long time that I wished that I could or would write a book. I felt that I’d like to be an author, but I didn’t feel it was possible. “Sure, others make their living writing, but me? Yeah, that’s not in the cards.” But that answer to my friend shocked me a bit. Not only did I have a dream, but it was and is compelling to me.

It took me a while, but I’ve started writing my book. I’ve stopped saying, “one day.” Instead it is today. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m writing. I‘ve learned some stuff through Brandon Sanderson’s lectures at BYU. I recently attended Writer’s Cantina here in Utah. None of that has made me feel like I know what I’m doing. Instead, I know a little. I’m going to make mistakes, but this journey has begun.

Here’s where I’m at today. I have a rough outline and some ideas of the promises and payoffs that I want to give my future readers. Four of my characters are taking shape and should be interesting people. The first chapter is about 50-75% complete. It felt really good to write it. I’ll tell you more about them soon.

I’ll post updates here on how it’s going, what I’m struggling with, and what I’ve learned. You are very welcome to come along with me on the journey or to take your own. Or both. In fact, if you are holding off on your dream, please get started on it.